loosing coolant
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 10
From: essex, CT
loosing coolant
I just finishing reading a thread from 2013 on this problem with 239 V8 flat head engine. But it has lead to more questions. Specifically;
1. How do you which head goes on which side? Are there markings on the head?
2. How do know which head gasket goes on what side, and what side should face the block verses the head?
3. Is there a way to see if one of the water pump is not doing operating properly?
There is no sign of coolant in the oil, and no smell or vapor coming from the exhaust. It seems as if its all going out thru the overflow.
I will be checking all of the suggestions: timing, spark plug condition, compression and testing each side for a temperature variant.
1. How do you which head goes on which side? Are there markings on the head?
2. How do know which head gasket goes on what side, and what side should face the block verses the head?
3. Is there a way to see if one of the water pump is not doing operating properly?
There is no sign of coolant in the oil, and no smell or vapor coming from the exhaust. It seems as if its all going out thru the overflow.
I will be checking all of the suggestions: timing, spark plug condition, compression and testing each side for a temperature variant.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,300
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
1. The thermostats go to the front, pretty obvious. RH head has casting number 6049, and has two holes at the center for the heater connection and temp sender; LH head is 6050 and has only one hole in the center.
2. The head gaskets are usually marked "FRONT". They'll only fit the correct side if you follow the markings. "FRONT" is usually facing up.
3. Leave the radiator cap off and start the engine. When the thermostats open, you can feel the pipes/hoses from each bank suddenly warm up. That won't tell you if one pump is weak, just that some flow is happening.
Does your radiator have a tube that extends downwards ~2" in the filler? The cold fill level of the radiator is the bottom of that tube. These trucks hold 22 quarts of coolant, at least 3X the amount of many modern systems. That will expand quite a bit as it heats. If you overfill it, it will spit it out.
2. The head gaskets are usually marked "FRONT". They'll only fit the correct side if you follow the markings. "FRONT" is usually facing up.
3. Leave the radiator cap off and start the engine. When the thermostats open, you can feel the pipes/hoses from each bank suddenly warm up. That won't tell you if one pump is weak, just that some flow is happening.
Does your radiator have a tube that extends downwards ~2" in the filler? The cold fill level of the radiator is the bottom of that tube. These trucks hold 22 quarts of coolant, at least 3X the amount of many modern systems. That will expand quite a bit as it heats. If you overfill it, it will spit it out.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,920
Likes: 21
From: Bothell & Silverdale, WA
The old method of coolant level in the radiator allowed for a lot of air in the system, and we have since learned that isn't desirable. I suggest you install a simple coolant recovery reservoir kit and keep your radiator free of air.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 10
From: essex, CT
follow up on coolant lose
The heads on the right sides which is obvious.
I started engine, and waited to see which hose headed up...............it was the left/driver's side, not the right side. This leads me to believe that the right side thermostat may not be working staying closed. Is it possible that this might cause a blown head gasket?.
Suppose best to pull the plugs on the right side to see if we can find any moisture.
As far as the 2" tube ,mention oin your reply post, the brass tube in the radiator goes down 4" which is about a 1/2" or so above the tubes for the radiator fins.
Thanks for your help, again.
I started engine, and waited to see which hose headed up...............it was the left/driver's side, not the right side. This leads me to believe that the right side thermostat may not be working staying closed. Is it possible that this might cause a blown head gasket?.
Suppose best to pull the plugs on the right side to see if we can find any moisture.
As far as the 2" tube ,mention oin your reply post, the brass tube in the radiator goes down 4" which is about a 1/2" or so above the tubes for the radiator fins.
Thanks for your help, again.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,300
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
If the RH thermostat just flat never opens, yes, it could cause the head gasket to leak. As cheap as they are, I'd replace the stats and see if the issues are gone. Good idea to pull the plugs and check them for any obvious signs of coolant. If the head gaskets have been recently replaced, check the torque on the head bolts.
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