New guy, old ? Radiator

Brads29

Brads29

Junior Member
Hello. New to this forum and to the world of vintage cars. One week ago we were given a 29 model A from a family member to care for and eventually pass along to the next generation. I have put about 75 miles on it without any issues. 2 days ago, in cool weather, and about a mile into a short drive, the radiator "bubbled over", not boiled over, with a foamy overflow that looked very much like the foam on a root beer float. The water level was down about 1/2 cup. The shroud was not especially hot. Any idea what this could be?
I did look through many threads and there seems to be many different opinions on what to put in the radiator after a cleaning at a shop. Anti-freeze or not? Only distilled water? No hard freeze here in the northbay area of SF. At least not for many months. Any help would be appreciated.

Brad
 
H Brad,

Try the fill drain refill hing a few times until you get clear water coming out. I was told distilled water so there is no ion transfer. Welcome to the club, where in Sf are you? I forgot, the pumps will really push the water so it may just be finding its own level for the water. Some full, down a cup or so. You will just have to drive her and learn what she is like. Any pics?

Mike
 
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I run water with a small bottle of water pump lubricant in mine. Water runs cooler and less likely to leak. Antifreeze is just what the name implies. Antifreeze is good year round for newer cars but not so for model A's in my experience.
 
Thanks for the replies. I am in Windsor, north of SF. I will try the drain/re-fill with distilled water and the pump lube tomorrow.
 
After you get it flushed out. fill it up and let it seek its preffered water level. Too often folks keep adding water each time it burps some out. Turns into a constant circle of add, spit out, add, spit out...
You will be fine as long as you have enough water to keep the core of the radiator covered.
Buy a cheap meat thermometer and keep it in your car. That way you can tell if it is actually getting hot or is just seeking it's level.
I think most run antifreeze with no problems.
 
Drop a large head, loose fitting nail into the top of the overflow tube. This helps maintain a HIGHER level of water & lessens the tendency for the system to FOAM!
It's a SIMPLE fix, but it WORKS!
Bill W.
 
Hello Brads29, you may have a bad head gasket. Do you see bubbles coming up to the top in the radiator with the car running? What could be happening is the exhaust gases are leaking into the water jacket and lifting the water out of the over flow pipe just under the radiator cap. This can result in foaming. Keep the water about 2 in. below the top of the radiator and watch the level. The level should not change. See if there is water leaking out through the water over flow tube. You might check the head nut torque with the engine hot (50 ft-lbs.) but if this is the problem, it is probably too late and you will need a new head gasket. Ed
 
I drained the system today. The initial few minutes the water was dirty looking, but cleared up. I ran the hose with the engine at idle for 10 min. or so. Nice and clear. Drained it again and filed with distilled water. I could not locate water pump lube, except one the was essentially concentrated anti freeze. Didn't use it. I drove around the neighborhood and never got the foaming again. However, as Ed said, I do see bubbling and suspect a bad head gasket. I am going to get a professional to look it over. Thanks for all the helpful information.
Brad
 
Look in the filler for RUST flakes may be STUCK in the top of the tubes. You can't see much area, but you can get an idea. Rig up a backflusher, or get your radumator shop to do it. Most of our guys do this twice a year! Even though you have a "clean" system, the "shedding" of flakes from the water jackets is COMMON!
Had a Studebaker Lark that heated over 55 MPH, top of tubes was plugged with old head gasket scrapings, quick backflush & it was CURED!
I posted previously about my CHEEP, home made backflusher, that works pretty good.
On radumators with oily/greasy scum, T.S.P. cleans it quite well.
Bill W.
 
Bill,
A search did not bring up the post about your back flusher. Can you post a link or re-post it?
Thanks,
Brad
 
Brad,
I use an expanding "plumber's helper" on a garden hose, along with a plastic shut off valve. My air blow gun has a looong 1/8" tubing on it. Just poke it in the back end of the lower hose, along with the "plumber's helper"-----Then, jist fille'r up & BLOOOW! (Take out the thermostat, if you have one)-----Repeat this several times. If you do this on a clean driveway, you'll be amazed by how much crap comes out!!! Wish my Dear Pat wuz still here to COMPLAIN, with a SMILE!
This only take about 15 minutes, guy that do this every 6 months, RARELY have heating problems. Remember, even if you have a good sealing head gasket, ONE bad overheating will probably mean a head gasket replacement!
Model A's have ONLY 9 head bolts, that BARELY suffices, even under perfect conditions!! Look what Ol' Henry lurned & put 21 studs on each head of the first V-8------& later on, went to 24 studs!
Henry even changed to downdraft carbs, whin one of his janitors tole him, "GAS don't flow UPHILL!"
I read of an "after hours" janitor, in a factory, that left notes on his boss's desk, about how to increase production. Later on, he was promoted to Efficiency Manager & paid 10 times his original wages!!!
Bill W.
Bill W.
 
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Brads29 said:
I drained the system today. The initial few minutes the water was dirty looking, but cleared up. I ran the hose with the engine at idle for 10 min. or so. Nice and clear. Drained it again and filed with distilled water. I could not locate water pump lube, except one the was essentially concentrated anti freeze. Didn't use it. I drove around the neighborhood and never got the foaming again. However, as Ed said, I do see bubbling and suspect a bad head gasket. I am going to get a professional to look it over. Thanks for all the helpful information.
Brad
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Forget he professional. Backflush your radiator and see what comes out. Usually there are rust particlres in the top of the core that won't let the water flow.
 
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