1934 Ford Victoria Overheating

Did the exhaust gas test tonight and the liquid did not change color - no exhaust gas in the radiator. Basically the engine starts and runs smoothly and slowly heats up - about 15 minutes to get up to 190F. I tried blowing addition air through the radiator with a shop vac. This slowed how fast it heated up but still hit 190F in 20 minutes. I am using a thermometer in the radiator to check the temp.
Would like suggestions on what to try next. Add 160F thermostats? Remove the radiator and try to find a radiator shop? Buy a new radiator? Replace the water pumps - they appear to be new?
 
Years ago, a friend with a ’34 needed a fan. He spotted one hanging on the wall in a wrecking yard. He got it for a song because the owner didn’t realize what it fit. He installed it and the overheating got worse. He happened to park in a vacant lot one day. He revved the engine and much to his surprise a cloud of dust blew up in front of the car. Upon investigating he found the air was being blown out through the radiator. The best he could figure the fan was reversed blades designed to be used on some installation like a bus. The old guy in the wrecking yard was smarter than my friend gave him credit for. I am sure that this is not your problem, but I would like to ask are you sure you have the correct fan, they made several over the years. How close is your fan to the radiator and how long are the blades?

Charlie Stephens
 
Installing new thermostats where they were not fitted at all before will not fix your overheating problem. Take your car or radiator to a radiator shop and they will give the radiator a flow test. The new type water pumps with sealed bearings instead of bushes and improved impellers will flow more water and work really well and dont require greasing. I have them in my original 34 Ford. Bob Drake sells them. Regards Kevin.
 
I think the radiator is your problem and you either need to have it rodded out or purchase a new one. It's obvious that the radiator cannot handle the water flow and pushes fluid out the top. The tubes are plugged up.
 
Last edited:
Thank you all for the great advice. I advanced the timing and that helped a little but it still overheats at an idle and after driving for 15 minutes or so. Found a local radiator shop that does antique car radiators and I will be removing the radiator next week for evaluation by the radiator shop.
 
You were very lucky to find a real radiator shop. Out here in California they are rare as hen's teeth.
 
I have the same problem with my 36 1/2 ton. New motor/radiator with only a few miles on them. However, the vehicle has only been run a few times since the overhaul/new radiator 10 years ago. I am going to try the vinegar method. I also have the Skip Haney water pumps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top