Onward with the radiator repair

[Vern]

After finishing my chores on Saturday, I went into the garage and carefully poured two gallons of distilled water in the newly installed radiator. As I was getting ready to pour in the third, water began to leak at the lower return pipe upper hose, lower clamp. No matter how I tightened the clamp, it continued. So, I opened the petcock and drained it all out. Now I guess it's time to remove the lower pipe & hoses, check it all over and try to figure out why. I liberally applied the Vaseline, so at least it should come apart easier this time.
And that is how I celebrated International Model A Day 2015.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Vern,

Even though this may not be your particular problem, sources of water leaks can be very tricky.

Just because one sees a drip from Point A does not mean Point A is not sealed.

For leaking Model A radiators, water pump gaskets, metal water outlet pipes, petcocks, water hoses, etc., etc., try turning all lights "OFF", and in "total" darkness, shine a flashlight on the "traveling" water.

Fortunes are often spent on repairing building roof leaks in wrong locations ...... that is ..... until some old wrinkled, retired, gray haired limping well respected roofer shows up with a flashlight and finds the source of the leak.

Even though water was dripping from my new Model A stainless steel water outlet pipe petcock, it was actually leaking from a very tiny pin hole where the pet cock was welded to water outlet pipe -- soldered same with silver solder.

Hope this helps with anyone's Model A liquid leaks .... works well also for oil leaks.

[Vern]

H.L., thanks for the bit of wisdom. I will do the flashlight search this weekend. After 35 years of investigating leaks in buildings, I have come to the conclusion that water moves in strange and mysterious ways, to paraphrase my grandmother's quote about God. I suspect the clamps just aren't aligned with the bosses on the pipe.

[Ray64]

On my car the neck on the bottom of rad was at one time tightened to much and caused the rad outlet to become crimped or dimpled as you might call it. Straightened it and reclamped it. No more leaks. Take a close look at that especially at the back and underside with a mirror

[CarlG]

Not correct for judging, but these clamps work great. Never had a leaky hose since I started using them.

[Ron/IA]

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CarlG - Please tell me your source for this style clamp. (I hope it isn't: "They are only available in Alaska.")

Tried doing a search, but not find them yet.

Thanks,

[CarlG]

I got those clamps at Jegs. Also have seen them at hardware stores that cater to the marine trade.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Vern our '28 Roadster leaked like that in the same spot. Trying to use the 'correct' clamps the only way we got it to stop was double-clamping it.

The '30 Model A with worm gear hose clamps never leaked a drop. Only problems I ever had was the correct style clamps. CarlG is onto the same idea, may not be 'correct' but anyone not knowing Model A Fords will never even notice it.

Or, you can use Carl's clamps and then put an alternator on your car, that will draw their eyes off of the clamps and focus on the alternator instead

[katy]

https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/hose-clamps