Pinto 2.0l smoke out of upper coolant tube?!?

[redcar9]

I have a rather strange problem. The engine was recently rebuilt and only has break in time on it.

Just got the car together and checking for oil pressure/ leaks. It hasn't been running longer than 30secs or so.


https://youtu.be/D_aVyLHwuoQ

https://youtu.be/WVtCug6rkoQ


Is this normal for the pinto?

There was some left over water / coolant in the block. Is it just heating up and coming off?

[Rick Kirchner]

Anything that was in the head as a result of cleaning or machining is getting hot and vaporizing.

I don't know what the point is of running the car with no water. If you are worried about oil system leaks then drive the oil pump with an old belt and pulley and a decent drill. Running it for 20 sec is only going to show you the gross leaks anyway.

[redcar9]

Anything that was in the head as a result of cleaning or machining is getting hot and vaporizing.

I don't know what the point is of running the car with no water. If you are worried about oil system leaks then drive the oil pump with an old belt and pulley and a decent drill. Running it for 20 sec is only going to show you the gross leaks anyway.

Cool, Yea I was just looking for gross oil leaks before I took the time to put water/coolant into it. I will add that now. Thanks so much for saving the day for a new person!

[billtebbutt]

....that savant Peter Egan did the same thing on every motor he rebuilt. Ran it in the car for a minute w/o coolant on its first start. I think he wrote about it in R&T when he restored his E-Type. Something about listening to the exhaust manifold crackle slightly as it cooled afterwards, while smoking a Marlborough and sipping whiskey

It seems odd to me to do so. However, if it is good enough for PE, then......

best
bt

[redcar9]

....that savant Peter Egan did the same thing on every motor he rebuilt. Ran it in the car for a minute w/o coolant on its first start. I think he wrote about it in R&T when he restored his E-Type. Something about listening to the exhaust manifold crackle slightly as it cooled afterwards, while smoking a Marlborough and sipping whiskey

It seems odd to me to do so. However, if it is good enough for PE, then......

best
bt

That's freaking wild! Such a cool story.

[10rmotor]

When I first install a new motor I don't bother with water either. I only run it for maybe 20 seconds to check for gross oil leaks. If its all good I fill up the cooling system, bleed the rad, and start it and top it up.

[jrh3]

Cannot imagine the water pump likes running dry.

If it’s difficult differentiating between an oil and water leak some folks just remove one variable on start up.