I have two stock Model As, a '28-'29 coupe, and a '30-'31 Roadster Pickup(don't know how to tell '28 from '29, nor '30 from '31). The Coupe leaks a bit, not sure from where. Drove the '30-'31 yesterday and water sprayed out of the cap and on the windshield. I was thinking this is NOT a pressurized cooling system. There is still water in the radiator, maybe it was too full? Bad radiator cap?
Leaky Radiator Cap Spews!
- Thread starter Richard D
- Start date
juke joint johnny
Well-known member
Welcome to the Barn .
Most of us fill the rad just above the core that leaves some space for expansion ,
If that does't solve it.
The other thing to check is fill the rad when cold , and at idle look for bubbles in the water / You might have a blown head gasket or a crack between the valves
A good Book to buy is "The Model A Ford as Henry Built It" All Factory pic's and details on the different year differences
John Cochran
Most of us fill the rad just above the core that leaves some space for expansion ,
If that does't solve it.
The other thing to check is fill the rad when cold , and at idle look for bubbles in the water / You might have a blown head gasket or a crack between the valves
A good Book to buy is "The Model A Ford as Henry Built It" All Factory pic's and details on the different year differences
John Cochran
TerryNJ
Well-known member
Let me say that this is not a pressurized system. Did you advance the spark after starting? I'm guessing you're new to Mod. A s. Disregard this if you know this stuff. The lever on the left side of the steering column is the spark advance, up to ten o'clock to retard and start, and down to nine o'clock (roughly)to advance and run. If an engine is too retarded, It will overheat! The lever on the right is a throttle.
Does a cloud of steam come out of the exhaust? Does water become less and less? Or does it stop when it reaches a certain level?
Terry
Does a cloud of steam come out of the exhaust? Does water become less and less? Or does it stop when it reaches a certain level?
Terry
Tom Wesenberg
Well-known member
You need a good radiator cap gasket for sure. That should be sealed tight, so any overflow only goes out the overflow/vent pipe.
glenn in camino
Well-known member
You might need to have your radiator rodded out for better flow.
Mike V. Florida
Well-known member
No matter what the reason, no water should ever leak out from the cap.
fiddlybits
Senior Member
I replaced the seal on the cap with a brand new one.... and it still leaked.
I replaced it with an O-Ring and it sealed up perfectly.
I also spent $10 at AutoZone for their generic overflow tank. It hangs from the radiator support near the firewall and the hose is connected to the bottom of the overflow pipe from the radiator. My radiator is always full to the top, hot or cold. (you can even do this if you are being judged because it can be removed and installed in 1 minute without tools. )
I replaced it with an O-Ring and it sealed up perfectly.
I also spent $10 at AutoZone for their generic overflow tank. It hangs from the radiator support near the firewall and the hose is connected to the bottom of the overflow pipe from the radiator. My radiator is always full to the top, hot or cold. (you can even do this if you are being judged because it can be removed and installed in 1 minute without tools. )