Just pulled the radiator out of the 53 c600. what started out as a "just going to replace the thermostats" has turned into pulling rad. was thinking about soaking it in the wifes jetted tub but am sure there are better less deadly options. . like taking it to radiator shop to have it cleaned. how much could i expect to pay for that service? i havent even called around yet as i wasnt planning on this.

maybe i can just hose it out some bu doubt it would do anything.

 

Btw. it didnt even have thermostats in. it was starting to overheat after just a few miles.

 

About a hundred bucks to have it acid cleaned and rodded out, more if repairs are needed

 

Thanks, sounds reasonable. hopefully it does not need anything else. it looks pretty decent and no bent fins etc, just when looking in there after i drained it you could see all the crap clogging the thing up.

seems like i see alot of these flatheads being run without thermostats. not sure why though? any reason why i should not run thermostats in the beast after the cleaning? i would think that if the block and rad where clean then it may need the thermostats just to get hot in cooler weather?

 

A well cleaned Flathead cooling system, block and radiator, should have thermostats or restrictors installed to run properly

 

you need the thermostats for the cooling they slow the water flow down so it stays in the rad longer so it has a chance to cool down. good luck with the rad i had to replace no one around me would touch mine

 

Most people pull the thermostat when the start having a overheating problem... It helps for a short bit but then you have twice the amount to repair when you clean the radiator. I was once told by a old timer that he uses filtered water and anti freeze, he changed it regularly and never had a problem of overheating or calcium buildup from tap water.

 

Just dropped it off for cleaning, hopefully everything comes back ok. now to try and flush out the block a little bit as well while the radiator is out...

 

flush it out really good and don't be surprised if a lot of sand comes out they didn't do a great job of cleaning them out at the foundry

 

Don't forget that each side of the engine is a separate system so both sides need flushed - Flatmotors are twice the fun

 

Thanks Guys, Ya I really should pull the water pumps off to help flush everything really good but, then that will just lead to something else being taken apart and instead of driving it this weekend I'll be doing something else...

 

oh your not getting your radiator back for weeks

 

hahaha, I sure hope not! I did ask how soon they would be done and I should have it back tommorrow. Thanks; now I'm going to be thinking about that..

My wife did get nervous when she got home last night and I was pulling the radiator out. trucks supposed to be in the St Patties Day parade on Saturday.

 

It really, really helps to pull the WP's and tilt the engine down at the front. The block sits angled to the rear, and there were no drain plugs at the rear, so all the junk collects there. It's a shame you don't have the heads off, you could really blast the junk out.

 

You can pays me now or you can pays me later

If you don't flush the block your radiator is gonna get glogged again - Sorry but thats Flathead truth.