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08-06-2019, 02:59 PM | #1 |
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Radiator fill question
I recently purchased a very nice Brassworks radiator. My old radiator had no baffle in the filler neck, so I could plainly see where I wanted to fill the level with coolant. I would fill it to just a little over the tops of the tubes because if I filled it more than that, it would all blow out anyway. THat old radiator was falling apart and took many fills to keep it in water.
This is a '29 for what its worth. The new radiator has a baffle that absolutely hides the top tank from being able to see how much is there. I am pretty sure I am OK. The car runs nice and cool, and nothing is getting spewed out. There is under three gallons and over 2-1/2 gallons in it. The key point is that it does run cool and I know that because I am running a temp gauge. My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip? Any techniques for magically seeing down beyond the baffle? I am baffled. -Baffled in Walla Walla |
08-06-2019, 03:42 PM | #2 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
3 Gallons of distilled water let it seek its own level should be great with new radiator, I use rust inhibitor with my distilled water. should be just below the baffle. Not to worry.
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08-06-2019, 04:46 PM | #3 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
I use a flashlight and look into the neck and look left and right I can see the level
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08-07-2019, 11:30 AM | #4 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
I took a long punch and pried one side of the baffle down a bit to be able to see the level off to the side.
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08-07-2019, 12:03 PM | #5 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
I am not familiar with the Model A engine but here's how I overcame that issue on my 32 Model B. Sight glass enables me to establish that there is coolant above the water pump. I feel sure that the top water outlet casting on your cylinder head could be modified to provide a similar solution.
Let me know if you need further details and I will do my best to help |
08-07-2019, 12:14 PM | #6 | |
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Re: Radiator fill question
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Quote:
That might be my only solution. The baffle is really all around and does not allow for any sighting past it. The hole through the baffle for the overflow tube is pretty much the same diameter as the OD of the tube itself, so there is no peeking there either. |
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08-07-2019, 12:16 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Quote:
Thanks for the reply and that is indeed a great looking method. However, I was looking for a more simple approach. |
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08-07-2019, 12:24 PM | #8 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Magic.
There's nothing to it. A simple solution....mind over matter |
08-07-2019, 12:54 PM | #9 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Somewhere I have seen where a flexible clear tube/hose is added and run up along the side of the radiater. Same principle of a gas float gauge plugged into the bottom of the carb bowl. Sorry, can not remember where it was tapped in - Lower radiater neck, radiator petcock, lower coolant pipe? I believe it was plugged at the top to prevent any coolant loss, and plug removed to read the level.
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08-07-2019, 01:01 PM | #10 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
My radiator level is " just enough over the baffle". Just a tini amount. Then I know the level is OK.
I am new to the car, but I did 700 miles so far this year with the level at that point and all is going well with temp. |
08-07-2019, 01:02 PM | #11 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
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08-07-2019, 01:06 PM | #12 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
No whiskey just water and antifreeze.....the engine moves in the chassis whereas the radiator does not. The coils are to allow the tube to accept sideways reactions without stressing and breaking....the top of the tube exhausts in to the top radiator tank
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08-07-2019, 01:09 PM | #13 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Closed cab...a flexible transparent tube with have the same effect. Just essential that the top end is open otherwise the level will rise and fall with engine revs
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08-07-2019, 02:15 PM | #14 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
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08-07-2019, 08:01 PM | #15 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Snyders to the rescue
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08-07-2019, 10:11 PM | #16 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Fill it up to just over the baffle and run it for a while. It just might be happy at the level and stay there without pushing any out the overflow tube.
Worth a try.
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08-08-2019, 07:33 AM | #17 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
I put a short piece (8 inches) of leftover brake line down into my overflow tube with the shorter of the two nuts still on the flare. put the slightest of bends in the line to give it a little resistance going into the overflow. slide it in with the flare and nut up of course - push it all the way down until the nut and flare are on the top of the tube. raises the height of the overflow tube just enough so that the coolant remains above the baffle.
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08-08-2019, 09:50 AM | #18 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
$49.95 for that which I can buy at Ace hardware for $15?
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08-08-2019, 09:50 AM | #19 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Open the cap, look in, and rock the car a little. You should then see a little water!
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08-08-2019, 10:55 PM | #20 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
why don't you just fill it to the top and let it find its own level so much rocket surgery here
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08-09-2019, 07:14 AM | #21 | |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Quote:
I think he is concerned about being on a trip and the car overheating if the coolant goes low. Additionally, do not know if he is running antifreeze, but if so it can damage paint when it overflows/steams. "My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip?" |
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08-09-2019, 07:27 AM | #22 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
I cut a little wood stick that I could slide in along side the baffle. But, the car cooling system will seek it's own level on its own given everything is working right. (no headgasket leaks, no cracks in water jackets stuff that would allow exhaust pressure to get to coolant system)
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08-09-2019, 09:19 AM | #23 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
That's the way I've always filled my radiators and still do . If they overflow I still have the hose in my hand to rinse off and let the over flow tube do its job
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08-09-2019, 09:36 AM | #24 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
I have an original radiator with enough room between the baffle and over flow tube to slip a thin piece of cardboard (cereal box) down to the tubes.
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08-09-2019, 09:55 AM | #25 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
PM sent to 192.168.1.1
Last edited by Benson; 08-12-2019 at 06:43 PM. |
08-09-2019, 10:29 AM | #26 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
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08-11-2019, 04:56 PM | #27 |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Another option might be disposable wood coffee stirrers to act like a dipstick.
Amazon has them for around $3 per 1000. |
08-11-2019, 10:02 PM | #28 | |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Quote:
Here is what I did, full it up so I can see the water. Drive it for several hundred miles and fill it again checking how much I added. Drive it again for the same couple a hundred miles and add water. If the amount is the same I never checked it again for a year or so.
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08-12-2019, 11:41 AM | #29 | |
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Re: Radiator fill question
Quote:
When out on a drive, engine hot and running, you should see a good 1/2" of coolant over the baffle. So if you don't, add coolant to just cover the baffle a tiny bit and you are good to go. This is hot engine only, not cold. YMMV.
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