Hi guys,
I think i may have a blown head gasket or stuffed head but not sure. Have just put a " rebuilt" 186 into the HR project. 60 thou over, new mild cam,new hydraulic lifters, X2 twin strommies, extractors , new rings, bearings, welch plugs, ACL gasket set, new water pump, brand new radiator etc, etc. The head is a Yella Terra, though not new.The engine has only run for a total of about 20 minutes ( bedding the cam and lifters in )My problem is that when I start the engine, nearly immediately coolant,flows from the overflow hose ( no catch tank as yet). The engine has also begun to fire up only when when I release the key from the start/cranking position. I am thinking this is a head/valve problem and may be related to the radiator pressure prob. I removed the thermostat but still have the same problem. Any ideas?? Thanks in advance.....Brian

If its pressurising the radiator then it must be a head gasket issue. The staring problem is probably in the ignition switch its self.

thanks guys for the input. Dr Terry, it is the original ign switch, but a new harness. I`ll check the wiring. I thought that I had heard somewhere years ago, that firing on release of the starter sw, indicated a valve/ timing issue. I`ll go back to the drawing board. Thanks again everyone........Brian