1932 ford B model coolent issues

jplawman

jplawman

Senior Member
motor rebuilt , when I fill the radiator with antifreeze 50/50 drive it around till it warms up . when I shut it down minutes later the anti freeze comes out the overflow. all my hoses are tight just keeps coming out the flow tube is this normal I don't think so please give me some thoughts humbly john!
 
Some times they dont like to be full to the top. Let it spit out what it doesnt want, then drive some more to see if its happy
 
Most (if not all) Ford flathead radiators set their own level. Have you filled it to the top? If so, it is just setting its level. My 1949 does the same thing. Every spring I top it off and by the time I check it for the next drive, it looks like it is down a couple of quarts.
If you are sure that there is no air getting into the cooling system, then this is what it is doing. If air is getting into the system, then others will explain further other tests you may have to do.
 
Cooling issues with the fours are exceedingly rare, unlike with the V8s, if your radiator is clean. As above, it sounds like it was overfilled and now it is finding its own level by expelling the excess.
 
nothing new to add just start run to temp at high idle then shut down overnight recheck level and repeat without adding any coolant should not dump any more down the overflow handy hint if you can put a tube and bottle on the overflow and catch the excess to see how much it spits out
 
Don't top it off when it's cold. You need to leave room for expansion when it's at operating temperature. Plus, the temperature goes up even more after you shut the engine off because the coolant is still absorbing heat but there is no circulation and air going through the radiator to remove it. That "hot soak" level is when you want the level to be close to full. Don't worry about what the level is when it's cold. Just be careful checking it hot.
 
its my understanding [could be wrong] that model B cooling systems weren't sealed or pressurized so don't think an overflow bottle will work
 
I had similar issue when I first started my B engine. I think I was over filling it. What I dont like is that you cant tell if it has coolant when its down from the top neck, visual area!
I did have a issue with it bubbling out the cap, until I added an new gasket under the cap.
I suppose I should fill it again just to make sure it has coolant and let it come out the over flow, to , as mentioned seek its own level.
I also used a point and click temp gun to check the temps on rad and head and block, Never got anything above 145F ish.
Probably didn't help you any here, just my 2 cents.
Regards,
Chris
 
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