The Ford Barn

bobpo1 · 02-07-2016, 07:52 AM

I recently switched over to 50/50 mix in the radiator in my '30 coupe. Took it out for a drive to town yesterday (beautiful) and when heading back home I got 'er up to 53 mph for a while. When I got home, I noticed some anti freeze under the hood and a little on the windshield. Not normal at all.

I think I have maybe a 1/2 inch too much in the radiator. It's over the core maybe an inch. TOO MUCH....?

C26Pinelake · 02-07-2016, 08:13 AM

I have always been told to the top of the core and that works great for me and most. Why experiment with more if it works for others? I also drive mine at 45 where it is very happy! In my opinion 53 is testing it for no purpose, After all she is over 80 years old. Wayne

1crosscut · 02-07-2016, 08:26 AM

I would think that the odds are you have a bit too much. Is your radiator cap gasket in good shape? Any excess water should exit out the overflow tube at the bottom of the radiator and would not be likely to get on your windshield. Another thing that could possibly be causing water to be pushed out is a leaking head gasket into the cooling system. But since you just changed the water I would lean more towards it being too high.

fiddlybits · 02-07-2016, 08:36 AM

Water pump may be more efficient at moving thicker glycol mix than water and the radiator can not keep up with flow at speed.

chl · 02-07-2016, 08:40 AM

a small leak hitting the fan will throw coolant everywhere,happened to me last fall.

Royce P · 02-07-2016, 08:45 AM

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You might have a mud dauber plugged overflow tube. Better check that and all the other good suggestions.

The fluid needs to be just above the tubes when warm. When the coolant is cold it will be just about to the top of the tubes. Drive around some more and it will reach its own ideal level.

Mitch//pa · 02-07-2016, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobpo1

I recently switched over to 50/50 mix in the radiator in my '30 coupe. Took it out for a drive to town yesterday (beautiful) and when heading back home I got 'er up to 53 mph for a while. When I got home, I noticed some anti freeze under the hood and a little on the windshield. Not normal at all.

I think I have maybe a 1/2 inch too much in the radiator. It's over the core maybe an inch. TOO MUCH....?

Yes

caperss · 02-07-2016, 09:12 AM

Being new to Model A's I made that mistake just last week. Checking all the fluids I noticed there was a lot of air above the coolant level in the radiator. Obviously not thinking old school I filled it up to about an inch under the cap. Guess what happened the next time I used it? Yup, coolant draining from the overflow. Ok, so once it stops overflowing then I guess that's will be the correct level of coolant. Am I correct in that assumption all other items being correct?

marty in Ohio · 02-07-2016, 09:57 AM

They tend to seek their own level.

Mike V. Florida · 02-07-2016, 10:03 AM

Measure the amount you need to add to get it to the same level as before the drive. Replicate the drive and see if you need to add the same amount. If yes, like marty said it has found it's own level.

I add water every couple of months it's always the same amount. I do it because I can't see the water level in the radiator and want to be sure it's really at the correct level.

Patrick L. · 02-07-2016, 10:37 AM

You may want to drain a bit out just until you see the fluid level just below the baffle.

jm29henry · 02-07-2016, 10:42 AM

I agree with Marty in Ohio even car from 60 70 & 80 need to find there level as long as she is not over heating giver her a chance

JOHN CT · 02-07-2016, 10:59 AM

You can't fill the radiator to the top 1- you don't have a over flow tank , so you need room for expansion when water gets hot it expands !

bobpo1 · 02-07-2016, 11:35 AM

I am almost positive that I have a little too much fluid and I will drain a bit out once the engine is warmed up. I will also check for daubers in the overflow tube. Thanks for the "Rapid Response".

bobpo1 · 02-07-2016, 11:44 AM

I have to tell you however, that little Model A is a real PIP to drive, even when it's spraying some radiator fluid out the radiator. Just to take "Miss Tillie" to MacDonalds in our little rural town to the "Old Timers Coffee Clutch" and watch the looks she get makes it all worth while....

Thanks again

1Tudoor · 02-07-2016, 12:28 PM

I recently added a water temp gauge to my tudoor as knowing real temps up front can avert a disaster & as well help understand radiator levels & overflows .
If the rural roads here weren't thick w/ salt , I'd be out putzing around enjoying the A or one of my street rods .

