Strange Cooling Issue
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 604
Likes: 154
From: NJ
Strange Cooling Issue
I have a '77 F150 4X4 351m C-6. Rebuilt motor new everything, water pump, radiator & hoses, stat, everything. Driving on Friday night and just before I pull in my driveway, I noticed it was running a little on the hot side. When I got out of the truck I noticed it was dumping coolant from the overflow tube, but not any place else? I waited until morning to check it out, it took about a 1/2 gallon of coolant, a little less than I put in it had to get some out. Took it for a ride and it seems to be fine??? Do you think that the cap could just be bad?? I am at a loss, afraid to take a long ride with it, might have the wife follow me. It does not smoke or anything like that and this it the first I ever had an issue.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 547
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I have a '77 F150 4X4 351m C-6. Rebuilt motor new everything, water pump, radiator & hoses, stat, everything. Driving on Friday night and just before I pull in my driveway, I noticed it was running a little on the hot side. When I got out of the truck I noticed it was dumping coolant from the overflow tube, but not any place else? I waited until morning to check it out, it took about a 1/2 gallon of coolant, a little less than I put in it had to get some out. Took it for a ride and it seems to be fine??? Do you think that the cap could just be bad?? I am at a loss, afraid to take a long ride with it, might have the wife follow me. It does not smoke or anything like that and this it the first I ever had an issue.
Dennis
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
No coolant recovery reservoirs were factory installed in these trucks except for 1973/74 F100's with 240 I-6 & M/T
Ford offered an accessory overflow reservoir kit at the parts counter for all FoMoCo vehicles that didn't come with it: D0AZ-8522-A
Ford offered an accessory overflow reservoir kit at the parts counter for all FoMoCo vehicles that didn't come with it: D0AZ-8522-A
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 7
From: Durham, NC
All of my trucks get a reservoir on the driver's side made out of nothing else but... A gallon container from the antifreeze with a hole poked on top and wired in. Works like a charm.
I too have noticed these rad's puke out til they are an inch or so down. Never really questioned it, just went with it.
I too have noticed these rad's puke out til they are an inch or so down. Never really questioned it, just went with it.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 7
From: Taxachusetts
You're fine. A "new" engine will run a bit hot anyway....just make sure the coolant level is an 1.0" - 1.5" below the top.
Factory gauges (if used) are notorious for terrible readings. Mechanical gauges are much better.
Factory gauges (if used) are notorious for terrible readings. Mechanical gauges are much better.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 604
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From: NJ
Thanks guys
I will install a overflow tank and see how it goes. I am using the factory gauge which always reads a little on the cool side. But it was about half way and it felt kinda sluggish just as I got to my driveway. Up until that it was running fine. I can say that I installed a plastic/aluminum radiator, when I needed it that was all that I could find. Not a big fan of it, but has never given me an issue.
I will install a overflow tank and see how it goes. I am using the factory gauge which always reads a little on the cool side. But it was about half way and it felt kinda sluggish just as I got to my driveway. Up until that it was running fine. I can say that I installed a plastic/aluminum radiator, when I needed it that was all that I could find. Not a big fan of it, but has never given me an issue.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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Those new style aluminum/plastic rads work really well, at least in a cross-flow configuration. Top-flow rads probably don't suffer when made with an aluminium core, as well.
If you're going to add a recovery tank, then do you not need to change to a radiator cap which is designed for recovery? I'm pretty sure they're different, and while an old puke-on-the-ground style rad cap will let expanded coolant out, it won't let it back in upon cool-down, contraction, and the resultant vacuum. I could be wrong about that though too...
If you're going to add a recovery tank, then do you not need to change to a radiator cap which is designed for recovery? I'm pretty sure they're different, and while an old puke-on-the-ground style rad cap will let expanded coolant out, it won't let it back in upon cool-down, contraction, and the resultant vacuum. I could be wrong about that though too...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
First thing I’d do is hook up a aftermarket gauge and see what it’s actually running at. There is a good chance that you don’t actually have a problem. As others have said the factory gauges are not accurate. Also if your going to run a coolant recovery tank make sure you get a rad cap with the two way seals in it so when you shut the truck off and it cools down it will actually pull coolant up from the tank keeping the rad topped up. Also make sure you put the right thermostat in it. 351m/400s take a special kind. And lastly make sure you are running a fan shroud. Good luck
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
I hope that you bought the JD in large bottles. The smaller bottles may not have enough capacity for a big cooling system if there is a large range in the temperature from ambient to operating temperature.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Likes: 153
Pump it up with a rad. psi checker to make sure it doesn't leak. The tester will also check caps with the right adapter, any rad. shop will let you use theirs out in their parking lot. Then you will know for sure if it's ok.