53 flathead overheat
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
53 flathead overheat
my truck overheated on the way to work today. it's been in the 90's all week, but this am it was in the upper 70's outside.
I noticed the guage creep past 3/4, then to full hot when i pulled over.
I opened the hood, no steam from the radiator, just a little smoke from the oil cap breather.
I was luckily by a gas station and bought a gallon of radiator fluid while waiting for it to cool down a bit.
When it did, sure enough, it took the full gallon of fluid. Then it ran fine the remaining 15 minutes to work.
Where did the fluid go?
I checked the fluid the last time I filled up with gas, that was only 3/4's of a tank ago.
Is it boiling over as I drive and leeking out of the overflow onto the road?
I noticed the guage creep past 3/4, then to full hot when i pulled over.
I opened the hood, no steam from the radiator, just a little smoke from the oil cap breather.
I was luckily by a gas station and bought a gallon of radiator fluid while waiting for it to cool down a bit.
When it did, sure enough, it took the full gallon of fluid. Then it ran fine the remaining 15 minutes to work.
Where did the fluid go?
I checked the fluid the last time I filled up with gas, that was only 3/4's of a tank ago.
Is it boiling over as I drive and leeking out of the overflow onto the road?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Kalispell, MT
quote: "I noticed the guage creep past 3/4, then to full hot when i pulled over."
Did it go to hot while running or when you shut it off? Does your gauge naturally go to HOT when shut off like the earlier ones?
Could be a head gasket problem, could be a block crack, could be a sticking thermostat, but most likely just the normal fluxuations during summer temps. My 48 runs a little warmer during hot summer months too. Look under the truck around the overflow tube. If you're venting coolant you'll see the splatters around the end of the tube. With only a 7# radiator cap they dump coolant pretty easily. Don't be tempted to use a higher pressure cap - you'll blow the seams out of the tanks.
Watch it for a while and note what it does. It's hard to tell what's normal for your truck - each one is different.
Did it go to hot while running or when you shut it off? Does your gauge naturally go to HOT when shut off like the earlier ones?
Could be a head gasket problem, could be a block crack, could be a sticking thermostat, but most likely just the normal fluxuations during summer temps. My 48 runs a little warmer during hot summer months too. Look under the truck around the overflow tube. If you're venting coolant you'll see the splatters around the end of the tube. With only a 7# radiator cap they dump coolant pretty easily. Don't be tempted to use a higher pressure cap - you'll blow the seams out of the tanks.
Watch it for a while and note what it does. It's hard to tell what's normal for your truck - each one is different.
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
Also, I sleed the anti-freeze at the fill cap, and did not smell gas, so I think thats a good sign that there is no crack in the block. I remember reading a post that said if ou smell gas in the fluid you have a cracked block.
I do sometimes smell a hint of radiator fluid in the cab however, but I don't see any fluid on the engine block.
I do sometimes smell a hint of radiator fluid in the cab however, but I don't see any fluid on the engine block.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,779
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From: Kalispell, MT
sleed?
Depends where the crack is. I have a cracked flathead that sucks down a lot of coolant, but coolant doesn't smell like gas.
Smelling coolant in the cab: could be a heater core leak, or could be just the coolant blowing from the radiator vent tube and wafting thru the holes in the firewall. Check your floorboard for drips from the heater core.
Depends where the crack is. I have a cracked flathead that sucks down a lot of coolant, but coolant doesn't smell like gas.
Smelling coolant in the cab: could be a heater core leak, or could be just the coolant blowing from the radiator vent tube and wafting thru the holes in the firewall. Check your floorboard for drips from the heater core.
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
thanks for the info mtflat.
It ran to the full "Hot" while running. Thats why I pulled over immediately.
When shut off, my temp gauge always runs to "hot" like you mentioned no matter what the temp is.
My radiator cap is original (so 7# like you mentioned??)
I checked the overflow and there is splatter, so your thinking its normal to dump fluid??
So I should check this regularly when its hot outside?
I think just a ways past half on the temp gauge is normal. So in this weather when its gets to 3/4, I better watch the fluid constantly
THis is a good excuse to install an electric fan I think
It ran to the full "Hot" while running. Thats why I pulled over immediately.
When shut off, my temp gauge always runs to "hot" like you mentioned no matter what the temp is.
My radiator cap is original (so 7# like you mentioned??)
I checked the overflow and there is splatter, so your thinking its normal to dump fluid??
