You can run an engine that'* hot for a good ways without doing permanent damage. I had a 91 Beretta with the 3.1 in it. It got ran hot for about 20 miles with no damage at all.

Good to hear your cars in running order still.

With the cast iron block and heads I thought we did in fact have at least a fighting chance.....

Yeah, those iron heads can really take a pounding.

I went for a drive after my cam install and after getting about five miles away, the end cap gasket blew, the coolant dumped, the idiot light went ding-ding-ding, and the engine bay started steaming.

The Northstars can run without coolant*, but not the 3800. The two of us in the car used some creative driving to get it back home. No permanent damage, either. Glad to hear yours survived, too.

Good to hear that the Norhstars are tough because my wife has one in her 08 STS. That little v8 really wakes up at high rpms. Had a coil pack failure and heated steering wheel issue but all repaired under warranty...Cool car and she loves it. Seems to be staying clean and dry when inspect it at oil changes...Ohh BTW 8 quarts of Mobil 1 Synthetic...Yikes LOL oh well just part of it..