The Ford Barn - Radiator baffle

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03-30-2022 03:07 PM

Radiator baffle

What is the purpose of the radiator baffle ?

31Tudor

03-30-2022 03:30 PM

Re: Radiator baffle

I believe it's purpose is to act as sort of a dam, to slow/ redirect the water shooting up from the water pump, then sending it down through the tubes.

nkaminar

03-31-2022 05:53 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

As Tudor said it is to direct the coolant down and not towards the cap.

Bob Bidonde

03-31-2022 09:03 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

It deflects the coolant output of the water pump.

veggie

03-31-2022 09:19 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

Whm
I think it's there to baffle you.

Rob Doe

03-31-2022 05:26 PM

Re: Radiator baffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggie (Post 2117682)

Whm
I think it's there to baffle you.

x2 on that veggie. My radiator aint got one. If I drive 40 or less, I don't lose any fluid. Recently, a couple times I've cut Little Bug Eye loose and let that 6.0 head and all that surplus torque do its job. Had ta add some H2O.

eagle

03-31-2022 07:58 PM

Re: Radiator baffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Doe (Post 2117801)

Do Bill William's trick, put a roofing nail in the overflow tube. It also might be worth the time to bend the tube upright, if its not long enough add to it with a push on tight rubber hose. Also make sure the radiator cap is sealed, coolant should never leak out of the radiator cap, even if it's overheating.

ETAModel

03-31-2022 09:16 PM

Re: Radiator baffle

Without a thermostat to slow the flow, its surprising how much water runs thru the pump every minute.

aermotor

04-01-2022 07:06 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

My baffle won't allow me to see the coolant level - how come?

nkaminar

04-01-2022 07:28 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

There should be an opening in the baffle to allow you to see the coolant level. If not, and you are concerned that it may be low, fill to just above the baffle and then allow the excess coolant to exit via the overflow pipe. Monitor the temperature with a thermometer in the exit neck or an IR thermometer when you stop.

I tried to collect the overflow and then allow it to be sucked back into the radiator but it did not work with an atmospheric pressure radiator. The only time I have to add coolant is when I have drained it to work on the engine.

eagle

04-02-2022 08:47 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

[/I]I tried to collect the overflow and then allow it to be sucked back into the radiator but it did not work with an atmospheric pressure radiator.[I]

If the radiator cap is sealed it will work. Doesnt make any difference if its pressurized or not.

nkaminar

04-02-2022 11:54 AM

Re: Radiator baffle

Eagle, You are correct that it SHOULD work. For some reason, even with a sealed cap, mine did not. It could be that the tubing connection the overflow pipe to the tank got jammed up with crap. In any case, I don't seem to need the overflow tank.

Y-Blockhead

04-02-2022 01:10 PM

Re: Radiator baffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar (Post 2117937)

I warm my engine, then check the level. This should be your "running" level and not puke excess out the overflow.

eagle

04-02-2022 07:50 PM

Re: Radiator baffle

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar (Post 2118304)

Check the overflow ube where it is soldered into the neck or upper tank. Sometimes the solder is brittle there and then cracks. A very small crack will release the vacuum in the upper tank as it cools. No vacuum, no returning coolant.

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