[prumora1]

I have big block ford putting out big c.i.d's. want to know if the block can be filled almost completely to top of deck at head mounting surface. engine will be on methanol and really want to cool heads only but not sure.

what you'all think

[ap72]

Well, it depends on what you are planning to do with it, and what you you consider big power, and how do you plan to circulate the coolant?

[prumora1]

the engine is 572 c.i.d, 4.5 bore x 4.5 stroke, solid roller cam, with 4 bolt main caps. the engine is going to be run on methanol for drag racing. the heads are aluminum with soft plugs at the ends of the heads, I wanted to run the coolant to the first head with a external crossover to the second head and the out of second head to radiator.

[ap72]

If you're just running coolant through the heads and only at short durations (drag racing) then you can fill that block all the way up to the deck. Obviously a stock water pump won't work but it sounds like you already have that covered.

[prumora1]

this isn't my first racing engine, but it is the first one that im filling the block,
due to the fact that the engine is going to be running for a few minutes at a time, I figured that cooling the heads would be enough.

[ap72]

Originally Posted by prumora1

this isn't my first racing engine, but it is the first one that im filling the block,
due to the fact that the engine is going to be running for a few minutes at a time, I figured that cooling the heads would be enough.

It should be fine, just watch your tune and make sure you use the best oil you can, may want to install an oil cooler with a thermostat and temp gauge too.

[LilSmoke]

Is this a door car or what? If its a dragster or altered, you shouldnt need to run coolant.Methanol is a coolant.Mixture controls temp. Its usually hard to get it hot enough, It will actually cool down going down the track. You can circulate, but i would try to maintain at least 190,just to try and burn the fuel.You dont need to have the idle so rich that it milks the oil either.Just give it enough barrel so it wont hesitate off idle. Even with that size engine it wont need over 2.3 gpm. I didnt ask if its carb or injection. I would say no to the oil cooler.If you take a heat gun to the pan, you will see what i mean.

[prumora1]

it is a door car, 63 falcon gasser, I have a small block mustang on methanol and the coolant doesn't get hot enough to register on gauge, however exhaust temps are rite where they should be. idle about 600 to 650 depending on day temp, and w.o.t. at 7000 rpm exhaust temp is 1250 to 1350 again depending on day temp.

with that being said I figure I can fill a block completely, just cooling the heads would be fine.

[painted jester]

A common practice is running heads and block with no cooling passages at all since before the 60s when running methanol! And also running a solid block with cooling passages in the heads only with an electric pump and water tank (surge tank) when running gas or alcohol at the drag strip. I did for quite a few years in the A & B gas classes!

Jester

[prumora1]

its been very helpful, everyone has been very knowledgeable.