Overheating

triple mike

triple mike

Junior Member
Thought I would share my issues with my model A overheating. I tried all the suggestions on the web, vinegar
, muriatic acid, flushing the system, flow testing (I believe I ran the 38 gals through the radiator). Had a radiator shop clean it out, he said he did the best he could do, afraid of damaging the core seeing how old the radiator is. It is the original one that was with the 28 truck. Then I found Jack Bahm videos, the one where he cuts open the top of the reservoir, I figured it was my last shot before I purchase a new radiator from China . After opening up the reservoir I found 9 blocked core tubes. There was no way they could have been opened up without rodding them. I was able to get all of them rodded except for the end three. Tested it today and problem solved!!!! And saved $300.00. Note to anyone trying this, when you cut the windows use the thinnest blade you can fine, because the brass is so thin I wish I used my dremel tool with a cutting disk rather than the 1/16” thick one on my grinder, the soldering would have gone much faster.
 

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Hi Triple Mike,

Ever notice when learning a new sport such as hunting and/or fishing, one buys Hunting Magazines or Fishing Magazines, where usually most of the articles are written by authors trained to write who enjoy writing; but, many of these authors never had feet that touched grass or dirt or even went hunting or fishing.

Usually the real professional serious hunters and professional serious fishermen are more interested in their sport and are not very interested in writing.

Many mechanical manuals over the years were written the same way by authors interested in writing; hence, copied excerpts from former mechanical manuals, listed same former manuals in their bibliography, and proceeded to list the dozens of reasons why engines overheat without emphasizing the main culprit that professional mechanics first check prior to all of the rest ........ e.g, the radiator.

Few Model A owners bite the bullet and "firstly" investigate the main mechanical component that is solely responsible for cooling engines and resisting overheating more than any other component.

Thanks for sharing such an important investigation to find one of the major root causes for an 80+ year old Model A's problem with overheating.
 
If your radiator shop " did the best he could" why didn't HE take the top tank off and rod it out? That's what radiator shops do for a living! Glad you got it fixed, but there was a much better/easier way.
 
Appears the vintage skills and "wanting to help" generation found in old time radiator shops are becoming more difficult to find.

Many of today's mechanics shops' younger employees lean more on replacing complete modules and replacing complete assemblies as opposed to spending so much time cleaning out old encrusted 80+ year old radiators.

Looks like do it your self, (DIY) is getting more popular lately on vintage vehicle Forums.
 
I resisted at first cutting open the radiator, (so many other projects in the works). After doing the flow test it look good, 3-4 seconds, even the radiator guy thought it flowed well. And if the outside temp was 70 degs or below all was good with the engine temp. I hauled 6 full sheet of sheet rock home with no problem (outside temp 54 degs). I convince myself against my better judgment that all the snake oil cures would fix the problem. I tried to take the easy way out, should have know better.
 
If i have the skill to remove the top tank i would have. I have never taken a radiator a part before, i have spoken to other people who have and they said you can loosen up the solder joints on the core and you will have a real mess on your hands, them I believe.
 
I asked him if he rod out the radiator, he said that the radiator is so old and if he ran into problems he said it could cost more to fix then a replacement. I understood that because i have run into similar issue in the past like this.
 
Not trying to speculate, and also in trying to be complimentary, hauling home six (6) full sheets of sheet rock sounds like something a young person would be trying.
 
i'm only 60 years old, so still hitting it for now. Wife has me remodeling the kitchen. Also have a daughter who lives close, she had to help the old man unload the rock. Loading the rock was easy, when you show up at Lowes with a 28 pick up, all the guys what to help load up the truck.
 

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Wonderful photo & sounds like a rewarding project.

One sentence of advice for seniors heard on the radio not long ago was from a young "Senior Therapy Specialist".

After offering about 15 minutes of senior exercise advice on the radio, the radio host asked could he describe all of his senior exercise recommendations in one sentence:

He thought for a minute or two and responded"

"If you keep moving, nobody will ever bury you!"
 
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