In a message dated 10/20/99 12:31:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
twwood@mail.mia.bellsouth.net writes:
> Tom Burt wrote:
>
> > I'm baaack. After a couple of months of torture at work, I've decide to
> > haunt the oletruck pages again.
> > Good to see the oletruck chat again.
> >
> > While off line, I tore the front off my 327 by removing the water pump
> > (defective - squealed => leaked), replacing front main seal/timing cover,
> > replaced steel freeze plugs with brass, and replaced outlet, hoses and
> > fittings.
> > Two questions:
> >
> > 1.) When removing the lower pulley, I noticed that the 7/16 bolt came
out
> > with galled threads (I had to sit down in amazement and shock over this
> > one). The PO should definitely be shot! I also noticed that the water
> > pump and crank pulleys were mismatched (different groove spacing). What
> > was this guy thinking? How did I miss this during the sale? Jeeze!
> >
> > Pulling the harmonic balancer (H/B) worked fine with the proper tool.
> > Thinking that I could somewhat correct this problem, I whipped open my
> > rollaway drawer filled with assorted taps. The tap I had seemed too
> > lightweight for a hardened crank (good only for aluminum) and I shuddered
> > at the thought of breaking it off at this stage of the game. So, I
> > refrained from the activity because I couldn't position myself to see the
> > hole straight-on anyway.
> > I lieu of tapping, I decided to clean up the bolt instead using a good
die.
>
> > The operation was successful, however; I still have reservations about
> the
> > damaged crank threads and how to correct the problem.
> > I replaced the H/B with gritted teeth because the tool to press it in was
> > barely threaded into the crank, so needless to say, I was on pins and
> > needles the whole time. Fortuneatly, the 7/16 bolt appears to be snugged
> > down pretty tight.
> >
> > What I fear is that I have remove the main crank to rejuvenate the
threads.
>
> > Is there any alternative?
> >
> > 2.) While I was under the hood, I decided to pull/ flush the radiator and
> > replace the thermostat. I drove it to work today and noticed the temp
> > steady at about 190 deg.
> >
> > I am correct to assume that a 180 deg thermostat is sufficient to use on
a
> > 327 with no A/C?
> >
> > Tom B. '57 Stepside 3200
> >
> > oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
Unless this is a high output motor, you'll probably be okay as is, a
majority of early SBC's did not even have the crank snout drilled and tapped
for a bolt anyways (neither does my 235).
Now if you're making a lot of HP or doing some high winding, then I might
be concerned about it, but if it's a moderate driver, you shuold be okay.
A 180 stat is fine.
Mike
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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