So I should check this regularly when its hot outside?
I think just a ways past half on the temp gauge is normal. So in this weather when its gets to 3/4, I better watch the fluid constantly
THis is a good excuse to install an electric fan I think
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
I'm not sure where "sleed" came from-was supposed to be smell!
I smell a hint of coolant in the cab even right after startup sometimes, no drips under the heater core in the cab.
A cracked block possibilty has me worried
I smell a hint of coolant in the cab even right after startup sometimes, no drips under the heater core in the cab.
A cracked block possibilty has me worried
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,779
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From: Kalispell, MT
Sounds more like it's just dumping some fluid - block won't crack unless it gets super hot from overheating.
Has your system been flushed and thoroughly cleaned lately? Best way to avoid overheating is to have a clean engine and rad.
Other strong possibility is a failed or failing thermostat. That'll cause intermittant overheating on one side.
Has your system been flushed and thoroughly cleaned lately? Best way to avoid overheating is to have a clean engine and rad.
Other strong possibility is a failed or failing thermostat. That'll cause intermittant overheating on one side.
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
i put all new hoses on last fall, the system had all new fluid put in then
Had a bubble in the system after doing that, it ran really hot the first time I drove it after replacing hoses. I only went 1/4 mile at 25mph, but it was steaming hot. adding another 6 quarts and it ran fine
Hope it didn't crack back then.
I replaced both thermostats this spring.
You think I should take it in to be flushed? I have not done that in the 13 years I've had the truck.
What do you recommend for getting the "clean" engine
thanks Mtflat
Todd
Had a bubble in the system after doing that, it ran really hot the first time I drove it after replacing hoses. I only went 1/4 mile at 25mph, but it was steaming hot. adding another 6 quarts and it ran fine
Hope it didn't crack back then.
I replaced both thermostats this spring.
You think I should take it in to be flushed? I have not done that in the 13 years I've had the truck.
What do you recommend for getting the "clean" engine
thanks Mtflat
Todd
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From: NM
'52 and earlier used 4# caps. Not sure what a '53 would be, because it's a function of radiator design more than anything. But a 7# cap might be pushing water past the water pump bearing seals. I would think it would be obvious tho.
If you were using that much coolant and it was due to a block crack, I would really expect it to affect engine performance noticeably -- missing, stumble, hard to start, etc.
Try a pressure test, but keep it down to 7#.
If you were using that much coolant and it was due to a block crack, I would really expect it to affect engine performance noticeably -- missing, stumble, hard to start, etc.
Try a pressure test, but keep it down to 7#.
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From: NM
It sounds like you are either losing a lot of water, or it wasn't filled all the way until recently. Any leak that you lose a gallon of water in a week would be really obvious. You can't "burn" that much and have a decent running engine. 8BA's can trap a lot of air, is it possible you've just not had it really full after your thermostat replacement?
The other way to lose water and not see it on the floor is if the radiator cap is lifting and blowing it on the ground while you drive, like MT noted. That could be either from a bad cap or cap gasket, or because of trapped air raising the temp's. Are you going to a catch-can with the overflow? Might be worth running it into an old milk jug to see if you collect anything significant.
The other way to lose water and not see it on the floor is if the radiator cap is lifting and blowing it on the ground while you drive, like MT noted. That could be either from a bad cap or cap gasket, or because of trapped air raising the temp's. Are you going to a catch-can with the overflow? Might be worth running it into an old milk jug to see if you collect anything significant.
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From: Appleton, Wisconsin
Thanks for the advice Albuq
I'll try a catch can first
On the way home tonight, the temp on the gauge was fine. but when I parked in the garage, the overflow hose dripped some coolant on the floor.
Maybe I'll replace the cap and cap gasket right away also.
Todd
I'll try a catch can first
On the way home tonight, the temp on the gauge was fine. but when I parked in the garage, the overflow hose dripped some coolant on the floor.
Maybe I'll replace the cap and cap gasket right away also.
Todd
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From: Augusta, ME
My flathead always puked some antifreeze out the overflow, I'd fill it full but it would spit out until antifreeze was about 1 1/2 inches below the cap, and that's where it wanted it to stay apparantly. You can put on an overflow tank to catch what comes out, and if you have the right kind of cap it should pull some back in as the engine cools as it's turned off. If anything the catch can will keep from having a puddle of toxic antifreeze that your or your neighbor's dog or cat finds tasty.
Scott
Scott
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