The Ford Barn

36tudordeluxe · 02-23-2017, 12:36 AM

Owners manual says a '36 should hold 5.5 gals. of coolant; I have an 8BA in my '36 and could only get about 4.5 gals. in. When I drained the system car was parked on an incline facing down, both petcocks on bottom of radiator open.

JSeery · 02-23-2017, 01:21 AM

Stock radiator?

36tudordeluxe · 02-23-2017, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

Stock radiator?

Yes

JSeery · 02-23-2017, 09:39 AM

I've never measured the water capacity on any early Fords, so I'm no help!

I wouldn't think there is any difference in the water capacity between a early and late engine and if any at least not a gallon!

19Fordy · 02-23-2017, 09:50 AM

Could it be that you have a 4 cylinder radiator in your 36?

40cpe · 02-23-2017, 10:08 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My 8BA in a '38, stock 4-row radiator, took 5.5 gallons.

drolston · 02-23-2017, 10:46 AM

Did you drive it to flush out any air pockets, particularly the back of the heads and block, if you were on a nose down incline? Also you may have built up some crud in the block and the bottom of the radiator.

J Witt · 02-23-2017, 11:47 AM

Mine took 5 gallons, plus a little, with stock, clean radiator and clean 59A engine, car sitting level. If you have thermostats that don't have a little relief hole, that may cause a fill difference.

If you run the engine, can you see water circulating ( warmed up, t-stats open)?

John

36tudordeluxe · 02-23-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Could it be that you have a 4 cylinder radiator in your 36?

Looks like the radiator as described in the '35-'36 Book as put out by the EFV8COA. Did they offer a 4 cylinder in '36?

36tudordeluxe · 02-23-2017, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drolston

Did you drive it to flush out any air pockets, particularly the back of the heads and block, if you were on a nose down incline? Also you may have built up some crud in the block and the bottom of the radiator.

Yes, I did drive it and after having done so the water level didn't change.
BTW, never had an overheating problem with engine; just curious as to where the missing gallon went.

V8COOPMAN · 02-23-2017, 02:42 PM

NO 4-cylinder in '36! DD

flatford8 · 02-23-2017, 05:34 PM

Could be the heater?..... Mark

36tudordeluxe · 02-23-2017, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatford8

Could be the heater?..... Mark

No heater

petehoovie · 02-23-2017, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36tudordeluxe

Owners manual says a '36 should hold 5.5 gals. of coolant; I have an 8BA in my '36 and could only get about 4.5 gals. in. When I drained the system car was parked on an incline facing down, both petcocks on bottom of radiator open.

4.5 gals.? - after how many beers?

oldford2 · 02-23-2017, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36tudordeluxe

Owners manual says a '36 should hold 5.5 gals. of coolant; I have an 8BA in my '36 and could only get about 4.5 gals. in. When I drained the system car was parked on an incline facing down, both petcocks on bottom of radiator open.

Come on fellas, Fill to 1" below the top and run it. then check the level and add more if required. You don't need a manual to figure it out. Keep things simple.
John

banjoQ · 02-24-2017, 11:59 AM

I have a 8BA in my 36' truck with stock radiator. Recently re- cored rediator, cleaned and flushed block at the time. With new reconditioned radiator ,hoses and flushed block it held nearly 5 gal. Even if you over fill a bit, it will puke out the excess and find its own level. Same hose configureation? It's a head scratcher. Fill to the top of the core, drive for a while and keep a close eye on it and the temp. Good luck with it.

02-23-2017, 12:36 AM	#1
36tudordeluxe Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,260	Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Owners manual says a '36 should hold 5.5 gals. of coolant; I have an 8BA in my '36 and could only get about 4.5 gals. in. When I drained the system car was parked on an incline facing down, both petcocks on bottom of radiator open.

02-23-2017, 01:21 AM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Stock radiator?

02-23-2017, 09:39 AM	#4
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? I've never measured the water capacity on any early Fords, so I'm no help! I wouldn't think there is any difference in the water capacity between a early and late engine and if any at least not a gallon!

02-23-2017, 09:50 AM	#5
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,936	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Could it be that you have a 4 cylinder radiator in your 36?

02-23-2017, 10:08 AM	#6
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My 8BA in a '38, stock 4-row radiator, took 5.5 gallons.

02-23-2017, 10:46 AM	#7
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,627	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Did you drive it to flush out any air pockets, particularly the back of the heads and block, if you were on a nose down incline? Also you may have built up some crud in the block and the bottom of the radiator.

02-23-2017, 11:47 AM	#8
J Witt Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Acworth GA Posts: 534	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Mine took 5 gallons, plus a little, with stock, clean radiator and clean 59A engine, car sitting level. If you have thermostats that don't have a little relief hole, that may cause a fill difference. If you run the engine, can you see water circulating ( warmed up, t-stats open)? John __________________ Houston, Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed.

02-23-2017, 02:42 PM	#11
V8COOPMAN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Shore of LAKE HOUSTON Posts: 11,111	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? NO 4-cylinder in '36! DD __________________ *Click Links Below* __ ▼ *'35-'36 W/8BA & MECHANICAL FAN* *T5 W/TORQUE TUBE*

02-23-2017, 05:34 PM	#12
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,627	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? Could be the heater?..... Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

02-24-2017, 11:59 AM	#16
banjoQ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Pacifica, Ca. Posts: 299	Re: Coolant capacity for 8BA with '36 radiator? I have a 8BA in my 36' truck with stock radiator. Recently re- cored rediator, cleaned and flushed block at the time. With new reconditioned radiator ,hoses and flushed block it held nearly 5 gal. Even if you over fill a bit, it will puke out the excess and find its own level. Same hose configureation? It's a head scratcher. Fill to the top of the core, drive for a while and keep a close eye on it and the temp. Good luck with it.