The Ford Barn

hdleaksoil · 01-16-2017, 08:45 AM

1936 ford runs hot if I drive it 50mph an above . 45mph an below runs cool !!! what is wrong with it ?? Or do I need to put a 6 cylinder Chevrolet in it to run above 45 mph ??? thanks len

VeryTangled · 01-16-2017, 09:58 AM

Hi Everyone. I'll jump in...

Not enough coolant?

Wonky thermostats.

Water pumps not working up to snuff.

Radiator not working correctly.

Splash pans missing causing more air to go around radiator.

Timing.

Can you give a more complete description of your '36's engine, intake, distributor, etc? I hope that would give more focused suggestions.

rockfla · 01-16-2017, 11:50 AM

@hdleaksoil

There is a lot of missing information here!!! Is the car new to you? Has the radiator been properly flushed and pressure checked, the above post hit on a lot of areas of concern!!!!!! IF new to you, have you flushed both the block & radiator??? Can you remove the radiator cap and see a good flow of water through the upper tank at idle or slightly increased RPM?????

alanwoodieman · 01-16-2017, 12:49 PM

what year engine? rear end ratio? both of these can be added to questions that need to answered before help can be given.

Kurt in NJ · 01-16-2017, 01:09 PM

Most likely the radiator is partially clogged, drain down the coolant enough to see the tops of the tubes, see how many are clogged, on mine 1/2 were

G.M. · 01-16-2017, 02:18 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

You have the questions to solve your problem. This is the problem Ford
had since these cars were new. The problem is at over 50 MPH the water
backs up in the top tank. The pumps as bad as they are start pushing
water out the over flow tube. There are 144 radiator tubes that are 2
feet long with some old material lining the insides of them. The over flow
comes off the top tank and at 50 MPH the water takes the path of least
resistance, out the over flow tube. Then you are low on water and the
engine runs hot. To test my theory put about 3 feet of clear plastic
flexible tubing about 5/16" ID from the hardware store on the bottom
of the over flow tube. Bring it on the drivers side near the front of the
frame. Loop it up and hang it from the radiator support rod under the
hood. Take a spring loaded wood cloths pin to pinch it closed. Fill the
radiator up near the cap. Make sure the cap is tight and seals good or
water will come from the cap. Drive the car and watch your temp gauge.
With the radiator FULL of water the car moving forward at least 25 MPH it
should run cool. The fans in these cars are not very good so it takes the ram
air into the radiator to cool it. If it gets over 200 remove the cloths pin. If
there is a compression leak into the cooling system the pressure should
open the cloths pin to release the pressure MAYBE, this is not a precision
relief valve. If this works Skip Haney makes a 3 lb pressure valve that
attaches to the bottom of the over flow tube. Let me know the results. G.M.

VeryTangled · 01-16-2017, 09:24 PM

One thing I just thought of... If this is a stock enough '36 then the temp gauge is a fluid sight type.

When you say it's hot, is it spilling fluids or is it 'hot' on the dash, or are you going off some other indication?

01-16-2017, 08:45 AM	#1
hdleaksoil Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 32	1936 ford runs hot 1936 ford runs hot if I drive it 50mph an above . 45mph an below runs cool !!! what is wrong with it ?? Or do I need to put a 6 cylinder Chevrolet in it to run above 45 mph ??? thanks len

01-16-2017, 09:58 AM	#2
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: 1936 ford runs hot Hi Everyone. I'll jump in... Not enough coolant? Wonky thermostats. Water pumps not working up to snuff. Radiator not working correctly. Splash pans missing causing more air to go around radiator. Timing. Can you give a more complete description of your '36's engine, intake, distributor, etc? I hope that would give more focused suggestions. __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?

01-16-2017, 11:50 AM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,963	Re: 1936 ford runs hot @hdleaksoil There is a lot of missing information here!!! Is the car new to you? Has the radiator been properly flushed and pressure checked, the above post hit on a lot of areas of concern!!!!!! IF new to you, have you flushed both the block & radiator??? Can you remove the radiator cap and see a good flow of water through the upper tank at idle or slightly increased RPM?????

01-16-2017, 12:49 PM	#4
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,965	Re: 1936 ford runs hot what year engine? rear end ratio? both of these can be added to questions that need to answered before help can be given.

01-16-2017, 01:09 PM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: 1936 ford runs hot Most likely the radiator is partially clogged, drain down the coolant enough to see the tops of the tubes, see how many are clogged, on mine 1/2 were

01-16-2017, 02:18 PM	#6
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: 1936 ford runs hot Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You have the questions to solve your problem. This is the problem Ford had since these cars were new. The problem is at over 50 MPH the water backs up in the top tank. The pumps as bad as they are start pushing water out the over flow tube. There are 144 radiator tubes that are 2 feet long with some old material lining the insides of them. The over flow comes off the top tank and at 50 MPH the water takes the path of least resistance, out the over flow tube. Then you are low on water and the engine runs hot. To test my theory put about 3 feet of clear plastic flexible tubing about 5/16" ID from the hardware store on the bottom of the over flow tube. Bring it on the drivers side near the front of the frame. Loop it up and hang it from the radiator support rod under the hood. Take a spring loaded wood cloths pin to pinch it closed. Fill the radiator up near the cap. Make sure the cap is tight and seals good or water will come from the cap. Drive the car and watch your temp gauge. With the radiator FULL of water the car moving forward at least 25 MPH it should run cool. The fans in these cars are not very good so it takes the ram air into the radiator to cool it. If it gets over 200 remove the cloths pin. If there is a compression leak into the cooling system the pressure should open the cloths pin to release the pressure MAYBE, this is not a precision relief valve. If this works Skip Haney makes a 3 lb pressure valve that attaches to the bottom of the over flow tube. Let me know the results. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com Last edited by G.M.; 01-16-2017 at 05:14 PM.

01-16-2017, 09:24 PM	#7
VeryTangled Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: (Not far enough...) Outside of DC Posts: 3,387	Re: 1936 ford runs hot One thing I just thought of... If this is a stock enough '36 then the temp gauge is a fluid sight type. When you say it's hot, is it spilling fluids or is it 'hot' on the dash, or are you going off some other indication? __________________ -Jeff H Have you thought about supporting the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum?