model A overheating

[rodneystock]

help needed i am in uk and have just purchased a 1931 model a, after a four mile run the car pumped out over 4 litres of water and the car overheated. is this firstly a common fault with model a ,and secondly can someone advise on the hand controls on the steering column please,

[Bob C]

See page 6 of the Instruction Manual for hand controls.
http://www.palmbeachas.com/Model-A-I...ion-Manual.pdf

[700rpm]

Overheating is common if the radiator or any part of the cooling systmem is clogged with rust or grease. First thing to try is a drain test. If the water drains out of the radiator quickly it’s probably OK. If it is very slow it’s clogged or damaged or myriad other troubles in the cooling system, and which may end up requiring a new radiator.
Check your oil to make sure no water is escaping into the pan.

[rodneystock]

thanks bob c

[rodneystock]

thank you ray, is there a model a specialist that i can call to chat about the car to learn more about it

[nkaminar]

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Drain any coolant remaining in the system using the small petcock at the bottom of the bottom radiator hose (metal part). Save any coolant that has antifreeze in it. You may have to poke a wire in the petcock to start the flow.

Disconnect the top and bottom radiator hoses. Look for a thermostat in the top radiator hose and remove it. Leave the thermostat out when you put things back together. Plug the bottom hose with something like a dog ball. Fill the radiator with plain water to the top. Remove the bottom plug and time how long it takes for the radiator to drain. It should drain in 2 to 3 seconds.

If you find that the radiator is plugged you can take the car to a radiator shop to have it flushed out or try doing it yourself. Some people use vinegar to flush the radiator.

Look at the condition of the radiator. Are the fins tight on the tubes?

There are a number of other things that can cause a car to run hot: Ignition too advanced or retarded, carburetor too rich or lean, low oil, driving too fast, etc.

Your expert is the book that had the link to it in an earlier post by Bob C.

[Jacksonlll]

If at all possible, get a new radiator and save yourself a lot of work and disappointment.

[Kurt in NJ]

The controls on the left is the spark advance, if you leave it all the way up the spark is retarded, that alone can cause overheating, start with it all the way up, once started go to 1/2 way, above 40 mph move it near all the way, if you hear pinging/ spark knock retard it just enough to stop it--- the lever on the right is for fast idle, or hand throttle, the rod with the knob is the choke when pulling it. Rotating it changes the mixture, to the left is rich, usually cold engine 1/2-3/4 turn, warmed up about 1/4 turn or less

[Bob C]

If you were not familiar with the spark control you may have been running
to retarded which will cause the engine to over heat.

[Bill G]

At 111 degrees outside, the Model A is overheating and it hasn't even been run in two days!

[jm29henry]

Listen to Jackson! My dude knows!!!

[MickyD]

You must have been dieing in that heat. When I lived in Centralia, WA I never seen it get higher than in the 80's. I am sure the high heat had something to do with overheating.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by rodneystock

thank you ray, is there a model a specialist that i can call to chat about the car to learn more about it

Where are you located? Put it in your avatar/login info. There might be someone right next door, or he or she might be 800 miles away. Can’t give good advice without some sense of your spot on the planet.

[johnbuckley]

Originally Posted by rodneystock

.... is there a model a specialist that i can call to chat about the car to learn more about it

Yes! Join the Model A Ford Club of Great Britain (if you've not already done so) and then have access to the pooled knowledge of Regional Contacts , Technical Advisers, Committee members ready to answer the phone or email ,and nationwide monthly Tuesday Technical chats on Zoom. visit https://www.mafcgb.org.uk/