Update on overheating problem!!!

"small sprinkle on the windshield", shouldn't be happening, You said you were running a quail I think, you need to change those gaskets, so NOTHING comes out the cap. But seems like timing may have been your biggest problem, what are you going to do with that "extra" $600 now?
Paul in CT
 
Having similar problems, I have been following this discussion with interest. Did your incorrect timing result in the spark being too advanced or too late?
 
My Brassworks radiator maintains a constant 135 degrees (without a thermosat) up hill, down hill, timing advanced, timing retarded, on the turnpike at 50 mph on a hot day and maintains a constant 165 to 170 with a thermostat installed. Its worth it! Spend the money! I spent months try to make my old radiator work. It only worked after I removed the head, changed the leaking head gasket and cleaned out the water jackets. But after all that effort, all I had was a marginal radiator that just barely kept my enegine from over heating. Take the plunge, remove your head, clean the rust out of your water jackets, change that head gasket and buy a new radiator. You will be glad you did!
 
I believe that low compression engines like a stock A can be well over-advanced without the pinging that you typically get with higher compression. I know that is particularly easy to do with Model Ts with no audible effect, but usually just a little roughness. I would think that could also cause overheating because the loss of power means more fuel used for for the same work. Also, the earlier combustion would result in more time in the cylinder before the exhaust opens, and therefore more heat absorbed by the water jacket. Make sense? That was the reason for my question.
Bob
 
OK guys I know that you all are tired of this post! BUT!! I done some more driving tests today and she never overheated!! I did the same thing as yesterday with the intermediate stops while driving and checked the upper and bottom hoses with a infrared thermometer the top stayed a constant 165 to 170 and the bottom stayed at 135 to 140 all the time went up same long hill to day and I moved the spark advance up a little( I don't really know if you are suppose to do this but I thought that you are but I really don't know?) and checked temp at the top of hill and temp rose about 5 to 7 degrees and the radiator did spill just a small amount of water maybe a pint but never lost anymore and I drove constant for about a hour maybe a little more and she ran great! I know a lot of your all's A's run cooler with the new radiators but if a radiator is running in the ranges that mine is why put a new one on because at 170 in my thoughts are very acceptable maybe I am wrong? Sure I will sometime get a new radiator but if mine is going to stay at these ranges I will leave it on until the extra money comes along. But I also believe that a motor needs to get to a certain temp to perform well but I could be very wrong on that thought? In the end I will continue to use the radiator that I have I think that it will cool sufficiently until it does not perform as it should. I want to thank everyone for there help on this subject, Hope the radiator keeps up at these temperatures, thanks guys Robert DeBord
 
Sounds like you are learning more about your Model A. Glad to hear that you did not waste your money buying a Radiator that you did not need. Have fun driving that Model A!
 
So, the source of the overheating was incorrect timing. Any idea how much the timing had to be off to cause the overheating ?

In the discussion, the overheating was severe and then went to a very normal operation. I'm wondering how critical the timing is to cause such a large swing in temperature.

Also, I would think that the extra heat is due to the fact that when the timing was retarded, the engine was very poor at converting energy (gas) to motion (running). As such, with the correct timing, the car must have much more power since the energy is now turning the wheels instead of boiling water.

Marc
 
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