The Ford Barn

Walt Ebie · 05-31-2018, 01:16 PM

My '30 A ran fine last year with a new heavy duty radiator - gauge stayed in the middle green. Starting up this summer it wants to run right at or a tad over the red line. How come? I didn't think I needed to do a flush and refill every spring and may try that if necessary. Got any ideas that might cause the higher temp other than that?

Jerry in Shasta · 05-31-2018, 01:30 PM

Fan belt?

Big hammer · 05-31-2018, 02:12 PM

I was just reading about running hot after the cooling system has been overhauled. It article stated to lean or to rich of fuel mixture will cause your engine to run hot. Also it stated that a retarted or to advanced timing will also cause it to run hot. This article was on a hot rod site.

Purdy Swoft · 05-31-2018, 03:18 PM

Running too little points gap will make it run hot . Check your points gap . Too little points gap retards . Ford specs were .018 to .022 . Eighteen thousants is right on the edge of having to re set . I generally run mine on .022 but not a thousant more .

johnbuckley · 05-31-2018, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Running too little points gap will make it run hot . ... .

Not querying your view Purdy, but why would a too small points gap cause it to run hot. (assuming the hand timing lever is used correctly) ... I can belief that a closed points gap might cause the coil to get marginally warmer as the points would be in contact longer but why would it affect the engine running temp?

Purdy Swoft · 05-31-2018, 04:18 PM

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When the points open is when you get the spark . That is why smaller gap at the points retards and more gap advances. Thats not to say that a gap of .017 is going to make it boil over .I've seen them run with less than a .010 gap but they didn't have the same power , didn't run as well in general and ran hotter, especially if the spark lever was being run too far up the quadrant .Have you even checked the points gap . there are several things that can cause the model A to run warmer. You asked for help , I tried to give it . . .

katy · 06-01-2018, 08:49 AM

Coolant level?

SeaSlugs · 06-01-2018, 09:25 AM

all good point so far,

are you running coolant or water?

Could of had rust flakes break free and clog the radiator.

WHN · 06-01-2018, 09:48 AM

Check your gauge. You never know.

With Model A’s, it sometime can be the simplest of things. Enjoy.

johnbuckley · 06-02-2018, 03:29 PM

That's the problem with temp gauges and oil pressure gauges- just another thing to worry about

Ernie Vitucci · 06-02-2018, 06:18 PM

failing Coils and Condensers can cause over heating. A partially clogged tail pipe can also cause engines to run above normal. A good flush can't hurt. Ernie

katy · 06-03-2018, 08:10 AM

Quote:

A partially clogged tail pipe can also cause engines to run above normal. A good flush can't hurt.

Never heard of flushing a tail pipe before, learn something new every day.

100IH · 06-03-2018, 02:01 PM

Every morning after the first cup of coffee.

rocket1 · 06-03-2018, 02:48 PM

check the actual coolant temp. with thermometer to determine if it is overheating,160 deg.is normal and efficient.

woofa.express · 06-03-2018, 04:51 PM

The fix is easy. Simply remove the glass from the gauge and bend the needle a little.
That allows the driver run cooler too.

GerryAllen · 06-03-2018, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocket1

check the actual coolant temp. with thermometer to determine if it is overheating,160 deg.is normal and efficient.

I have a 160 degree thermostat, upon parking the car after a run, I use my wife's meat thermometer to check the water temperature. I am very surprised to see a consistent temperature of 170 degrees. I flushed the rad, use straight water along with water wetter.
Have you tried an external way of checking the temperature other than relying on a gauge.
Gerry Allen, Birch Bay WA

WHN · 06-03-2018, 06:47 PM

You may get a higher temperature at the top of radiator.

Siphon effect on engine coolant starts at around 180 degrees at top water outlet under water pump.

Inlet at bottom of engine should be around 160 degrees. This is all plus or minus depending on a number of things. Condition of radiator, coolant passages in engine, water pump, fan, outside temperature, water or antifreeze, whatever.

Depending on the condition of your engine you could have hot spots. If these spots get to hot, coolant will boil inside engine block. Steam instead of coolant in water passages will cause a lack of cooling. Oil flash on cylinder walls and possible engine failure could follow.

The Model A’s engine is designed to run in the 160 to 170 degree range.

You need the siphon effect, moves more water than the pump. Remember the Model T, no water pump, just siphon.

Your complete cooling system must be 100% or you will have problems.

DHZIEMAN · 06-09-2018, 11:25 AM

I read some funny stuff here but......I would take the suggestions of making sure the water pump is spinning and then take off the radiator cap and check actual water temp!

WHN · 06-09-2018, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHZIEMAN

I read some funny stuff here but......I would take the suggestions of making sure the water pump is spinning and then take off the radiator cap and check actual water temp!

Remember, the water pump is really only helping at higher RPM’s. The syphon effect does the majority of cooling.

Read a post I made last week on this forum. It’s a cooling system presentation done for The Rocky Mountain Model A Club. It could really answer a lot of your questions.

Under, Good info on cooling system.

Sorry, I just saw that you read it. Enjoy. Best regards, Bill

DHZIEMAN · 06-09-2018, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN

Remember, the water pump is really only helping at higher RPM’s. The syphon effect does the majority of cooling.

Read a post I made last week on this forum. It’s a cooling system presentation done for The Rocky Mountain Model A Club. It could really answer a lot of your questions.

Under, Good info on cooling system.

