Terry - I can see your replies just fine, must be a southern hemisphere thing
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I'm well aware of the cracking head issue or at least the previous engine owner was because he experienced it first-hand. Fortunately for me he bought a brand new Allhead (aussie company) replacement which is supposed to be much stronger as well as eliminating the design flaw dead spot at the back of head where an air bubble can form by attaching a screw in fitting that sends coolant from the back of the head to the upper rad hose. In addition I'm running the Allhead "improved" water pump so I'm less worried about the head now. I also have a Surf radiator.
I was running a Allpro coolant bypass fitting on my lines which meant that my engine was not even approaching the half way mark on my temp guage and actually ran much cooler than the gasser. I got rid of that for practical reasons when I rerouted my coolant lines to heat my veggie oil and it's running hotter but still hasn't ever surpassed the halfway mark. I haven't worried about the temp guage mod because I have an EGT installed that seems like a much more accurate real-time measurement of how hot the engine is getting than coolant. However I can push my EGT's to over 1300 F on hills. This is partly due the fact that I can't advance my timing to the correct place on the pump because I converted it from an electronic pump to a mechanical and the dimensions of the intake prevent me from doing so. I am thinking about advancing the pump from the pulley under the timing cover and then "retarding" the pump via the mark to match it up but haven't had the gumption to do so yet. There is a definite loss in power with the mechanical pump but I think it is better for veg.
Good to see another Toy dieseler on board, have fun!
Dust - check pm's