Newbie w/cooling system questions

zedbyers

zedbyers

Junior Member
Hello all.

I picked up my first old ford (35 pick up) 2 days ago. Bought it from a dealer (hotrods/classics) who got it an estate sale, so not a lot of info from prior owner available. The engine is a 37 early 38 21 stud with water outlet in center of head. When i picked it up, noticed a bit of antifreeze on the grill. Dealer said that they go through the vehicles prior to transfer to new owners, i attributied the antifreeze to a bit of spillage on a top up.

the level in the radiator cool, is about 1/4" below the bar with 2 holes in it that lives right below the cap. when hot the fluid is up to the holes.

i notice when driving the temp gauge stays pretty much in the normal range. i live outside of town and it is a 50mph 6 mile run to town. what i notice is that after that run, when i slow down or stop the engine the temp shoots up a bit. not ******* the needle at all, but definate upward movement. i also get a bit of dribbling out of the overflow hose.

shooting temps at various points on the engine and radiator indicate what i would think to be normal temps. +-180 at all points on the heads. water going to water pumps from bottom of radiator around high 160s into low 170s.

is what i am seeing on my temp gauge acceptable behavior? what is the correct fluid level in the radiator? right now it is running in mid 60s during the day, just hoping i won't have any problems when it starts getting a bit warmer out.

Thanks!
 
From your explanation it sounds normal to me. When your moving there is air flow.
When you slow down or stop not much flow. it sounds logical to me the temp could rise slightly. How much does it go up when not moving and does it go down when moving again?
 
Sounds pretty normal to me. Fluid level should be maintained at or near the top of the tubes in the radiator, by that I mean 1-1.5 inches below the filler neck. Drive it a few days, watch the water level but do not add any unless you cannot see water level. If you have to add water, be sure to keep a record of how much in how many miles.
 
Welcome to Flathead Fords! Your first question being about the cooling system is pretty normal, I'll say that! :D
The heating up when slowing or stopping is as expected.
The overflow may also be normal, if the fluid was filled to the top of the filler tube. It does need a small air space at the top for expansion, and will find its own level.
The temperature at the bottom exiting the radiator sounds a bit high to me, indicating a benefit to be had from rodding out the radiator. This entails the removal and disassembly of the radiator, a boil out, and a physical cleaning of the radiator tubes wit a thin rod to remove scale and blockages. Before reassembly, I'd suggest checking the filler to see if it will accept a pressure cap. A pressurized system (4lbs) will be optimum for your system. Now, the big problem here is to find an old time radiator shop owner that is capable of performing this work. They are literally a dying breed.
 
If you feel you need to cleanout your radiator, which is always a good idea for max. cooling efficiency, and are up in Maine, you have one of the best radiator shops in the world right in Lewiston/Auburn area, Maine Auto Radiator. Not only do they have a shop, but they also manufacture radiator cores.
 
Thanks for the tips, especially the shop in LA russcc. Learning more each day. I probably am going to run a second gauge for the other side. I have an old boat with Chrysler 318s, and went through overheat hell last summer, so I am a bit tuned up on overheating right now. Will try and get some pics up soon. Thanks again, and this place looks like a great forum!
 
The old temp gauges are not the most accurate things in the world, but it all sounds OK to me. Drive it and see what happens.
 
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