Jan-21-2017 09:59 AM
Jan-24-2017 06:09 PM
Jan-23-2017 07:51 PM
Jan-23-2017 05:34 PM
RLS7201 wrote:
I didn't say it's common. I said there was some history. The engines I was involved with, hydro locked while sitting and destroyed them selves when the starter was engaged.
It's really a shame when a flaw is presented and brand name lovers are offended. I spent many years of my younger life as a automotive professional and may have seen more failures than hobbits.
Richard
Jan-23-2017 04:57 PM
turbojimmy wrote:RLS7201 wrote:
454s have some history of antifreeze leaks from head gaskets and intake manifolds, causing hydro lock. Hydro lock can cause broken crankshafts, bent rods and broken pistons. I have personally been involved in the repair of two such cases of hydro lock.
Richard
I have never heard of this happening except on boats for obvious reasons. The 454 is a very popular marine power plant. I googled it to see if it's a common problem with the 454 or any other engine in particular. It just isn't.
There was no evidence of a head gasket leak on mine when the #3 piston came apart. You would have to have a massive, instantaneous intrusion of coolant in order to hydrolock an engine. Not saying it can't happen, but it's virtually impossible without very obvious signs of a head gasket leak over a very long period of time or some other catastrophic failure that causes the head gasket to blow. I had a Grand National that a shop apprentice stole after hours. He ran 30 PSI of boost through it street racing without knowing how to operate the alcohol injection system. The head gaskets on both sides blew in about 4 different places. But it didn't hydrolock. Beat the **** out of the crankshaft and main bearings but that was from detonation, not coolant intrusion into the cylinders. (yes I sued the shop owner, no I never got paid. Cost me $6k to fix it). But I digress....
The worst cases of poorly designed head gaskets I've come across in my shade tree mechanic life are on the older dodge inline 6s (like in the K-cars) and the Nortstar V8s. I've had several and none ever hydrolocked. They'd lose coolant at an alarming rate - but they'd burn it. Never hydrolocked. Ironically I did have an '86 T-bird with a nasty head gasket leak that I drove that way for years. It did hydrolock after going through a deep puddle in front of my house. Thankfully I wasn't going very fast. I was able to pull the plugs, crank it over a few times, put the plugs back in and start it up. I was only 15 minutes late for work!
Again, not saying it can't happen but I wouldn't consider it common and to say 454s have a "history of it" is just plain misleading.
Jan-23-2017 02:12 AM
RLS7201 wrote:
454s have some history of antifreeze leaks from head gaskets and intake manifolds, causing hydro lock. Hydro lock can cause broken crankshafts, bent rods and broken pistons. I have personally been involved in the repair of two such cases of hydro lock.
Richard
Jan-22-2017 10:15 AM
Jan-22-2017 08:07 AM
Jan-22-2017 08:05 AM
Jan-22-2017 07:34 AM
hanko wrote:
The 454 is a great motor, i ran one well over 100,000 in my 91 pace arrow. The need some attention once and a while.
Jimmy, I wanted to tell you, i know where there is a MoHO just like yours for sale in michigan here if anyones interested
Jan-22-2017 06:26 AM
turbojimmy wrote:
First of all, this is in the wrong forum - hopefully it will get moved.
Second, there are people lined up on the Ford and Chevy sides pretty much just like Dems and Republicans. And like political views, if you subscribe to one side or the other you're not likely to be swayed to see the other side. That being said, it was not a mistake to buy the Chevy. The 454 is a tried-and-true power plant with out any critical flaws. Yes every engine design has its common quirks, but head gaskets aren't one of them on the 454.
$18k for a head gasket repair is obscene, even if it requires removing the engine. I would bet it can be changed through the doghouse. If so, it's a $1,000 job at most. About 1/4 of that if you do it yourself.
Jan-22-2017 05:57 AM
Jan-21-2017 11:12 PM
Jan-21-2017 06:36 PM
Jan-21-2017 06:16 PM