Posted by Vaughn [172.69.67.174] on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 09:39:06 :
Well, I finally installed a rebuilt radiator that was not ready when I did my conversion and the old one I used started to leak. During the process, I did some hood alignment due to the front of the hood rubbing against the shell. The images at the link show the difference and now the gaps pretty well match each other. I inserted a small nut in the front hood hinge support that pushed the hood back about 1/8 inch, and adjusted the tie rods so there was sufficient tension on the hood prop rods to hold the hood in places when raised, but to too much where it's difficult to release the rods. It all turned out pretty well.
I originally used Prestone Antifreeze 50/50, 10 year stuff, but I didn't like the effects on the metal, so this time I used a different antifreeze. I Zerex by Valvoline for older vehicles, it's a concentrate, and also a conditioner, RMI-25, that has good reviews, and hopefully things will turn out better. If you use Zerex, be careful, there is another green bottle used for Asian vehicles.
For those that have installed a V8, keep an eye on bolt tension in the front area especially if the square washers are flat from use and age, they have a tendency to loosen up from additional vibration, I lost one on each side of the radiator at the bottom, and others were loose. I installed grade 8 flat washers, lock washers, and bolts this time, until I can get new square washers.
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