The Ford Barn

1930artdeco · 06-30-2016, 09:55 PM

Here is what is happening. I am slowly losing water and I think I know where it is going. I am not losing it out of the over flow tube as I have a nail in it to prevent that or at least really slow it down. It is also not leaking out of the pump as it is dry underneath the pump. So that leaves me with a crack in the block on an exhaust valve.

I understand she will find her own level but last weekend I added more than the usual 2-3 cups. We were also going through the Oakland hills which meant lots of up and downs on a warm day in the high 80's. So if I have to pull the head to verify what should I use to clean the block with as long as the head is off?

Mike

Tom Wesenberg · 06-30-2016, 10:14 PM

I would connect a hose to the overflow tube and run the hose into a gallon jug hanging from the radiator support rod. This way you will know if any coolant is going out the overflow.

I'd use Evaporust to clean the block.

Utopia Texas · 07-01-2016, 06:57 AM

I would first check the oil level to see if it has gone up and then drain a cup of oil from the pan to see what color the oil may be at this time. If the oil level is up and/or the oil in the bottom of the pan is milky looking you will know where the coolant is going.

tbirdtbird · 07-01-2016, 10:44 AM

agree more diagnosis is needed before yanking the head

eagle · 07-01-2016, 11:13 AM

A note of caution...It sounds to me like you are jumping to conclusions. I agree with Tom's version of troubleshooting the problem. Although if it was me, I would connect a hose to radiator overflow and run it into the cab, so I can watch in real time what is happening.

Mitch//pa · 07-01-2016, 11:46 AM

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There are tests that can be done ,, combustion gas in cooling system checker, leak down ..
more observation and diagnosis. Checking the oil is easy for discoloration and any coolant will come out first when cracking the drain plug..
Slow down and think things through

Jon · 07-01-2016, 02:59 PM

I would not add the 2-3 cups and drive it see if it stays. That was the first mistake I made when I bought my Model A, trying to keep it too full.

Joef21 · 07-01-2016, 03:04 PM

If it is crack into the exhaust valves you won't see it in the oil, but you should see a white exhaust from your tailpipe if you run antifreeze in your cooling system.

1930artdeco · 07-01-2016, 03:59 PM

Thanks, guys. When I swapped manifold gaskets I swore I saw rust in the exhaust port and then coupled with losing a good amount of water on this last trip I got real nervous. But I will do some more testing to see if I really have a problem or I am just paranoid. Probably the latter.

Mike

Special Coupe Frank · 07-01-2016, 04:28 PM

If you have a deck crack into an exhaust port, water / coolant will seep through, and collect in the exhaust manifold, possibly in the cylinder if the engine comes to rest with the exhaust valve open.

Next time you go to start the car, the engine might meet resistance of collected water in cylinder, and when the engine does start, you will have a LOT of white "smoke", and possibly even water droplets blowing out the exhaust if you blip the throttle.

If you're really paranoid, drain and reserve your 50/50 coolant, and refill with plain water until you've got this sorted-out, that way if there is an internal leak, would won't be exposing your babbitt to anti-freeze ( which will destroy the babbitt ).

If you pull the head, and want to clean the block to look for cracks, you can scrape any carbon off the deck with a stiff, sharp putty knife, then go over the area between the exhaust seats and the cylinder bores with a scotch-bright pad and some carb cleaner, until the metal is bright.

Wipe clean with more carb cleaner and some paper towels.

If there are any deck cracks serious enough to leak coolant, they should be visible to the naked eye...

Good luck !

Frank

06-30-2016, 09:55 PM	#1
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,550	cleaning block w/o head on Here is what is happening. I am slowly losing water and I think I know where it is going. I am not losing it out of the over flow tube as I have a nail in it to prevent that or at least really slow it down. It is also not leaking out of the pump as it is dry underneath the pump. So that leaves me with a crack in the block on an exhaust valve. I understand she will find her own level but last weekend I added more than the usual 2-3 cups. We were also going through the Oakland hills which meant lots of up and downs on a warm day in the high 80's. So if I have to pull the head to verify what should I use to clean the block with as long as the head is off? Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

06-30-2016, 10:14 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: cleaning block w/o head on I would connect a hose to the overflow tube and run the hose into a gallon jug hanging from the radiator support rod. This way you will know if any coolant is going out the overflow. I'd use Evaporust to clean the block.

07-01-2016, 06:57 AM	#3
Utopia Texas Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Brookshire & Cat Spring,Texas Posts: 222	Re: cleaning block w/o head on I would first check the oil level to see if it has gone up and then drain a cup of oil from the pan to see what color the oil may be at this time. If the oil level is up and/or the oil in the bottom of the pan is milky looking you will know where the coolant is going.

07-01-2016, 10:44 AM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: cleaning block w/o head on agree more diagnosis is needed before yanking the head __________________ '31 180A

07-01-2016, 11:13 AM	#5
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: cleaning block w/o head on A note of caution...It sounds to me like you are jumping to conclusions. I agree with Tom's version of troubleshooting the problem. Although if it was me, I would connect a hose to radiator overflow and run it into the cab, so I can watch in real time what is happening. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

07-01-2016, 11:46 AM	#6
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: cleaning block w/o head on Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There are tests that can be done ,, combustion gas in cooling system checker, leak down .. more observation and diagnosis. Checking the oil is easy for discoloration and any coolant will come out first when cracking the drain plug.. Slow down and think things through

07-01-2016, 02:59 PM	#7
Jon Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI USA Posts: 166	Re: cleaning block w/o head on I would not add the 2-3 cups and drive it see if it stays. That was the first mistake I made when I bought my Model A, trying to keep it too full. __________________ John - Kalamazoo, MI

07-01-2016, 03:04 PM	#8
Joef21 Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 21	Re: cleaning block w/o head on If it is crack into the exhaust valves you won't see it in the oil, but you should see a white exhaust from your tailpipe if you run antifreeze in your cooling system.

07-01-2016, 03:59 PM	#9
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,550	Re: cleaning block w/o head on Thanks, guys. When I swapped manifold gaskets I swore I saw rust in the exhaust port and then coupled with losing a good amount of water on this last trip I got real nervous. But I will do some more testing to see if I really have a problem or I am just paranoid. Probably the latter. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

07-01-2016, 04:28 PM	#10
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: cleaning block w/o head on If you have a deck crack into an exhaust port, water / coolant will seep through, and collect in the exhaust manifold, possibly in the cylinder if the engine comes to rest with the exhaust valve open. Next time you go to start the car, the engine might meet resistance of collected water in cylinder, and when the engine does start, you will have a LOT of white "smoke", and possibly even water droplets blowing out the exhaust if you blip the throttle. If you're really paranoid, drain and reserve your 50/50 coolant, and refill with plain water until you've got this sorted-out, that way if there is an internal leak, would won't be exposing your babbitt to anti-freeze ( which will destroy the babbitt ). If you pull the head, and want to clean the block to look for cracks, you can scrape any carbon off the deck with a stiff, sharp putty knife, then go over the area between the exhaust seats and the cylinder bores with a scotch-bright pad and some carb cleaner, until the metal is bright. Wipe clean with more carb cleaner and some paper towels. If there are any deck cracks serious enough to leak coolant, they should be visible to the naked eye... Good luck ! Frank