Throwing coolant from top of radiator.

I will definitely try flushing the radiator and out see what happens from there; seems to be a good starting point prior to pulling the head. As for the area around the neck, I actually replaced the beck a couple years back and the solder is still holding good so I don't see any cracks there as of now. However, as for the water around the head, the main area I saw it was on the last side of the block about halfway down the head or so, in between the 2 & 3 area....thanks for the help thus far, I'll let you know what I come up with.
 
Gritty,
Sounds the same, Minerva was leaking UNDER the shell, across the tank, & blowing back on the PASSENGER side. Soon as I removed the shell, I could see the STAINS.
Bill W.
 
Hi K,

As far as the head leak, I wish someone would chime in to recommend a very good added coolant sealer that they actually "experienced" and that worked to help seal a minor head gasket leak.

Your painted hood is too beautiful to ruin with coolant spills.

When installing heads I always apply Permatex No.2 non-hardening gasket sealer to metal block surfaces, metal head surfaces, and gasket surfaces of head gaskets prior to installing heads.

Gasket sealer is not recommended for "modern silicone" head gaskets ...... I applied Permatex No. 2 everywhere anyway ...... just did not feel like buying another gasket later to keep this gasket Company in business ...... worked great for the past (6) years with a Police High Compression Head with new "standard" head bolts torqued to only 55 ft-lbs.
 
Since you stated you found the head had some loose head bolts and you tightened them... You may now have a leaking head gasket. The fire ring around the cylinder may be damaged and is now allowing exhaust gas into the coolant. Take the vehicle on a run to warm it up and then once warm, try accelerating up a hill. If coolant makes its way out from the cap during this climb up the hill, I would bet one or more of the cylinders is leaking. Good luck in your search for the problem.
Good Day!

Our local Club had 9 cars drive from Minnesota to Loveland for the National Convention two weeks ago. We had one car loose a head gasket and exhibited the same problem you are describing. We changed it in the motel parking lot and were back on the road the next morning.
 
I've been running my A for a couple years now without any big problems but I'm wondering what the "big headed nail" in the OF tube is for? Always wanting to learn something new so I had to ask.
 
H. L. Chauvin said:
Hi K,

As far as the head leak, I wish someone would chime in to recommend a very good added coolant sealer that they actually "experienced" and that worked to help seal a minor head gasket leak.

H.L.,

IronTite "All Weather Seal" works well with antifreeze to seal block and head gasket to water jacket leaks. Even better..."Ceramic Motor Seal" with clear water is my preferred product.
I keep a couple bottles of these products on the shelf along with their "Thoro-Flush".
I have used them all and they work.
Your local auto parts store may carry them. If not, Snyder's stocks them. Look for them in the "Radiator" section.
Good Day!
Click to expand...
 
1931 flamingo & Bill Williamson - I have heard numerous times on this forum about the "Magic" nail. Can either of you please explain the reasoning to put a nail in the overflow tube to me? The way I see it that tube was put there for a purpose i.e. to let water over flow to the BOTTOM of the car rather then like K Meredith 87 water overflowed on the hood. If his gasket was good and the tube is clear then the water would of gone to the bottom.

I had a problem with my car recently but for a while I just could not get it through my head that the radiator has to find its own level, whether that be above or below the baffle. Since I determined that mine is ever so slightly BELOW the baffle I have had no problems AND I have not added any water in over 200 miles of driving.

So please explain to me what the "MAGIC NAIL" in the overflow tube does?

Thanks !!!!!
 
"Magic Nail" was Bill's "fix".
No water should come out of the radiator cap.
It should (if it's going to" go out the overflow tube, IF it's inclined to.
The nail covers the majority of the hole in the o/flow tube thus inhibiting the outflow.

Not really "magic".

Paul in CT
 
I had the same problem as you – Tried several of the commercially available radiator flushes and vinegar too with no joy. Final resolution was to have the radiator rodded. Judging from the color of your coolant in the photo, I would start with a thorough radiator flush and go from there.

[FONT=&quot]Thinking of it logically, the water pump delivers coolant to the top of the radiator, if flues are clogged it will back up and flow out the overflow pipe. If the radiator is really clogged, the overflow pipe will not be able to keep up and coolant will blow out the cap.

Lots of posts available on how to flush the system - Post back if you have more questions.

Good luck
[/FONT]
 
Are you using the green coolant or pink? Or mixture? It's really "yucky" if it's supposed to be green. By the way, be careful of the cup A vs cup B theory mentioned earlier. It doesn't work because the only water pumped back up into the cup is what flows through the hole in the bottom. A radiator that is throwing water out the top or the overflow tube is because somewhere in the system there is an expansion in the coolant...in other words it is reaching boiling point due to temp or combination of temp andvacuum. Jackson has a very good youtube video that explains the model A system well. Look it up. It will help you troubleshoot. Search youtube "model A cooling system overheating explained"
 
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Glad to see you back on the road. Just cover the tubes and don't fill to the top of the neck. The car will find what level it wants to run at. Hope to see you at the July 4th parade in Bethany.
 
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