The Ford Barn

Gwill65074 · 03-17-2015, 08:57 AM

I have been having trouble with my engine overheating and can't figure it out. Last fall when it started I pulled the manifolds off and had to dress them slightly before reinstalling. This didn't seem to help. I found that if I ran the mixture knob at about half open that it tended to run OK. Last week I got it out and decided to tune it up and I replaced the condenser and reset the timing. After that I readjusted the idle mixture screw to 1 1/2 turns and reset my idle with the advance fully retarded. Drove it about 2 blocks and it boiled over. I don't ink I have a blown gasket since I don't get any blow by at the radiator when I load the engine on a hill.
Anyone got any suggestions at this point? Glen

Gerald D. Walker · 03-17-2015, 09:27 AM

May be a bad THERMOSTAT if you have one installed.

TerryH · 03-17-2015, 09:30 AM

Most overheating problems can be traced to either a clogged radiator, retarded timing, or too lean a fuel mixture. I would be sure to address all of those first. If the radiator is clogged, it may need to be rodded out by an expert.

Gwill65074 · 03-17-2015, 09:33 AM

Thanks

billwill · 03-17-2015, 10:14 AM

I would take compression check Good luck

Gwill65074 · 03-17-2015, 10:27 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I plan on doing that next and then tear down the tillitson carb.

eagle · 03-17-2015, 10:35 AM

Are you talking a full "boil over" or are you talking spewing some water? The water level on an A should stay below the baffle when looking in the radiator top. 2 blocks is really quick to be in full boil over mode. Start the engine and run at a slow idle, take some WD40 or starting fluid and spray around the intake manifold, if the rpms change that will tell you you have an intake manifold leak. From your post it difficult to determine but you aren't running it with the spark retarded, are you? Once it starts, pull the lever down 2/3 of the way or so until you find the spot where it doesn't ping but runs "right". When adjusting the GAV at idle, close it then open 1/4 to 1/2 turn, you should be able to hear the engine smooth out. If not, once again check the intake gasket and also the carb to intake gasket. I would definitely not "tear down" anything until the problem is properly diagnosed. Don't fix it until you know whats broke!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-17-2015, 10:37 AM

Our most common problem is rust flakes in the top of the tubes !!!
A backflush every 6 months keeps it in check.
Drop a roofing nail in the top of overflow tube to prevent loss of coolant from "splash over". The coolant REALLY churns around in the top tank, at higher speeds!!! Just rev it up & watch it with the cap off!!!
Bill W.

Gwill65074 · 03-17-2015, 11:36 AM

Thanks Guys

rocket1 · 03-17-2015, 01:56 PM

you can also use propane to test for intake manifold leaks,but not in the garage! Many replacement radiators over the years were inadequate in cooling,I would check the coolant temp.when you say it overheats.

1crosscut · 03-17-2015, 06:48 PM

I agree with Eagle on his question of is it really boiling over or is it spewing water because it is over full.

How full do you have the radiator?
How hot is it?
Have you actually tested the temperature of the water?
Go down to your grocery store or a Bed Bath and Beyond or something like it and get a cheap meat thermometor and actually test the water temperature.

Once you establish that is actually overheating then you can start looking at options to fix it.

Lots of things can cause overheating.
Rust on top of the tubes like Bill says.
Retarded timing.
Fins detached from the tubes.
Paint too thick on the fins.
Fan belt slipping.
Radiator tubes clogged.

Have you checked the torque on the head to make sure it is not pushing combustion gases into the cooling system?

Others will have more ideas I'm sure.

Quigley1930 · 03-17-2015, 09:01 PM

You said you set the idle with the advance fully retarded. Did you jump in and drive two miles still retarded? Don't ask me how I know about this

Sewall Tyler

Jacksonlll · 03-19-2015, 09:01 PM

Sure sounds like your combustion gases are getting by the head gasket and into the water jacket.

