new engine in 36 phaeton G.M.

[G.M.]

I blew a piston in the old engine a few months ago and took the replacement
engine for a 100 mile test ride today. Mostly open roads at 45/50 MPH.
Outside temperature in the 90's temp gauge never got to normal line.
Ran 1/8" to a 1/4" below normal. Checking with the laser thermometer
it never got over 170. Radiator was rodded out before last engine went.
Skips pumps, tight radiator cap and plastic overflow bottle. Radiator was
full up near filler cap and had 1/3 fill of coolant in small recovery bottle
after shut down. Will check tomorrow when it cools down but I expect
the coolant to return to the engine as the engine cools below 155 and a
vacuum in the system pulls the water back. At the half way or at 50 miles
we were low on gas 1/8th showing on the gauge. Couldn't find a non corn
station and drove back at 45. Got to the station I use and the recreational
pump was being worked on so I got 2.4 gallons of corn gas and the gauge
went to right on 1/4 tank so we limped the 50 miles at about 25 MPG.
Engine is smooth and quiet, checked valve clearance and intakes were
.012, exhausts .013/. This was an engine someone gave me about 20
or more years ago. The guy Charlie White from Ohio then Florida now
resting in peace gave it to me for doing some welding for him. He had it
rebuilt and started it and water was leaking into #5 cylinder. The heads
were off and there was a crack from the stud below #5 about 5/8 long
above and below the stud. I stitched the cracks, peened the stitches and
smoothed the stitches flush with the block. Installed new studs with
The Right Stuff, copper head gasket and 3MMM copper spray. Retorqued
4 times and after getting hot checked again and all at 53 inch lbs. Didn't
see any leaks around head nuts or edges of head. On to the next one.
G.M.