Radiator overflow
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Elder User
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Radiator overflow
I dont have an overflow on my 390 and water drips out of the hose before the motor gets to temp. Ill start it cold and drive it 1/8th mile to the liquor store and water will be dripping. Do you think its just a bad or the wrong radiator cap? Also should I use an overflow?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
People tend to overfill the radiator...as water warms, it expands, so out the overflow hose it will go.
Installing an overflow tank will solve this. There is no original overflow tank, cuz Ford didn't offer a factory installed overflow tank for F Series trucks until 1980...with one exception.
1971/72 F100 240 I-6's came with a factory installed overflow tank. A universal "fitz-all" was available at the parts counter beginning in 1970.
The same one could be bought down the street at myriad autoparts stores. The correct radiator cap is a 13 pounder.
Installing an overflow tank will solve this. There is no original overflow tank, cuz Ford didn't offer a factory installed overflow tank for F Series trucks until 1980...with one exception.
1971/72 F100 240 I-6's came with a factory installed overflow tank. A universal "fitz-all" was available at the parts counter beginning in 1970.
The same one could be bought down the street at myriad autoparts stores. The correct radiator cap is a 13 pounder.
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Elder User
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Well thats the problem, its not getting hot enough to expand lol. I think the cap is junk and not sealing but it looks new. When the radiator gets up to 13psi the cap is supposed to relieve the pressure out the over flow correct? Im going to take a closer look at the cap...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Crawler, I have a suggestion for you, let your truck puke out the unwanted. Check it when cold but don't add as long as you can see the coolant. Once it finds it's needed level I bet it will stop puking.
Or leave it down a couple inches. Do not fill to top. Do not waste your money on an overflow tank.
John
Or leave it down a couple inches. Do not fill to top. Do not waste your money on an overflow tank.
John
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
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From: SoCal
Autozone will loan you a cooling system pressure gauge. Step 1 attach the cap to the gauge. Pump it up. Does the cap hold pressure??
You can also test to see if the cooling system holds pressure.
Using this gauge is VERY VERY simple. Do not be afraid to test with this gauge.
While at Autozone pick up an overflow bottle for about 10 bucks or so.
You can also test to see if the cooling system holds pressure.
Using this gauge is VERY VERY simple. Do not be afraid to test with this gauge.
While at Autozone pick up an overflow bottle for about 10 bucks or so.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
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From: SoCal
As soon as the coolant starts to warm up it expands. If it's full to the top it will puke.
Like John sez, just let it puke til it finds the correct level. Or put an overflow bottle on it.
I like the overflow bottle because it gets the air out of the system. It also makes it very simple to see if theres a leak in the system.
If the level in the bottle drops as the engine cools off there are no leaks anywhere in the
system.
Like John sez, just let it puke til it finds the correct level. Or put an overflow bottle on it.
I like the overflow bottle because it gets the air out of the system. It also makes it very simple to see if theres a leak in the system.
If the level in the bottle drops as the engine cools off there are no leaks anywhere in the
system.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Dallas, Texas
I dont have an overflow on my 390 and water drips out of the hose before the motor gets to temp. Ill start it cold and drive it 1/8th mile to the liquor store and water will be dripping. Do you think its just a bad or the wrong radiator cap? Also should I use an overflow?
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Elder User
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Haha its actually less than 75yds if i jump the back wall and walk there but the way our condos are setup i gota drive around the complex to get to the street. 8th mile is like 220yds and im only 3/4 mile from about 10 bars lol.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Saratoga County, NY
Crawler, I have a suggestion for you, let your truck puke out the unwanted. Check it when cold but don't add as long as you can see the coolant. Once it finds it's needed level I bet it will stop puking.
Or leave it down a couple inches. Do not fill to top. Do not waste your money on an overflow tank.
John
Or leave it down a couple inches. Do not fill to top. Do not waste your money on an overflow tank.
John
When I bought my '64 in June the owner was nice enough to top off all the fluids before I drove it home 3 hrs. It got up to 225-degress at one point and puked some coolant. I checked it afterwards and it's visible, about two inches below the neck. I haven't topped it off since then and it hasn't puked the last couple of times it got up to 225 and runs around 190-degrees in the wind.
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Thanks matt, when I got it home from the 2hr drive it was spitting water so when I changed the exhaust gaskets I checked the water before I started it and it was down to where I could bearly touch it with my finger. So i filled it and havent driven it much since then but im going to test the cap and keep my eye on the temp.
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Thanks matt, when I got it home from the 2hr drive it was spitting water so when I changed the exhaust gaskets I checked the water before I started it and it was down to where I could bearly touch it with my finger. So i filled it and havent driven it much since then but im going to test the cap and keep my eye on the temp.
head gaskets?
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Elder User
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I dont think so, I didnt check it before I left so it could have been low. I dont have any exhaust smell in the radiator or any smoking in the exhaust. Ive done head gaskets before on a few diff motors so im keeping an eye on that to. The p.o said that the heads were re built a couple years ago but I dont trust that, going to have to check the plugs.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Thanks matt, when I got it home from the 2hr drive it was spitting water so when I changed the exhaust gaskets I checked the water before I started it and it was down to where I could bearly touch it with my finger. So i filled it and havent driven it much since then but im going to test the cap and keep my eye on the temp.
The temp gauge may not be reporting correctly.
John
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