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Bill G 08-06-2019 02:59 PM

Radiator fill question
 

I recently purchased a very nice Brassworks radiator. My old radiator had no baffle in the filler neck, so I could plainly see where I wanted to fill the level with coolant. I would fill it to just a little over the tops of the tubes because if I filled it more than that, it would all blow out anyway. THat old radiator was falling apart and took many fills to keep it in water.



This is a '29 for what its worth.


The new radiator has a baffle that absolutely hides the top tank from being able to see how much is there. I am pretty sure I am OK. The car runs nice and cool, and nothing is getting spewed out. There is under three gallons and over 2-1/2 gallons in it. The key point is that it does run cool and I know that because I am running a temp gauge.


My question is how the devil do I check to see what my water level is, other than just wait for it to overheat if I am on a long trip? Any techniques for magically seeing down beyond the baffle? I am baffled.


-Baffled in Walla Walla

Gary WA 08-06-2019 03:42 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

1 Attachment(s)
3 Gallons of distilled water let it seek its own level should be great with new radiator, I use rust inhibitor with my distilled water. should be just below the baffle. Not to worry.

JOHN CT 08-06-2019 04:46 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

I use a flashlight and look into the neck and look left and right I can see the level

katy 08-07-2019 11:30 AM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

I took a long punch and pried one side of the baffle down a bit to be able to see the level off to the side.

tiger.1000 08-07-2019 12:03 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

2 Attachment(s)
I am not familiar with the Model A engine but here's how I overcame that issue on my 32 Model B. Sight glass enables me to establish that there is coolant above the water pump. I feel sure that the top water outlet casting on your cylinder head could be modified to provide a similar solution.


Let me know if you need further details and I will do my best to help

Bill G 08-07-2019 12:14 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy (Post 1785240)
I took a long punch and pried one side of the baffle down a bit to be able to see the level off to the side.


That might be my only solution. The baffle is really all around and does not allow for any sighting past it. The hole through the baffle for the overflow tube is pretty much the same diameter as the OD of the tube itself, so there is no peeking there either.

Bill G 08-07-2019 12:16 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger.1000 (Post 1785250)
I am not familiar with the Model A engine but here's how I overcame that issue on my 32 Model B. Sight glass enables me to establish that there is coolant above the water pump. I feel sure that the top water outlet casting on your cylinder head could be modified to provide a similar solution.


Let me know if you need further details and I will do my best to help


Thanks for the reply and that is indeed a great looking method. However, I was looking for a more simple approach. :D

tiger.1000 08-07-2019 12:24 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Magic.


There's nothing to it. A simple solution....mind over matter

30 Closed Cab PU 08-07-2019 12:54 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Somewhere I have seen where a flexible clear tube/hose is added and run up along the side of the radiater. Same principle of a gas float gauge plugged into the bottom of the carb bowl. Sorry, can not remember where it was tapped in - Lower radiater neck, radiator petcock, lower coolant pipe? I believe it was plugged at the top to prevent any coolant loss, and plug removed to read the level.

Forddan 08-07-2019 01:01 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

My radiator level is " just enough over the baffle". Just a tini amount. Then I know the level is OK.

I am new to the car, but I did 700 miles so far this year with the level at that point and all is going well with temp.

California Travieso 08-07-2019 01:02 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger.1000 (Post 1785262)
Magic.


There's nothing to it. A simple solution....mind over matter

Tiger,

Is there any reason for the circular bends in the copper tube? Looks a lot like a tube for distilling water or whiskey.

David Serrano

tiger.1000 08-07-2019 01:06 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

No whiskey just water and antifreeze.....the engine moves in the chassis whereas the radiator does not. The coils are to allow the tube to accept sideways reactions without stressing and breaking....the top of the tube exhausts in to the top radiator tank

tiger.1000 08-07-2019 01:09 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Closed cab...a flexible transparent tube with have the same effect. Just essential that the top end is open otherwise the level will rise and fall with engine revs

CarlG 08-07-2019 02:15 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Problem Solved!

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...earchByKeyword

old Tom 08-07-2019 08:01 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Snyders to the rescue

1crosscut 08-07-2019 10:11 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Fill it up to just over the baffle and run it for a while. It just might be happy at the level and stay there without pushing any out the overflow tube.
Worth a try.

studebakerhawk 08-08-2019 07:33 AM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

I put a short piece (8 inches) of leftover brake line down into my overflow tube with the shorter of the two nuts still on the flare. put the slightest of bends in the line to give it a little resistance going into the overflow. slide it in with the flare and nut up of course - push it all the way down until the nut and flare are on the top of the tube. raises the height of the overflow tube just enough so that the coolant remains above the baffle.

mfarley 08-08-2019 09:50 AM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

$49.95 for that which I can buy at Ace hardware for $15?

Redbird 08-08-2019 09:50 AM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

Open the cap, look in, and rock the car a little. You should then see a little water!

Beater 08-08-2019 10:55 PM

Re: Radiator fill question
 

why don't you just fill it to the top and let it find its own level so much rocket surgery here


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