Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-18-2014, 10:36 AM   #1
Gerald cook
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 41
Default over heating

I have just gotten a 1929 model A and I need some help with with my cooling system. I use the ford barn as my guide in working on my model A thank all of you on the ford barn site for all the help. Now for my question. When doing the cooling system check I run the car for a half hour at a fast idle at full advance. and it gets up to 200+ As I'm not ready for a full on road test (some electrical work left to do ) Is this a indication of a cooling system problem. The cooling system has been flushed and water runs clear. I hope I can get some advice. My next step will be checking water volume of radiator one a half gal. And 4 seconds to dump water out. as per Les Andrews. Jerry
Gerald cook is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 10:43 AM   #2
Bruce Adams
Senior Member
 
Bruce Adams's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northport, NY
Posts: 1,597
Default Re: over heating

I am a big believer in using an infra red temperature gun to detect COOL SPOTS in the radiator when the engine is on to indicate whether the radiator is indeed radiating heat from it, or if the tubes are blocked, thus requiring radiator work or replacement.
Bruce Adams is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 04-18-2014, 11:24 AM   #3
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: over heating

Try running it with spark advance at about 9:00. Bruce's suggestion is excellent also.
__________________
Ray Horton, Portland, OR


As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 11:44 AM   #4
stouchton
Senior Member
 
stouchton's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Pottstown, PA
Posts: 342
Default Re: over heating

Just to highlight the less obvious:

After chasing coolant, pump and radiator one must also see if the motor is simply producing too much heat.

An engine produces excessive heat when it falls out of its rather inefficient energy sweet spot. Most likely reason is incorrect timing.

The gas will burn releasing its energy, but if burned at the wrong time the energy is not effectively converted to mechanical energy and leaves the engine as heat energy.

When pursuing timing, remember that incorrect mixtures burn at different rates and cause timing variations. Lean mixtures burn too slowly, and rich mixtures burn too rapidly.

Also, advanced and retarded timing both cause excessive heat.


And, when discussing radiators, coolant flow rate and outside air humidity greatly affect the amount of heat a radiator can radiate.
stouchton is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 12:08 PM   #5
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: over heating

I have found the radiator dump test to be worthless, and even if it passes, that doesn't mean the radiator can transfer heat properly. Think how a thin layer of grease or oil slime can insulate the radiator tubes. Think how a thick layer of paint can insulate the fins.

As mentioned, the heat gun is a nice tool to own, and not too expensive.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 12:22 PM   #6
goodoldvic
Senior Member
 
goodoldvic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: New Jersey shore
Posts: 257
Default Re: over heating

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
You will see posts about overheating and it usually comes down to timing, lean mixture, the radiator, a blown head gasket could also be the culprit. Do it systematically and look at the stuff guys have done to their cars for the problem you wanna fix. There is a lot of info here I don't run a temp gage but 200 sounds high to me. Good luck
goodoldvic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 12:38 PM   #7
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: over heating

Quote:
Originally Posted by goodoldvic View Post
You will see posts about overheating and it usually comes down to timing, lean mixture, the radiator, a blown head gasket could also be the culprit. Do it systematically and look at the stuff guys have done to their cars for the problem you wanna fix. There is a lot of info here I don't run a temp gage but 200 sounds high to me. Good luck
Ditto
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 02:18 PM   #8
H. L. Chauvin
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,179
Default Re: over heating

Hi Gerald,

FWIW:

In my humble opinion, using modern radiator flush kit liquid is as effective as washing your wife's dishes with used motor oil.

If I saw what you described with your Model A, I would try something very simple & very inexpensive first; i.e., I would try draining about 1/2 cup of your radiator coolant &:

1. To prevent too much soap suds, add not more than 1/2 cup of "Joy" liquid & allow your engine to run about 20 minutes "after" engine is at operating temperature.

2. Next, shut off engine, place a clean white sock attached to petcock, & drain coolant.

3. If coolant is dirty, or if debris is captured in sock, wait until engine is cool, add water & repeat steps 1 & 2 until coolant is clear.

You may have years of grease that came through the water pump & lodged in the cooling system -- Joy & warm water will loosen & clean grease just like it cleans margarine off of a plate.

Please let us know what happens.

Hope this helps.
H. L. Chauvin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 05:14 PM   #9
rocket1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland Park,N.J.
Posts: 1,108
Default Re: over heating

do you have any white smoke coming out of the tailpipe while the engine is heating up?
rocket1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2014, 06:30 PM   #10
ford3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: oroville calif.
Posts: 1,453
Default Re: over heating

200 at a fast idle is really no indicator of how hot the engine is running, you need the car moving down the road with air being forced thru the radiator, and the fan pulling air, sitting still the fan can not pull enough air thru the fins to get an accurate temp reading
ford3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:39 PM.