03-17-2015, 08:57 AM	#1
Gwill65074 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 196	Overheating problem I have been having trouble with my engine overheating and can't figure it out. Last fall when it started I pulled the manifolds off and had to dress them slightly before reinstalling. This didn't seem to help. I found that if I ran the mixture knob at about half open that it tended to run OK. Last week I got it out and decided to tune it up and I replaced the condenser and reset the timing. After that I readjusted the idle mixture screw to 1 1/2 turns and reset my idle with the advance fully retarded. Drove it about 2 blocks and it boiled over. I don't ink I have a blown gasket since I don't get any blow by at the radiator when I load the engine on a hill. Anyone got any suggestions at this point? Glen

03-17-2015, 09:27 AM	#2
Gerald D. Walker Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Georgetown, Texas Posts: 18	Re: Overheating problem May be a bad THERMOSTAT if you have one installed.

03-17-2015, 09:30 AM	#3
TerryH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, Calif. Posts: 937	Re: Overheating problem Most overheating problems can be traced to either a clogged radiator, retarded timing, or too lean a fuel mixture. I would be sure to address all of those first. If the radiator is clogged, it may need to be rodded out by an expert.

03-17-2015, 09:33 AM	#4
Gwill65074 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 196	Re: Overheating problem Thanks

03-17-2015, 10:14 AM	#5
billwill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: capemaynewjersey Posts: 653	Re: Overheating problem I would take compression check Good luck

03-17-2015, 10:27 AM	#6
Gwill65074 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 196	Re: Overheating problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I plan on doing that next and then tear down the tillitson carb.

03-17-2015, 10:35 AM	#7
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Overheating problem Are you talking a full "boil over" or are you talking spewing some water? The water level on an A should stay below the baffle when looking in the radiator top. 2 blocks is really quick to be in full boil over mode. Start the engine and run at a slow idle, take some WD40 or starting fluid and spray around the intake manifold, if the rpms change that will tell you you have an intake manifold leak. From your post it difficult to determine but you aren't running it with the spark retarded, are you? Once it starts, pull the lever down 2/3 of the way or so until you find the spot where it doesn't ping but runs "right". When adjusting the GAV at idle, close it then open 1/4 to 1/2 turn, you should be able to hear the engine smooth out. If not, once again check the intake gasket and also the carb to intake gasket. I would definitely not "tear down" anything until the problem is properly diagnosed. Don't fix it until you know whats broke!

03-17-2015, 10:37 AM	#8
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Overheating problem Our most common problem is rust flakes in the top of the tubes !!! A backflush every 6 months keeps it in check. Drop a roofing nail in the top of overflow tube to prevent loss of coolant from "splash over". The coolant REALLY churns around in the top tank, at higher speeds!!! Just rev it up & watch it with the cap off!!! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

03-17-2015, 11:36 AM	#9
Gwill65074 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Blue Springs, Missouri Posts: 196	Re: Overheating problem Thanks Guys

03-17-2015, 01:56 PM	#10
rocket1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midland Park,N.J. Posts: 1,108	Re: Overheating problem you can also use propane to test for intake manifold leaks,but not in the garage! Many replacement radiators over the years were inadequate in cooling,I would check the coolant temp.when you say it overheats.

03-17-2015, 06:48 PM	#11
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,909	Re: Overheating problem I agree with Eagle on his question of is it really boiling over or is it spewing water because it is over full. How full do you have the radiator? How hot is it? Have you actually tested the temperature of the water? Go down to your grocery store or a Bed Bath and Beyond or something like it and get a cheap meat thermometor and actually test the water temperature. Once you establish that is actually overheating then you can start looking at options to fix it. Lots of things can cause overheating. Rust on top of the tubes like Bill says. Retarded timing. Fins detached from the tubes. Paint too thick on the fins. Fan belt slipping. Radiator tubes clogged. Have you checked the torque on the head to make sure it is not pushing combustion gases into the cooling system? Others will have more ideas I'm sure. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

03-17-2015, 09:01 PM	#12
Quigley1930 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Middleburg, Virginia Posts: 421	Re: Overheating problem You said you set the idle with the advance fully retarded. Did you jump in and drive two miles still retarded? Don't ask me how I know about this Sewall Tyler

03-19-2015, 09:01 PM	#13
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Overheating problem Sure sounds like your combustion gases are getting by the head gasket and into the water jacket.