02-07-2016, 07:52 AM	#1
bobpo1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 301	1/2" too Much Water? I recently switched over to 50/50 mix in the radiator in my '30 coupe. Took it out for a drive to town yesterday (beautiful) and when heading back home I got 'er up to 53 mph for a while. When I got home, I noticed some anti freeze under the hood and a little on the windshield. Not normal at all. I think I have maybe a 1/2 inch too much in the radiator. It's over the core maybe an inch. TOO MUCH....?

02-07-2016, 08:13 AM	#2
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? I have always been told to the top of the core and that works great for me and most. Why experiment with more if it works for others? I also drive mine at 45 where it is very happy! In my opinion 53 is testing it for no purpose, After all she is over 80 years old. Wayne

02-07-2016, 08:26 AM	#3
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? I would think that the odds are you have a bit too much. Is your radiator cap gasket in good shape? Any excess water should exit out the overflow tube at the bottom of the radiator and would not be likely to get on your windshield. Another thing that could possibly be causing water to be pushed out is a leaking head gasket into the cooling system. But since you just changed the water I would lean more towards it being too high. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

02-07-2016, 08:36 AM	#4
fiddlybits Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: N Illinois Posts: 447	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? Water pump may be more efficient at moving thicker glycol mix than water and the radiator can not keep up with flow at speed.

02-07-2016, 08:40 AM	#5
chl Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Nicholson, Pa. Posts: 84	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? a small leak hitting the fan will throw coolant everywhere,happened to me last fall.

02-07-2016, 08:45 AM	#6
Royce P Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa OK Posts: 476	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You might have a mud dauber plugged overflow tube. Better check that and all the other good suggestions. The fluid needs to be just above the tubes when warm. When the coolant is cold it will be just about to the top of the tubes. Drive around some more and it will reach its own ideal level. __________________ 1910 Touring 1914 Touring 1915 Touring 1917 Torpedo Runabout

02-07-2016, 09:12 AM	#8
caperss Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Pass Christian, MS Posts: 20	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? Being new to Model A's I made that mistake just last week. Checking all the fluids I noticed there was a lot of air above the coolant level in the radiator. Obviously not thinking old school I filled it up to about an inch under the cap. Guess what happened the next time I used it? Yup, coolant draining from the overflow. Ok, so once it stops overflowing then I guess that's will be the correct level of coolant. Am I correct in that assumption all other items being correct?

02-07-2016, 09:57 AM	#9
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 756	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? They tend to seek their own level.

02-07-2016, 10:03 AM	#10
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? Measure the amount you need to add to get it to the same level as before the drive. Replicate the drive and see if you need to add the same amount. If yes, like marty said it has found it's own level. I add water every couple of months it's always the same amount. I do it because I can't see the water level in the radiator and want to be sure it's really at the correct level. __________________ 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

02-07-2016, 10:37 AM	#11
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? You may want to drain a bit out just until you see the fluid level just below the baffle.

02-07-2016, 10:42 AM	#12
jm29henry Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: michigan Posts: 1,126	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? I agree with Marty in Ohio even car from 60 70 & 80 need to find there level as long as she is not over heating giver her a chance

02-07-2016, 10:59 AM	#13
JOHN CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: In my garage Posts: 465	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? You can't fill the radiator to the top 1- you don't have a over flow tank , so you need room for expansion when water gets hot it expands !

02-07-2016, 11:35 AM	#14
bobpo1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 301	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? I am almost positive that I have a little too much fluid and I will drain a bit out once the engine is warmed up. I will also check for daubers in the overflow tube. Thanks for the "Rapid Response".

02-07-2016, 11:44 AM	#15
bobpo1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 301	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? I have to tell you however, that little Model A is a real PIP to drive, even when it's spraying some radiator fluid out the radiator. Just to take "Miss Tillie" to MacDonalds in our little rural town to the "Old Timers Coffee Clutch" and watch the looks she get makes it all worth while.... Thanks again

02-07-2016, 12:28 PM	#16
1Tudoor Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Upstate in NY's beautifull hills Posts: 173	Re: 1/2" too Much Water? I recently added a water temp gauge to my tudoor as knowing real temps up front can avert a disaster & as well help understand radiator levels & overflows . If the rural roads here weren't thick w/ salt , I'd be out putzing around enjoying the A or one of my street rods .