Illinois Railway Museum
 

GREENHORNETJEFF says:
I am the Motor Bus Dept Manager at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois, 60 miles northwest of Chicago. We have a 1944 Ford Transit Bus that is equipped with a 1952 Ford 8RT engine. No matter what we do, we cannot seem to resolve an overheating problem. We are in serious need of finding an "8RT" expert in the Chicago-Milwaukee area who can help us solve this seemingly unsolvable problem. Can you help us find such a person or persons? Thanks. Jeff

Can anyone help these Guys?
Thanks

Illinois Railway Museum
 

Although I am in Canada and won't be much help, I just wanted to say I have a '52 239 8RT flathead in my '52 half ton. I have never had an overheating problem, nor have I even had a close call. It is a daily driver and even driven on blisteringly hot days. It is completely original asside from dual exhaust. 180 degree t-stats.

Illinois Railway Museum
 

Hey, we let Canadians help, just some of them we keep muzzels on.

Illinois Railway Museum
 

:)

I'm just saying I'm not in the Milwaukee area hehe.

Anyway, here is what I have going on with my flathead.
-I run more water than coolant, it definatly keeps it cooler.
-The 180 degree stats I have seem a little high, they are nice when it is cold out and I use the heater but otherwise if I got new ones they would be 160s.
-My rad looks original but when I took it to a shop to have a hole repaired, the guy said it is a newer core.

Some guys that modify thier flatheads use newer electric fans, but if the '44 is still 6 volt I guess your out of luck.

Like I said, I drive my flathead daily and have never had an overheating problem... maybe I am just lucky... but I won't be able to help you out much as far as that problem goes. :confused:

Illinois Railway Museum
 

I just brought this post over from another noard to try and get these guys some help