The Ford Barn

bobgreco · 07-11-2011, 07:36 PM

Does anyone know what level I am supposed to fill the antifreeze to? I drove around a while today and it starting coming out the overflow. Granted it was a bit warm here. When it finally stopped and cooled down it is just below the baffle in the inlet. Maybe that is where it is supposed to be?

Many thanks!

Bob

newshirt · 07-11-2011, 07:43 PM

Mine is exactly 4" down from the top. It has stayed there for hundreds of miles.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-11-2011, 10:58 PM

As long as it stays above the tops of the tubes you are good to go. Adding a thermostat stopped my original 1928 radiator from loosing 2 to 3 quarts on a 50 mile drive.

Mike V. Florida · 07-11-2011, 11:47 PM

With a baffle it is hard to tell how hight the water is in the radiator. If you are adding the same amount of water each time, then that is where your system is happy.

Kurt in NJ · 07-12-2011, 12:33 AM

With mine if I can see any coolant above the baffle it is too full ---and since I can't see the level I don't bother with looking, if someone leaves a partial bottle of water in the car I dump it in the radiator whenever I clean out the car --it works out to about a quart a year.

I don't worry too much, I have taken many rides of 100 miles without opening the hood, the reliability of a stock "A" is such that I don't worry about making it home---between what is under the seat and alongside the road I will make it home.

Randy in Illinois · 07-12-2011, 08:58 AM

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Mine is like Kurt in NJ, It finds it's own level, just below the baffle when cold.

josh1331 · 07-12-2011, 01:39 PM

I can see the overflow tube but I see no baffle? I can see to bottom of top tank , thats where it stays with a little water? what does baffle look like it is a new radiator, expensive, temp goes from 140 to 165 on 90 degree day. Am I in range is the coolant at height just above bot of tank ok? Josh

bobgreco · 07-12-2011, 04:34 PM

I think my level is about where it should be based upon all of your comments. Thanks!

Bob

msmaron · 07-12-2011, 04:40 PM

as a rule of thumb, if you can see that water just above the baffle your good. THEN AGAIN< the radiator will SEAK it's own level always. So if you keep filling and it keeps coming out, leave it alone for a while and see how she runs, probably fine. We have a lot of cars that are running a quart to more down and never ever overheat

jerry shook · 07-12-2011, 05:27 PM

I have 3 a,s 2 with old radiators 1 with a new alunium if you put water in to were you can see it it will push it out the overflow . In mine if you can see water it is to full.

Louis · 07-21-2011, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

As long as it stays above the tops of the tubes you are good to go. Adding a thermostat stopped my original 1928 radiator from loosing 2 to 3 quarts on a 50 mile drive.

Tom,
Are you saying a thermostat will make your car run cooler then then without one ? seems like a thermostat would restrict the flow more then without one.

CarlG · 07-21-2011, 12:02 PM

With a thermostat restricting the flow, the water stays in the radiator longer, therefore cooling it better. Without some restriction, and with an efficient water pump, the water doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to get cool.

Tom Wesenberg · 07-21-2011, 08:22 PM

I don't know if adding the thermostat lowered the coolant temperature, but it kept the coolant in the radiator, instead of going out the overflow pipe. When I cleaned the radiator with liquid floor soap, then a final cleaning with washing soda, that lowered the coolant temp by about 20*. My original radiator had years of grease scum buildup from greasing the water pump rear bushing.

07-11-2011, 07:36 PM	#1
bobgreco Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 222	Antifreeze level Does anyone know what level I am supposed to fill the antifreeze to? I drove around a while today and it starting coming out the overflow. Granted it was a bit warm here. When it finally stopped and cooled down it is just below the baffle in the inlet. Maybe that is where it is supposed to be? Many thanks! Bob

07-11-2011, 07:43 PM	#2
newshirt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 868	Re: Antifreeze level Mine is exactly 4" down from the top. It has stayed there for hundreds of miles. __________________ Ray White

07-11-2011, 10:58 PM	#3
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Antifreeze level As long as it stays above the tops of the tubes you are good to go. Adding a thermostat stopped my original 1928 radiator from loosing 2 to 3 quarts on a 50 mile drive.

07-11-2011, 11:47 PM	#4
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Antifreeze level With a baffle it is hard to tell how hight the water is in the radiator. If you are adding the same amount of water each time, then that is where your system is happy. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-12-2011, 12:33 AM	#5
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,555	Re: Antifreeze level With mine if I can see any coolant above the baffle it is too full ---and since I can't see the level I don't bother with looking, if someone leaves a partial bottle of water in the car I dump it in the radiator whenever I clean out the car --it works out to about a quart a year. I don't worry too much, I have taken many rides of 100 miles without opening the hood, the reliability of a stock "A" is such that I don't worry about making it home---between what is under the seat and alongside the road I will make it home.

07-12-2011, 08:58 AM	#6
Randy in Illinois Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 193	Re: Antifreeze level Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Mine is like Kurt in NJ, It finds it's own level, just below the baffle when cold.

07-12-2011, 01:39 PM	#7
josh1331 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlestown,R.I. Posts: 465	Re: Antifreeze level I can see the overflow tube but I see no baffle? I can see to bottom of top tank , thats where it stays with a little water? what does baffle look like it is a new radiator, expensive, temp goes from 140 to 165 on 90 degree day. Am I in range is the coolant at height just above bot of tank ok? Josh

07-12-2011, 04:34 PM	#8
bobgreco Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 222	Re: Antifreeze level I think my level is about where it should be based upon all of your comments. Thanks! Bob

07-12-2011, 04:40 PM	#9
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,604	Re: Antifreeze level as a rule of thumb, if you can see that water just above the baffle your good. THEN AGAIN< the radiator will SEAK it's own level always. So if you keep filling and it keeps coming out, leave it alone for a while and see how she runs, probably fine. We have a lot of cars that are running a quart to more down and never ever overheat __________________ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

07-12-2011, 05:27 PM	#10
jerry shook Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 516	Re: Antifreeze level I have 3 a,s 2 with old radiators 1 with a new alunium if you put water in to were you can see it it will push it out the overflow . In mine if you can see water it is to full.

07-21-2011, 12:02 PM	#12
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,192	Re: Antifreeze level With a thermostat restricting the flow, the water stays in the radiator longer, therefore cooling it better. Without some restriction, and with an efficient water pump, the water doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to get cool.

07-21-2011, 08:22 PM	#13
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Antifreeze level I don't know if adding the thermostat lowered the coolant temperature, but it kept the coolant in the radiator, instead of going out the overflow pipe. When I cleaned the radiator with liquid floor soap, then a final cleaning with washing soda, that lowered the coolant temp by about 20*. My original radiator had years of grease scum buildup from greasing the water pump rear bushing.