The Ford Barn

marty in Ohio · 03-25-2026, 03:12 PM

I've noticed a small seepage at the bottom of my radiator. Last month I bought a product from Snyder's called a ceramic motor sealer. When I opened the bottle today I noticed sealer had separated and a thick layer of white "stuff" had hardened at the top. I tried to mix it and finally heated it to try to get to blend after talking to Snyder's. The white stuff had to be broken into smaller pieces. Now I'm not sure I want to dump this in my radiator. Has anybody used this stuff and what was your result?
Marty

cadillac512 · 03-25-2026, 06:07 PM

That container sure sounds like it has passed its "use by" date.

Ray64 · 03-26-2026, 06:34 AM

I used a table spoon of black pepper,worked for me RAY

marty in Ohio · 03-26-2026, 09:34 AM

I think you're right Cadillac512. I was surprised when I called Snyder's and they said "strain it and stir it up." I don't think I'm going to pour that stuff in my radiator.
Ray64, I've heard of sawdust in the transmission, but I never heard of pepper in the radiator. I'm gonna give that a good think!
Marty

Tacoma Bob · 03-26-2026, 10:29 AM

Sounds like Water Glass (sodium silicate) Throw it away. A well meaning club member dumped Water Glass in my radiator. What a mess. What hardened at the top of your container is what will happen in your radiator tubes.

marty in Ohio · 03-26-2026, 10:52 AM

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Thank you all for your responses. I'm learning! I've owned this car for 34 years and never had any problems with the radiator. It's been boiled out a couple times, but now it doesn't seem to be a good radiator shop in north east Ohio.
Marty

Werner · 03-26-2026, 02:06 PM

Guten Abend Marty.

Couldn't you solder it yourself? The cooler material is well-suited for that. Use leaded solder containing flux, and a soldering iron with >300-500 W.

Those cooler sealants rarely help and often cause blockages, etc.

ronn · 03-26-2026, 05:36 PM

iM A BIG FAN OF bARS LEAK- USED IT MANY TIMES IN hs ON OLD JALOPIES AND ALWAYS SEEMED TO WORK.

CAPS..............

Gene F · 03-26-2026, 07:38 PM

Marty, if you can not solder it yourself, call Snyders and order the best one they sell. I had one fixed (for a streetrod) about 7 or 8 years ago, and it was a super big pain finding a shop to fix it.

BTW, I have heard of the teablespoon of black pepper thing.

Synchro909 · 03-26-2026, 09:35 PM

There are all sorts of old time fixes for a leaky radiator. Here, Bars Leaks is dried chicken poop in oil. The poop is the same as a fertiliser sold here as "Dynamic Lifter. Being in oil, it stays "dry". That is, it contains no water. When added to the radiator, water gets at the poop and as it gets wet, it swells. Any that lodges in the leak will continue to expand, thus sealing it. Ground pepper works the same way, as does dry cow pats etc. I have even heard an egg being broken into a hot system works well.
Sodium silicate works well too. I have in one of my engines that developed a crack in the block about 2,500 miles from home. It got me home and it is still in there. There is no sign of the leak now and I'm driving it as normal.

marty in Ohio · 03-27-2026, 07:25 AM

Thanks Synchro. My only problem now is to find a chicken that will poop in my radiator.(LOL)
Marty

Ray64 · 03-27-2026, 07:29 AM

Marty there is a radiator shop on CLEVELAND STREET in ELYRIA . seems like THOMAS RAD> rings a bell. Ive used them before. Dont quote me on that name Brain is getting old LOL

Big hammer · 03-27-2026, 07:41 AM

Has anyone ever called the manufacturer and asked them if their products are good for non-pressurized cooling systems ? Some of the products need pressure to seal a leak . Have you checked your non-pressurized model A radiator that it is venting, the tiny little overflow tube can get plugged and then cause the cooling system to be pressurized and cause leaking . I’ve used a #12 solid copper wire to clean the little tiny tube , slow and steady by hand pushing through the tube !

Bob Bidonde · 03-27-2026, 08:37 AM

There is a rivet that connects the radiator's structural frame to the bottom radiator tank that is prone to leaking. Unfortunately, short of taking the radiator apart, stop leak is the only fix I have found that works temporarily.

