1985 Delta 88 with a 1968 350 Olds Rocket

It's been very hot here over the past few days. Temps in the high 90's low 100's with very high humidty. Pea soup anyone?

This all started when it got hot out, so I think it's realted.

After I park the car and the temp spiked, as it always does, I get a small puddle of antifreeze on the ground. It's on the ground under the right rear of the block. Pretty much right above the area of the heater control valve and the heater core. Looks to be more under the block that the body. It seems to do this more when the temp goes past 210 when the car is just shut off.

Oil's clean, antifreeze overflow is full (don't know about the raditor can't open it now, but I would think it's full if the overflow is at the right level).

Also I know these motors can get to 240 without a problem, but is it safe to put in a "water wetter" for the summer and would I have to flsuh it before the winter?

Would a lower temp sender for the electric fan help make it cooler?

 

Well I just found wetness long the fender lining behind the right front wheel, It runs down the fender lining and the bottom of the fender lining across the entire thing is wet

Look at the pics and tell me what you think

 

I bet you have a leaking heater core. turn on the heater and run it on high for a while with air going to the foot outlet. Then steal your wife's make up mirror and put it in the fridge for a while to get it cold, then put it in front of the vent and see if you get some slimey, sticky goo from the condensation on it. If you do, the heater core is leaking.

 

I agree with Oldsguy - I would bet the heater cor is leaking and it is draining out through the A/C drain (better than into the car).

After the engine is shut down, cooling stops and residual heat buildup pressurizes the coolant system more, so that explains why it leaks when the engine is shut off.
Do you know what t-stat temp you have? If you have a 195 then running electric fans more may not make much of a difference. I have run a 180 t-stat in my 86 and the emission crap still works fine. I would go with a 180 if you are not now.
Doesn't coolant have a "water wetter" type substance in it already?

As for the temps and humidity, sounds like you live in TX...

Oldsguy - I like the mirror trick; I need to remember that one...

 

When I updated the motor I put in a 180* thermo. I didn't want to do the 195* one

OK so what to do with this heater core thing? This will be the 4th one I put in this car. First one was orginal 1985, the 2nd one I broke putting in, now the 3rd one is leaking Do they make a HD one?

 

Three heater cores??
Wow.... At least you know how to replace it...
That is a job I have never done (nor want to...)

I never heard of a heavy duty core, but I have heard that brass is preferred over aluminum... The costlier ones may be of brass, but not sure.

The easy way to stop it now would be to just bypass the core with a coupler or something like that.
Of course here in TX, that would almost be a permanent fix...

 

Redog,
Can't help but notice the rust free wheel well. Most viewers from non-rust states won't appreciate this but I do. Hope the rest of the car is that clean.

 

I'm in the process of rigging in a heater box from a 65 Impala. That gigantic box in the deltas is god awful. Make sure your heater core isn't hitting any protruding screws in there.

 

Well, I don't know how much salt they use where you live, but even when I lived in Massachusetts, the plastic inner fenders didn't rust...

 

LOL.

 

HA HA the's rust on the car alright.

The front of the fenders, both sides, between the bumper and the wheel. One's rusted though, and the other is about to.

Might have to get the free fix at the wife's school