1931 Ford 180-A Phaeton

Yellowfordcoupe

Yellowfordcoupe

Senior Member
Have a 180-A Phaeton with a 1932 Model B engine and water problems. Engine lost a lot of water during a mild Summer drive. Have put on one of the new gaskets and use some WUERTH silicone fluid between engine-gasket-head. It should be tight, but I loose arround 1,8 litres during a one hour drive on normal speed and on a normal temprature day. Don't know what could happen with this car.
Thanks, Alex
 
Where is the water going

The first thing you should do is determine where the water is going. It could be leaking out of a gasket. getting into the oil system, coming out of the water pump, coming out of a radiator hose, coming out of a leak in the radiator, exiting out the radiator cap or coming out of the overflow tube. If it is not apparent where the water is going I would connect a rubber tube and bottle up to the end of the overflow tube a see if the water is coming out there.

I am sure everyone will chime in with what they think it could be but until to find out where the water is going everyone is just guessing.

Bob
 
Re: Where is the water going

Bob,
I hooked up a bottle to the overflow tube and it fills this bottle during drive the car very fast. What do you think is the problem? A broken cylinder head or what could it be? Engine don't smoke white and there is no water in the oil.
Thanks, Alex
 
My first thought is the radiator is stopped up and can't handle the flow from the waterpump. This condition will cause the water to be forced out the overflow pipe.

I would first put some dish washing liquid in the radiator run for a day and flush. Then flush and repeat the process untill the flush water runs clear. I would then use a comercial radiator cooling system cleaner such as Prestone. This may help, otherwise you may have to have the radiator rodded out, replace core or buy a new radiator.

Other things to check would be points setting and timing. You could be running too lean or it could be improper use of the spark lever and the list goes on an on. Good luck.
 
Are you running a Model A head on a Model B block? If so the Model B block has two extra steam holes where the Model A block does not. This will cause you to loose water. I'm having the same problem with my Model B block with a Model A head on it.

I'm not sure if this is the same problem you're having but I'm going to pull the head soon on mine and plug the two extra steam holes in the block and put a new head gasket on.
 
If you're running the 31 radiator, ck the o/flow tube, there was a service bulletin to "form" the o/flow tube to the rear and if possible under the neck of the tank. I did it to mine and it solved my problem of water loss.
Paul in CT
 
Bob is correct you need to find out where the H20 is going and adress the problem from there. It sounds like you need some radiator problems. One more thought does your car keep pumping water out or does it find one level and stop. If so the water may just be finding its running level.
 
Leroy,
why don't you use a Model B head instead of plugging the holes in the block?
Your're right, I also have a high compression Model A head on the B engine, but don't know if these two engine block holes are blocked.
Thanks, Alex
 
Thanks for your help on my cylinder head question. I've plugged the two holes in the B engine and it seems to be okay now.
Thanks, Alex
 
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YellowFordCoupe ..................
If you are going to try to clean out the radiator, in the car, don't fool with the commercial radiator cleaners, sold in stores. The EPA has mandated it to be so weak, that it is almost useless nowdays.
The V8 guys run straight vinegar for several hours. It will loosen a lot of debris. It will not hurt the environment either. And it is cheap !
If you run a detergent through, you really have to flush many times, to keep it from foaming later.
MIKE :)
 
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