The Ford Barn

hotrodrich · 03-09-2020, 06:30 PM

I have a 1930 A and the radiator overflow tube has been pinched closed. Is this done for a reason?

1crosscut · 03-09-2020, 06:38 PM

I'm thinking that someone that kept their radiator overly full may have gotten frustrated with coolant pushing out the overflow tube. They pinched it shut to try to stop that from happening.

eagle · 03-09-2020, 06:48 PM

As long as it is not sealed it should be OK. Test it by filling the radiator, then pushing a hose onto the outlet end of the overflow tube, run the other end of the hose to a container, such as a soda bottle. Start the engine, and as it heats up you should see coolant flow into the bottle. If it doesn't, then the overflow tube is sealed and will need to be unsealed, just treat the radiator gently, old solder and copper can be brittle.

hotrodrich · 03-09-2020, 07:10 PM

The tube only extends about 6" from the top of the radiator and it is pinched closed. I am going to cut off the end so it will be open and run it all the way to the bottom of the radiator and clear of anything it will shoot onto. Thanks for the help.

hotrodrich · 03-09-2020, 07:14 PM

Eagle, I just read your quote, "There are some that can destroy......." I love that! I have a buddy that helps me a lot and he's like that. His history is that he was a Catapiller mechanic all his life.

eagle · 03-10-2020, 01:45 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodrich

The tube only extends about 6" from the top of the radiator and it is pinched closed. I am going to cut off the end so it will be open and run it all the way to the bottom of the radiator and clear of anything it will shoot onto. Thanks for the help.

Aha! Got it. I was thinking someone had crimped the tube INSIDE the radiator, I've saw that before. Outside is a different story, my previous post is irrelevant.

eagle · 03-10-2020, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodrich

Eagle, I just read your quote, "There are some that can destroy......." I love that! I have a buddy that helps me a lot and he's like that. His history is that he was a Catapiller mechanic all his life.

Yeah, and that's not necessarily aimed at others, I think we've probably all been in the situation where a "repair" we've done has left the situation worse off than if we'd just left it alone!

03-09-2020, 06:30 PM	#1
hotrodrich Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 21	Radiator Overflow Tube I have a 1930 A and the radiator overflow tube has been pinched closed. Is this done for a reason?

03-09-2020, 06:38 PM	#2
1crosscut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 1,907	Re: Radiator Overflow Tube I'm thinking that someone that kept their radiator overly full may have gotten frustrated with coolant pushing out the overflow tube. They pinched it shut to try to stop that from happening. __________________ Dave / Lincoln Nebraska

03-09-2020, 06:48 PM	#3
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Radiator Overflow Tube As long as it is not sealed it should be OK. Test it by filling the radiator, then pushing a hose onto the outlet end of the overflow tube, run the other end of the hose to a container, such as a soda bottle. Start the engine, and as it heats up you should see coolant flow into the bottle. If it doesn't, then the overflow tube is sealed and will need to be unsealed, just treat the radiator gently, old solder and copper can be brittle. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

03-09-2020, 07:10 PM	#4
hotrodrich Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 21	Re: Radiator Overflow Tube The tube only extends about 6" from the top of the radiator and it is pinched closed. I am going to cut off the end so it will be open and run it all the way to the bottom of the radiator and clear of anything it will shoot onto. Thanks for the help.

03-09-2020, 07:14 PM	#5
hotrodrich Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 21	Re: Radiator Overflow Tube Eagle, I just read your quote, "There are some that can destroy......." I love that! I have a buddy that helps me a lot and he's like that. His history is that he was a Catapiller mechanic all his life.