Thanks John/one other question
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
Thanks John/one other question
Now that's interesting. Are you sure the engine isn't as hot as the radiator? I suspect a bad temp sending unit, poor electical connections, or a bad gauge.
Also, "hot" means different things to different people. Is it boiling over? Are you using the correct mix of 50/50 antifreeze and water? Too much antifreeeze and not enough water will overheat your engine and radiator.
Finally, is your radiator clogged internally with corrosion and deposits? If you live in an area with hard water, you'll run into this alot.
Also, "hot" means different things to different people. Is it boiling over? Are you using the correct mix of 50/50 antifreeze and water? Too much antifreeeze and not enough water will overheat your engine and radiator.
Finally, is your radiator clogged internally with corrosion and deposits? If you live in an area with hard water, you'll run into this alot.
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New User
Joined: May 2002
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Thanks John/one other question
Well, you can put your hand on the engine and its warm not hot and the radiator seems to be normal to slightly high temp, no boil over but some run off from the overflow tube driping on the ground.Seems if the radiator was plugged the engine would get hot,and if the therm was stuck the whole system would be cold(open) or hot(closed) The temp guage goes from cold to 100 and that's it.I thought it was broken but then I felt the block and it was warm and like I said the radiator was hotter than the engine by quite a bit so....the mystery.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
Thanks John/one other question
Actually, it may not be a mystery. It's more in the fact I think the radiator is doing what it is supposed to do. Now on the dripping, these old radiators are not designed as closed systems.
Leave about 1"-2" of air space in the radiator top. As the water/antifreeze heats up, it expands, and the air space is needed for it to expand into. Yes, the air pressure builds up, but the cap allows the extra to escape if it gets too high.
The cap also allows air to be suctioned back into the radiator once it cools down and the coolant contracts.
If your radiator is too full, you will constantly drip. Of course, a blown head gasket or overheating will make it lose more coolant than is good for it, but that doesn't appear to be the case here.
Leave about 1"-2" of air space in the radiator top. As the water/antifreeze heats up, it expands, and the air space is needed for it to expand into. Yes, the air pressure builds up, but the cap allows the extra to escape if it gets too high.
The cap also allows air to be suctioned back into the radiator once it cools down and the coolant contracts.
If your radiator is too full, you will constantly drip. Of course, a blown head gasket or overheating will make it lose more coolant than is good for it, but that doesn't appear to be the case here.
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Thanks John/one other question
So John, you are saying the radiator is working ok....I agree, and it's not boiling over, so why is the engine not the same temp? Could it be that someone removed the thermostat all together? It is from Tennessee and maybe if they were running her in the summer down there they might have taken out the thermostat??? My guess....
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Coal country
Thanks John/one other question
That's a definite thing to check: Is there a thermostat in it? Contrary to what you all think up there 
it's not THAT hot, not enough to run without a thermostat. Not even here in Georgia. I know folks do it, but when the engine needs to run at 190+, 100 degrees outside ain't nothin. (Pardon my grammar.)
Yep by all means, check to make sure you got one in there, and I bet you won't find one in there, or, a very cool one, like 165.
it's not THAT hot, not enough to run without a thermostat. Not even here in Georgia. I know folks do it, but when the engine needs to run at 190+, 100 degrees outside ain't nothin. (Pardon my grammar.)Yep by all means, check to make sure you got one in there, and I bet you won't find one in there, or, a very cool one, like 165.
