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I have just acquired a 1966 C-600 with the 330MD engine, New Process 435 transmission, and Eaton 2 speed rear axle. It is in very good condition. I have only had a chance to drive it a few miles. Drove it a couple of miles yesterday evening in 100 degree temps (AZ!). This morning I found a small puddle of coolant on the floor- maybe 1/2 cup or so. I tilted the cab and there is coolant around the radiator cap on the radiator. I am thinking it came out of the overflow tube on the radiator neck. There is no hose attached here. I just received the factory service manual. It shows many different radiator setups, with and without supply tanks. I do have a supply tank. None of the setups in the manual are exactly like what I have, with the cap on the radiator, as well as on the supply tank. I have a larger hose going from the thermostat housing to the supply tank. The only other hose on the supply tank is the overflow hose. There is a small fitting (1/4" pipe thread?) low on the supply tank, that is capped. I am wondering if there should be a hose from the overflow tube on the radiator to this unused fitting on the supply tank. That would make some sense to me. I also thought about making up a recovery tank and connecting it to the overflow fitting on the radiator. That seems like it would work, and I don't think it would cause any harm.
This type of cooling system with the supply tank is new to me, so I am asking for advice. I am sure I will have more questions as time goes on! Thanks in advance!
Your system might have been a little "over full" and when it gets hot it dumps the coolant.
Somewhat normal but not confidence inspiring.....
I agree, I don't see how the recovery tank can hurt anything. I will make up one to try it out. If it works ok, I will buy something that looks nicer. Maybe.
But, as I understand this system. any "excess" coolant should go to the supply tank. That seems to be Ford's way to keep the cooling system full and free of air. I don't know why there is even an overflow tube on the radiator. Just another mystery!
Hey Brother, first off I would say that you do NOT have the OEM radiator in your little truck. I have every shop manual for them from their inception in '57 to the last 8000 model and they ALL used a remote tank to facilitate service thru the "hood" located behind the passengers side seat back. The capped of 1/4 pipe is the balance hose that runs from the top of the radiator to the res'tank. That tank is also the expansion tank as you want to keep it no more than 1'2 full to allow for heat expansion of the coolant. The balance hose allows for the ease of fluid to rise and fall in the system. Yours not having that would push coolant in to the tank but it would have a hard time returning to the system until cooling contracti0on drew it back in. you "burped" a little fluid is all and I doubt you have a real issue. IF the radiator cap neck has the overflow tube sticking out of the side you can connect THAT tube to your capped fitting and you would be good to go. I have attached a couple of pics as to what the OEM setup is like.
AallynnP, You may be correct that I do not have the OEM radiator in my "little" truck. It seems to fit correctly with no obvious modifications, which at first made me think it was the correct radiator. In looking at the service manual again, I am wondering if the original radiator might have been replaced with one from a F series that doesn't use the supply tank. You are probably also correct that I do not have a real problem. This is not a truck that will be driven a lot of miles, I just don't want it puking coolant on the floor, where the cat might get into it. The capped fitting on the supply tank is near the bottom, not near the top like yours. I wonder if that would be an issue, if I plumbed that to the overflow fitting on the radiator. I will probably just try the recovery tank and see what happens.
I will try to post some pics of my radiator and supply tank.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Tom
Last edited by Boundertom; Jul 20, 2022 at 04:19 PM.
Reason: Add photos
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It seems to fit correctly with no obvious modifications, which at first made me think it was the correct radiator. In looking at the service manual again, I am wondering if the original radiator might have been replaced with one from a F series that doesn't use the supply tank. You are probably also correct that I do not have a real problem. This is not a truck that will be driven a lot of miles, I just don't want it puking coolant on the floor, where the cat might get into it. The capped fitting on the supply tank is near the bottom, not near the top like yours. I wonder if that would be an issue, if I plumbed that to the overflow fitting on the radiator. I will probably just try the recovery tank and see what happens.
