445 FE Cooling system Bleeding and Engine Breathers

[kdavies3]

Hi Guys,
I'm after some advice on two fronts.
Firstly I fired up the beast for the first time last week it ran for around 10 minutes and then puked it's coolant.
In the UK we have to run a screen demister heater system to pass our approval test when building kit cars.
My cooling circuit is from the water pump bypass on top of my Edelbrock Victor pump to my heater matrix - matrix back to the top front of the intake manifold near the back of the thermostat.
Water pump inlet from bottom hose and header tank to radiator top hose.
I currently don't have any extra bypass holes in my thermostat.
Do you think I need to drill some? I thought as I was using a heater matrix I wouldn't need to but hey!

Next thing is how should plumb my engine breather system?
I currently have just open filter breathers on each valve cover and on the front of the inlet manifold, the tapping on the rear of my manifold is blanked off at the moment.
I have a single holley carb on a Holman Moody manifold. The carb Vac connection currently blanked off too.

Any help and advice gladly received Chaps.
BTW HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Grubby]

I run a PVC on one VC and a vent cap on the other. The PVC is plumbed to the port on the rear of my carb.

Most FE guys have a small hall in the top of their thermostat. Mine is about 3/16".

FEs in Cobras need burped. Air can get trapped in the top of the intake. Mine will work the air out with the nose of the car raised some. Alternately, you could remove the manifold plug or temp sending unit that is likely mounted on top of your intake near the front and let the air out.

A FE is a massive engine for the UK market. I am sure your friends are envious.

Half of my work team is in Derby. They all love to ride in my Cobra when they visit.

John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kdavies3

I fired up the beast for the first time last week it ran for around 10 minutes and then puked it's coolant.

FEs are prone to air pockets when you change your coolant. What works for me is to jack the nose of the car up high and crack the heater hose fitting in the front of the intake manifold to let the air out as the coolant heats up. Regarding breathers, you want a PCV valve, preferably routed to something like the brake booster at the base of the carb. A PCV valve in the right (American passengers) valve cover with a breather in the left (American drivers) side valve cover works well.

[kdavies3]

Thanks Guys I think I'll pull the stat and add add a couple of holes in the stat.
Also raise the front higher when i run it up again.
I'm currently waiting for a new high torque mini starter from summit as i think i killed the original stock one, it was just going clunk and smoking.
I have alloy Cobra Le Mans valve covers, any idea what PVC I need to fit them?

[mickmate]

PCV Valve Breather Plate PCV Valve Breather Plate [] - $47.00 : Acton Custom Enterprises, Custom Metal for Cobras

[kdavies3]

Hi Nick,
so if I fitted one of those what would i fit on the valve covers?
Filters?

[Grubby]

I use this to hold my PCV. https://www.mustangsunlimited.com/it...p?T1=86766C+01

It uses a standard Ford PCV. NAPA AUTO PARTS

I couldn't find any pictures of my engine that showed the RH rocker cover.

John

[mickmate]

You need breathers on the motors especially if they are stroked with more windage or if you are running high or a wide range of RPM. Originally they had a breather/fill cap in the front of the manifolds. When that went away it was done with valve cover caps.

[patrickt]

Of course some people might say "Hey, it would seem that for every piston that is travelling that long stroke down, there's another piston that is making the same trek in the opposite direction -- so it evens out and doesn't make a difference." But not me....