Technical Overheating SBC (time to expose my ignorance)

That's one SWEEEEEETTT lookin' ride!!! I've always had a soft spot for '56's!
On a small side note, if you still have the old head gasket, try comparing the coolant transfer holes to see if they are the same size, Like 6sally6 said earlier. I've also had perfectly functioning thermostat's start sticking, after they were exposed to air.

 

I understood that before I asked the question, but it doesn't mean that there wasn't something that may have triggered his Dad to think there was a problem. My Mother also suffered from that yet she could also be surprisingly sharp at certain times.
As the OP said, there was an alternator noise that originated the response that something was wrong. I simply wondered if there may have actually been some basis for what he thought was wrong. My best wishes to the OP and his Dad as I know how difficult it can be. The OP must be a very good son to attempt to fix something he knew wasn't wrong just to appease his father's wishes.

 

Put your timing light on it and check timing. Then bring the rpm's up and watch to see if the timing mark moves indicating it is advancing. Do this before you pull the heads! If you don't see it advancing, then repair or replace the old HEI distributor.

 

I guess I can learn something here, but isn't 4-6 degrees btdc slow? Shouldn't it be 10-12 degrees?

 

I'll go back and mess with timing as suggested. Anything beats yanking off a head in this climate.

 

Was it a head gasket for a 400 chevy ? May be different from other head gaskets. Also thinking timing

 

Most of my hei are @ 12 to 14 btdc and all in by 2600 for a total of 34 to 36 btdc with out vacuum hoked up. With vacuum on manifold vacuum

 

Is it running like it’s slow on timing or that the timing is way different than it was before ? Does it feel lazy? Any run on or pinging? Most body shops have those coolant recovery/ fill systems that hook up with an 5gallon jug and air hose that are good on modern cars with systems that are prone to air locking. I’d try that before pulling a head.
By the way, sorry about your dad. I’m going through the same thing with my dad, not long ago he wrecked his 22,000 original mile, 4 speed Galaxy into his 38 Deluxe Coupe trying to park it in the garage.

 

Going to retard the timing about 10 degrees when I get home from work, see what that does. Seems to have plenty of pep, doesn't ping under acceleration.

 

You might want to see what the timing does when you rev up the engine...

I doubt it needs to be retarded. It might need to be advanced.

 

Thanks @squirrel I always get those confused.

 

All the Chevy's I worked on liked to have 38 deg. total.!

just my 3.5 cents

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