When I got on this site the other day there was a thread about not being able to see how much water you have in the radiator, and now I can't find it. I have that problem and without having to buy that $50.00 kit can I just top the radiator with some antifreeze above the baffle and then run it for a while and then check to see if its going to freeze this winter. Thanks. Tom..... PS Nice site Mitch..
-
-
Tom, WELCOME to the VFF!!!
To answer your question, YES. The coolant will find it's own level, which is normally right above the lower lip of the baffle. Now, this is not always the case, some are well above the baffle, almost to the bottom of the neck, but it should settle somewhere in that area, so fill it up to the neck and check it after driving 10 or so miles.
One other word to help, if you don't have a copy of the Service Bulletins, get one and look on page 450 and adjust the overflow pipe to the farthest point rear, and if needed, extend the pipe to the highest it can be just under the lip.You wana look waaay far up da road and plan yer route because the brakes are far more of a suggestion than a command! -
Thanks Tom and Welcome
Fill it to the height of the baffle plate and your good to go. I really don't see a need for that kit, because i have found on a normal operating cooling system it will not expel any out of the over flow using this height.
Make sure the pipe is positioned correctly as Wiz mentioned.
This may be the thread
3~ Tudor's & 1~ Coupe
Henry Ford said,
"It's all nuts and bolts"
"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Mitch's Auto Service ctrComment
-
Thanks for the suggestions I'm going to do that.Comment
-
If you just want to check the strength of antifreeze, drain some into a cup from the petcock in the lower pipe, and test that. Then dump it back in the radiator.Comment
-
Thanks, that's a good idea. Because all I want to do is suck it up in that tester to see want temp its good for.Comment
-
I need help tracing the cause of my 1930 A coupe has started leaking coolant from the overflow tube on cold start. I noticed it having a tendency to run hot this summer just driving around the neighborhood . How do I determine the cause ? Tks for any help Dallas Johnson [email protected]10-27-2017, 12:26 PM -
I recently purchased a very nice Brassworks radiator. My old radiator had no baffle in the filler neck, so I could plainly see where I wanted to fill the level with coolant. I would fill it to just a little over the tops of the tubes because if I filled it more than that, it would all blow out anyway. That old radiator was falling apart and took many fills to keep it in water.
This is...08-06-2019, 04:02 PM -
This is a newly purchased Model A pickup. Not sure what’s original, what’s not. Not sure what’s been done to motor, seller said he last drove the truck 19 years ago after complete rebuild. It was kept in a heated, dry garage. Appearance-wise it’s in excellent condition. Motor, etc.also very clean.
When cold it starts immediately. The problem is when driven about fifteen miles,...07-16-2018, 09:44 AM -
Along the lines of Mitch's post, I don't know the answer to this, but so many of us have had problems with cooling and the blocked radiators, I wonder if there could be some good calibrated check of the rate of flow through a radiator. For instance, keep pouring water into the radiator so that it is full (flowing out the overflow tube and top of the radiator won't matter) and then disconnect the...08-13-2017, 09:03 AM -
Well, some of you have heard rumors of my attempt to change the flow rate from the radiator. Well, I have done something about it. The following is what I have done to date.
03/09/18
Today I started the reinventing of my cooling system. I started out by getting a new lower radiator pipe from my local store. Some of you may already know that I have a ¾ flat washer which is 1¾”...You do not have permission to view this gallery.
This gallery has 17 photos.03-12-2018, 11:27 PM -
See the attached photo. This was taken a couple months ago when it was still colder outside and I would go out to the garage every week or so during the winter and start the car up for a while or even take it for a few mile drive. Since then I cleaned it out, but now after about 100 miles and warmer weather, it is forming again. Weather now is in the upper '70's to low '80's
If I hold...You do not have permission to view this gallery.
This gallery has 1 photos.05-08-2018, 03:23 AM -
Almost hate to ask this question ; but here goes -
I am going over a 1931 Model A , one that has never been restored. It runs good and I just want to tool around with it for a few years before it gets a full restoration.
My question - The original radiator leaks just a tiny amount about 1/3 of the way down, the smallest amount possible. Would you recommend 'Bar's Leak' solution ?...12-13-2018, 10:10 AM -
I have always used denatured alcohol mixed with water for anti-freeze, per the FSB. Why? Because if anti-freeze leaks into the crankcase, it will destroy babbit. At least that is what I was told early on by people who would know. But times and things change. My question, as always during this time of year, is there a modern anti-freeze that will not damage babbit if it gets into the oil, maybe some...10-20-2017, 05:32 PM -
I am just curious if anyone here has ever installed an electric fan on the front of their Model A radiator. Before you scold me, I know it won't look right... but I have a reason. Here in Texas it gets extremely hot & I drive my car year round. I have an AC so when it's 108* outside, I am comfortable in the car. When it's this hot outside, my car does not overheat. Going 55 MPH down the highway...03-21-2019, 12:25 PM -
Yesterday I took my longest road trip to date since buying Rose. Purring down the road at 50+ mph and then the Quail in front of me started pissing in my direction. Boy of boy was it hot. So to stay positive, I'm pretty sure I boiled the radiator clean;) After reading most of the threads on radiators and cooling issues, I have a plan of attack to determine if I damaged anything. I do not have any...07-14-2019, 10:20 PM
Comment