Sorry, I just saw that you read it. Enjoy. Best regards, Bill

There is so much stuff to read and at my age of 77, repeating things is a good thing!

WHN · 06-09-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHZIEMAN

There is so much stuff to read and at my age of 77, repeating things is a good thing!

I’m not far behind you.

We are just kids.

I have an Aunt and Uncle that are in the nineties, and my wife’s stepfather just had his 90th birthday.

I hope to see our 29 Model A’s hundredth birthday, June 18, 2029.

Tell us how things turn out. Enjoy. Bill

eagle · 06-10-2018, 08:15 AM

This youtube video will also help you: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug01EW7UZGM

chap52 · 06-10-2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie Vitucci

failing Coils and Condensers can cause over heating. A partially clogged tail pipe can also cause engines to run above normal. A good flush can't hurt. Ernie

When we were teenage auto experts we use to drive the car awhile to get the muffler hot and spay the hose up the pipe to destroy the muffler stuffings, rev the engine a few times leaving a lot of black junk on our parents driveway in an effort to make the car sound cool.

Can't remember if it worked or not, but I do remember what my dad had to say about the mess we made of his driveway.

Have a Blessed Day, Chap

05-31-2018, 01:16 PM	#1
Walt Ebie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: East Canton, OH Posts: 168	Hotter Than Normal My '30 A ran fine last year with a new heavy duty radiator - gauge stayed in the middle green. Starting up this summer it wants to run right at or a tad over the red line. How come? I didn't think I needed to do a flush and refill every spring and may try that if necessary. Got any ideas that might cause the higher temp other than that?

05-31-2018, 01:30 PM	#2
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 385	Re: Hotter Than Normal Fan belt?

05-31-2018, 02:12 PM	#3
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Hotter Than Normal I was just reading about running hot after the cooling system has been overhauled. It article stated to lean or to rich of fuel mixture will cause your engine to run hot. Also it stated that a retarted or to advanced timing will also cause it to run hot. This article was on a hot rod site. __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

05-31-2018, 03:18 PM	#4
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Hotter Than Normal Running too little points gap will make it run hot . Check your points gap . Too little points gap retards . Ford specs were .018 to .022 . Eighteen thousants is right on the edge of having to re set . I generally run mine on .022 but not a thousant more .

05-31-2018, 04:18 PM	#6
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Hotter Than Normal Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When the points open is when you get the spark . That is why smaller gap at the points retards and more gap advances. Thats not to say that a gap of .017 is going to make it boil over .I've seen them run with less than a .010 gap but they didn't have the same power , didn't run as well in general and ran hotter, especially if the spark lever was being run too far up the quadrant .Have you even checked the points gap . there are several things that can cause the model A to run warmer. You asked for help , I tried to give it . . .

06-01-2018, 08:49 AM	#7
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Hotter Than Normal Coolant level? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

06-01-2018, 09:25 AM	#8
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Hotter Than Normal all good point so far, are you running coolant or water? Could of had rust flakes break free and clog the radiator. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

06-01-2018, 09:48 AM	#9
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: Hotter Than Normal Check your gauge. You never know. With Model A’s, it sometime can be the simplest of things. Enjoy.

06-02-2018, 03:29 PM	#10
johnbuckley Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,443	Re: Hotter Than Normal That's the problem with temp gauges and oil pressure gauges- just another thing to worry about

06-02-2018, 06:18 PM	#11
Ernie Vitucci Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 612	Re: Hotter Than Normal failing Coils and Condensers can cause over heating. A partially clogged tail pipe can also cause engines to run above normal. A good flush can't hurt. Ernie

06-03-2018, 02:01 PM	#13
100IH Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 970	Re: Hotter Than Normal Every morning after the first cup of coffee.

06-03-2018, 02:48 PM	#14
rocket1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midland Park,N.J. Posts: 1,108	Re: Hotter Than Normal check the actual coolant temp. with thermometer to determine if it is overheating,160 deg.is normal and efficient.

06-03-2018, 04:51 PM	#15
woofa.express Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Tocumwal, NSW, Australia Posts: 1,748	Re: Hotter Than Normal The fix is easy. Simply remove the glass from the gauge and bend the needle a little. That allows the driver run cooler too.

06-03-2018, 06:47 PM	#17
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,824	Re: Hotter Than Normal You may get a higher temperature at the top of radiator. Siphon effect on engine coolant starts at around 180 degrees at top water outlet under water pump. Inlet at bottom of engine should be around 160 degrees. This is all plus or minus depending on a number of things. Condition of radiator, coolant passages in engine, water pump, fan, outside temperature, water or antifreeze, whatever. Depending on the condition of your engine you could have hot spots. If these spots get to hot, coolant will boil inside engine block. Steam instead of coolant in water passages will cause a lack of cooling. Oil flash on cylinder walls and possible engine failure could follow. The Model A’s engine is designed to run in the 160 to 170 degree range. You need the siphon effect, moves more water than the pump. Remember the Model T, no water pump, just siphon. Your complete cooling system must be 100% or you will have problems.

06-09-2018, 11:25 AM	#18
DHZIEMAN Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Sunrise Beach, Mo Posts: 439	Re: Hotter Than Normal I read some funny stuff here but......I would take the suggestions of making sure the water pump is spinning and then take off the radiator cap and check actual water temp!

06-10-2018, 08:15 AM	#22
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Hotter Than Normal This youtube video will also help you: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug01EW7UZGM __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."