SAXBY2 · 03-27-2026, 09:50 AM

Some like Aluma Seal stop- leak, been around for a long time .Use as directed.

marty in Ohio · 03-27-2026, 02:22 PM

Upon further investigation I found that the radiator is not leaking. The leak was at the lower hose. I've got it all apart, cleaned up and painted the lower metal tube, and will put it back together with new hoses.

Ray, the radiator shop that you referred to is Thomas Radiator off Cleveland St. They closed about a year ago. They've always did my work before.

Big Hammer, I've also heard that Bars Leak won't work well in a Model A because the system isn't pressurized.

Always learning.

Marty

Gene F · 03-27-2026, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAXBY2

Some like Aluma Seal stop- leak, been around for a long time .Use as directed.

I know a guy that put that in before a tour, and it worked.

Synchro909 · 03-27-2026, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAXBY2

Some like Aluma Seal stop- leak, been around for a long time .Use as directed.

Another good option (I know through experience).

Y-Blockhead · 03-27-2026, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

There is a rivet that connects the radiator's structural frame to the bottom radiator tank that is prone to leaking. Unfortunately, short of taking the radiator apart, stop leak is the only fix I have found that works temporarily.

That is where my radiator had a small leak. Funny thing was, it would only leak when cold. I was going to pull the radiator and have it repaired "when I had a chance", but we drive our cars year 'round out here.

I asked a few folks and more than one recommended K-Seal for a temporary fix. I poured the K-Seal in and it did nothing to stop the leak. Bottle sez 1-3 minutes...

Then after a couple of weeks, the drip just stopped! Not a drop since, been~6 months now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde

There is a rivet that connects the radiator's structural frame to the bottom radiator tank that is prone to leaking. Unfortunately, short of taking the radiator apart, stop leak is the only fix I have found that works temporarily.

That is where my radiator had a small leak. Funny thing was, it would only leak when cold. I was going to pull the radiator and have it repaired "when I had a chance", but we drive our cars year 'round out here.

I am not a fan of stop leaks, but I asked a few folks and more than one recommended K-Seal for a temporary fix. I poured the 1/2 bottle of K-Seal in as recommended and it did nothing to stop the leak. Bottle sez 1-3 minutes...

Then after a couple of weeks, the drip just stopped! Not a drop since, been~6 months now.

CWPASADENA · 03-27-2026, 10:03 PM

I would start with Bars Leak or Aluma Seal. I do not think you need anything as agressive as a block seal.

My opinion,

Chris W.

03-25-2026, 06:07 PM	#2
cadillac512 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,229	Re: radiator sealer That container sure sounds like it has passed its "use by" date. __________________ "It don't take but country smarts to solve the problem" (Smokey Yunick) '30 Model A Speedster '41 Merc Town Sedan / 260" 8CM engine '66 Fairlane four door / "warmed up" 302

03-26-2026, 06:34 AM	#3
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 772	Re: radiator sealer I used a table spoon of black pepper,worked for me RAY

03-26-2026, 09:34 AM	#4
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 821	Re: radiator sealer I think you're right Cadillac512. I was surprised when I called Snyder's and they said "strain it and stir it up." I don't think I'm going to pour that stuff in my radiator. Ray64, I've heard of sawdust in the transmission, but I never heard of pepper in the radiator. I'm gonna give that a good think! Marty

03-26-2026, 10:29 AM	#5
Tacoma Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,069	Re: radiator sealer Sounds like Water Glass (sodium silicate) Throw it away. A well meaning club member dumped Water Glass in my radiator. What a mess. What hardened at the top of your container is what will happen in your radiator tubes.

03-26-2026, 10:52 AM	#6
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 821	Re: radiator sealer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thank you all for your responses. I'm learning! I've owned this car for 34 years and never had any problems with the radiator. It's been boiled out a couple times, but now it doesn't seem to be a good radiator shop in north east Ohio. Marty

03-25-2026, 03:12 PM	#1
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 821	radiator sealer I've noticed a small seepage at the bottom of my radiator. Last month I bought a product from Snyder's called a ceramic motor sealer. When I opened the bottle today I noticed sealer had separated and a thick layer of white "stuff" had hardened at the top. I tried to mix it and finally heated it to try to get to blend after talking to Snyder's. The white stuff had to be broken into smaller pieces. Now I'm not sure I want to dump this in my radiator. Has anybody used this stuff and what was your result? Marty

