Flathead V8 radiator question

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Outdoorboy26

Junior Member
Hey guys. I was driving the '52 Courier Sedan Delivery and noticed twice a large puff of white smoke coming from behind blowing past me at idle at a stop light. I got to where I was going and shut it down. Immediately it dumped all of its coolant. The source of the leak was a crappy radiator repair/patch job performed before I got the car. I assume the pressure finally was finally too much for the crappy patch job. My question ... white smoke is bad, but could it have just been coolant headed back into the engine while the radiator was popping from the pressure? It doesn't necessarily mean blown gasket does it? I had it towed home and put water in it and fired it up. Let it idle for 20 or so seconds. Revved a few times. Idle. Rev. Repeat for about a minute. I shot video of the exhaust. No white smoke. Just light bluish when I rev (I assume that's crappy rings?) I appreciate your help/advice. I'm new to this and learning. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to replace the radiator, drain the oil and check for coolant in it. Fill everything back up and try it out. Does this sound like a plan?
 

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That looks like a replacement aluminum radiator. I'd just replace it with a good original or NOS if I could find one.
 
Regarding water or coolant in the oil, just look for milky brown oil on the dipstick.

I am not a fan aluminum radiators because they would not keep my big inch flathead cool, but if it has worked for you, maybe just replace the one you have, because the aluminum radiator will probably be under $250 versus maybe $800 for an original type.

If cost is not an object, by all means, NOS for preservation and performance.
 
compression test should resolve the head gasket question back it up with a vacuum gauge if the both arn't to dramatic then replace radiator ,copper /brass /alloy thats up to you
 
I don’t think you can judge the performance of an aluminum radiator by that one. That took a hard hit and yes it’s a “crappy repair”. A local guy to me recored my ‘50 radiator for $725.......Mark
 
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