Desperately Need Help! Extreme coolant leak!

[Arkansas_V8]

Well, I tightened up the water pump. Put a gallon of coolant in. Made it about 2 miles before it started to smoke and lost power. Turned around, truck shut off. I think the water pump may be entirely missing at least one bolt, but I’m not sure.
What else could cause it to overheat so quickly?

Missing bolt above the bolt in your pic for sure. You can get all four at any auto parts store. Get a new pump, gaskets are included.

Hopefully you havent over heated so bad as to blow a head gasket.

Nothing I can think of would cause red oil, unless you used red coolant, and have a blown head gasket(hope not). Hopefully you checked the dipstick against the fire wall.

Does the oil fill cap have milk shake on the bottom/inside?

YouTube will show how to replace pump(It NEEDS a new pump) Then check back in, and update.

Keep the radiator cap off why it warms up, and make sure its topped off. Is it bubbling when its warmed up, or flowing around?

Lets get the coolant leak fixed, then we will move to whatever other issues you have.

Do not drive two miles next time, replace the pump, and idle it at home, and rev it a few times. Check for leaks, and watch the temp gauge.

If you are unsure of the right dipstick, or anything post pictures, and ask us, or Google pictures for a SBC.

Dont get discouraged, we will help as much as possible, and get you on the right track.

You dont have to keep putting in coolant, use water for now, save some money, you can drain the water for coolant once the leak/overheating is fixed.

 

[SquareRoot]

Maybe his truck has the three dipstick option? I heard of an old lady that burnt up her engine. The mechanic said the dipstick was bone dry and asked if she had ever added oil? She proudly said " No, it's an automatic".

 

[emtrichel]

Missing bolt above the bolt in your pic for sure. You can get all four at any auto parts store. Get a new pump, gaskets are included.

Hopefully you havent over heated so bad as to blow a head gasket.

Nothing I can think of would cause red oil, unless you used red coolant, and have a blown head gasket(hope not). Hopefully you checked the dipstick against the fire wall.

Does the oil fill cap have milk shake on the bottom/inside?

YouTube will show how to replace pump(It NEEDS a new pump) Then check back in, and update.

Keep the radiator cap off why it warms up, and make sure its topped off. Is it bubbling when its warmed up, or flowing around?

Lets get the coolant leak fixed, then we will move to whatever other issues you have.

Do not drive two miles next time, replace the pump, and idle it at home, and rev it a few times. Check for leaks, and watch the temp gauge.

If you are unsure of the right dipstick, or anything post pictures, and ask us, or Google pictures for a SBC.

Dont get discouraged, we will help as much as possible, and get you on the right track.

You dont have to keep putting in coolant, use water for now, save some money, you can drain the water for coolant once the leak/overheating is fixed.

 

[emtrichel]

Missing bolt above the bolt in your pic for sure. You can get all four at any auto parts store. Get a new pump, gaskets are included.

Hopefully you havent over heated so bad as to blow a head gasket.

Nothing I can think of would cause red oil, unless you used red coolant, and have a blown head gasket(hope not). Hopefully you checked the dipstick against the fire wall.

Does the oil fill cap have milk shake on the bottom/inside?

YouTube will show how to replace pump(It NEEDS a new pump) Then check back in, and update.

Keep the radiator cap off why it warms up, and make sure its topped off. Is it bubbling when its warmed up, or flowing around?

Lets get the coolant leak fixed, then we will move to whatever other issues you have.

Do not drive two miles next time, replace the pump, and idle it at home, and rev it a few times. Check for leaks, and watch the temp gauge.

If you are unsure of the right dipstick, or anything post pictures, and ask us, or Google pictures for a SBC.

Dont get discouraged, we will help as much as possible, and get you on the right track.

You dont have to keep putting in coolant, use water for now, save some money, you can drain the water for coolant once the leak/overheating is fixed.

Used green coolant and didn't see green in the oil. Also, no milkiness whatsoever in the oil but I didn't check the cap. Picked up new water pump w/ gaskets and new bolts. Will update when I'm done installing water pump.

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[Arkansas_V8]

Used green coolant and didn't see green in the oil. Also, no milkiness whatsoever in the oil but I didn't check the cap. Picked up new water pump w/ gaskets and new bolts. Will update when I'm done installing water pump.

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Sounds good.

 

[Craig 85]

That looks like a transmission dipstick due to the red color of the fluid. Here's a picture of what my '79 looked like. The yellow is the transmission dipstick and the red is the engine.

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[Rusty Nail]

Definately the transmission dipstick.

 

[shiftpro]

Before long the OP will be buying tools... and parts... and maybe even a big block!

 

[Rusty Nail]

The engine bay looks great bsed only on the last pic, I dig it! You've got the big air cleaner and everything! Lucky.
How about a pic of the scoop at the other end of that duct? I see your accordian ducting there and it looks nice, but is the other end as intended still?

 

[Craig 85]

The engine bay looks great bsed only on the last pic, I dig it! You've got the big air cleaner and everything! Lucky.
How about a pic of the scoop at the other end of that duct? I see your accordian ducting there and it looks nice, but is the other end as intended still?

The '79 was my previous truck, but here's the under hood pic's from when I sold it. I bought the taller lid from Pick N Pull for $5-10 and the snorkel tube from LMC. I don't have a picture of the inlet at the core support for the '79, but I cut the end like I did in picture 3 on my K30. LMC sells the inlet too. The snorkel and inlets are specific to 73-80 and 81-86 (inlet up to '91).

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=154

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[Big Chip]

Is this another thread where we solve the problem but the OP never shows up again so we never find out whether it was for real?

 

[eskimomann209]

Hahaha that’d be our luck
Use and abuse us
Not even a smile or a kiss on the mouth after

 

[Arkansas_V8]

Hope not. He oughta be back.

 

[Big Chip]

Hope not. He oughta be back.

You’re clearly not familiar with history or you’re unusually optimistic.

 

[Arkansas_V8]

You’re clearly not familiar with history or you’re unusually optimistic.

Dude checked the wrong dipstick. He will be back for something. Lol