03-26-2026, 02:06 PM	#7
Werner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Germany, near Aachen Posts: 1,315	Re: radiator sealer Guten Abend Marty. Couldn't you solder it yourself? The cooler material is well-suited for that. Use leaded solder containing flux, and a soldering iron with >300-500 W. Those cooler sealants rarely help and often cause blockages, etc. __________________ Beste Gruesse aus Deutschland, Werner Ford Model A, Roadster, 1928 Citroen 11 CV, 1947 Hercules W 2000, 1976; (with NSU-Wankel Rotary Engine), Canadian version

03-26-2026, 05:36 PM	#8
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 7,873	Re: radiator sealer iM A BIG FAN OF bARS LEAK- USED IT MANY TIMES IN hs ON OLD JALOPIES AND ALWAYS SEEMED TO WORK. CAPS..............

03-26-2026, 07:38 PM	#9
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,689	Re: radiator sealer Marty, if you can not solder it yourself, call Snyders and order the best one they sell. I had one fixed (for a streetrod) about 7 or 8 years ago, and it was a super big pain finding a shop to fix it. BTW, I have heard of the teablespoon of black pepper thing.

03-26-2026, 09:35 PM	#10
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 8,434	Re: radiator sealer There are all sorts of old time fixes for a leaky radiator. Here, Bars Leaks is dried chicken poop in oil. The poop is the same as a fertiliser sold here as "Dynamic Lifter. Being in oil, it stays "dry". That is, it contains no water. When added to the radiator, water gets at the poop and as it gets wet, it swells. Any that lodges in the leak will continue to expand, thus sealing it. Ground pepper works the same way, as does dry cow pats etc. I have even heard an egg being broken into a hot system works well. Sodium silicate works well too. I have in one of my engines that developed a crack in the block about 2,500 miles from home. It got me home and it is still in there. There is no sign of the leak now and I'm driving it as normal. __________________ When all is said and done, more is said than done. That's why we judge people on what they do, not what they say. I sometimes wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. If I am not in trouble, I've done something wrong.

03-27-2026, 07:25 AM	#11
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 821	Re: radiator sealer Thanks Synchro. My only problem now is to find a chicken that will poop in my radiator.(LOL) Marty

03-27-2026, 07:29 AM	#12
Ray64 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grafton,OHIO Posts: 772	Re: radiator sealer Marty there is a radiator shop on CLEVELAND STREET in ELYRIA . seems like THOMAS RAD> rings a bell. Ive used them before. Dont quote me on that name Brain is getting old LOL

03-27-2026, 07:41 AM	#13
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,640	Re: radiator sealer Has anyone ever called the manufacturer and asked them if their products are good for non-pressurized cooling systems ? Some of the products need pressure to seal a leak . Have you checked your non-pressurized model A radiator that it is venting, the tiny little overflow tube can get plugged and then cause the cooling system to be pressurized and cause leaking . I’ve used a #12 solid copper wire to clean the little tiny tube , slow and steady by hand pushing through the tube ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

03-27-2026, 08:37 AM	#14
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,388	Re: radiator sealer There is a rivet that connects the radiator's structural frame to the bottom radiator tank that is prone to leaking. Unfortunately, short of taking the radiator apart, stop leak is the only fix I have found that works temporarily. __________________ Bob Bidonde

03-27-2026, 09:50 AM	#15
SAXBY2 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 142	Re: radiator sealer Some like Aluma Seal stop- leak, been around for a long time .Use as directed.

03-27-2026, 02:22 PM	#16
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 821	Re: radiator sealer Upon further investigation I found that the radiator is not leaking. The leak was at the lower hose. I've got it all apart, cleaned up and painted the lower metal tube, and will put it back together with new hoses. Ray, the radiator shop that you referred to is Thomas Radiator off Cleveland St. They closed about a year ago. They've always did my work before. Big Hammer, I've also heard that Bars Leak won't work well in a Model A because the system isn't pressurized. Always learning. Marty

03-27-2026, 10:03 PM	#20
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,962	Re: radiator sealer I would start with Bars Leak or Aluma Seal. I do not think you need anything as agressive as a block seal. My opinion, Chris W.