Re: Lost of coolant

Posted by Mike Flanagan on September 02, 1997 at 22:28:35

In Reply to: Lost of coolant
posted by Ray on September 02, 1997 at 21:38:59

Ray, your problem is no more unique than your thoughts to resolve it. In my opinion your thinking is directed in the wrong direction. Rather than what can I do to improve the system think about what can be done to restore the system to it's original condition. Model A's, when operated as intended, did not overheat.
Several things for you to check
Does your radiator have a baffle in the top. To tell look down into the top of the radiator, if you can see the tubes then you do not have a baffle. That is a problem. At high speeds the water pump may be pumping to much water and with no baffle that water that exceeds the flow of the radiator must go somewhere, it goes up and out rather than down and through. Some have ground off a portion of the vanes on the water pump to slow down the water flow.
Another problem with some radiators is that the top of the overflow tube may be to low. When you drive the water expands and exits via the tube resulting in a water level lower than desireable. If the top of the tube is to low extend it with a piece of vacuum hose to about 1/2 inch below the top of the radiator neck.
How fast do you drive when on the highway. Depending on the ambient temp if the engine is being pushed to hard with an original radiator this too can cause overheat.
An "Old Timer" trick to slow the water down is to put a washer in the top radiator hose at the top of the outlet. If the water is circulating thru the radiator to fast it has no time to cool. If you reduce the diameter of the outlet neck to, let's say 3/4", this should slow the water down.
Is yours an original radiator? Sometimes over the years the fins seperate from the tubes (hard to see visually) enough that the efficiency of the radiator is diminished. A good radiator man can tell if this is your problem.
Also check your timing. At full advance and full throttle you may not be advanced enough although I doubt this is the problem or you wouldn't be getting the speed.
I have no experience at speeds over about 47 but my '31 will cruise through the AZ desert at 120 ambient and never get over 180, even climbing.
Hope I have helped....
God speed UNDER 50.
Mike Flanagan, The Model A Fool.
: I'm losing water via the overflow tube of my 28 tudor.The radiator has been cleaned and is now at a 40 gpm flow rate.Timing seems correct and there's no sign of air bubbles when I look into the upper tank reservoir, so I assume the head gasket is ok. Car can't be made to overheat while idling in the driveway or normal driving on back roads, but will throw out water out the overflow when driving at high speeds, resulting in overheating.I'm thinking of installing a coolant recovery system.Any suggestions? Is size, shape or placement of reservoir tank critial? thanks for your help.

Follow Ups:
Re: Lost of coolant- problem solved Ray September 05, 1997 at 18:42:33(0)

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