The Ford Barn

[email protected] · 03-30-2022, 03:07 PM

What is the purpose of the radiator baffle ?

31Tudor · 03-30-2022, 03:30 PM

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

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

Bob Bidonde · 03-31-2022, 09:03 AM

It deflects the coolant output of the water pump.

veggie · 03-31-2022, 09:19 AM

Whm
I think it's there to baffle you.

Rob Doe · 03-31-2022, 05:26 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by veggie

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Doe

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.

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

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

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

nkaminar · 04-01-2022, 07:28 AM

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

[/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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

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.

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.

03-30-2022, 03:07 PM	#1
[email protected] Junior Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: ILLINOIS Posts: 14	Radiator baffle What is the purpose of the radiator baffle ?

03-30-2022, 03:30 PM	#2
31Tudor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 611	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.

03-31-2022, 05:53 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,847	Re: Radiator baffle As Tudor said it is to direct the coolant down and not towards the cap. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-31-2022, 09:03 AM	#4
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,382	Re: Radiator baffle It deflects the coolant output of the water pump. __________________ Bob Bidonde

03-31-2022, 09:19 AM	#5
veggie Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Clinton Ct. Posts: 84	Re: Radiator baffle Whm I think it's there to baffle you.

03-31-2022, 09:16 PM	#8
ETAModel Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Along the Red River, Texas Posts: 360	Re: Radiator baffle Without a thermostat to slow the flow, its surprising how much water runs thru the pump every minute.

04-01-2022, 07:06 AM	#9
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Radiator baffle My baffle won't allow me to see the coolant level - how come?

04-01-2022, 07:28 AM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,847	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. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

04-02-2022, 08:47 AM	#11
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,085	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. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

04-02-2022, 11:54 AM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,847	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. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.