The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Radiator question on 37' pickup

Finally took delivery of my 37 yesterday. After a short drive, i noticed "water" dripping out of the lower left side of the radiator. It looks like a small outlet tube, but no hose was attached. Am I missing something here? Can't seem to track the info down.

in the bottom tank of the rad? that'd be the drain petcock - if a 'small tube' that runs down the side of the rad frame from the top, that'd probably be the overflow tube, which can 'dribble' after running if the rad is overfilled, need to keep the water level at least an inch down

Bill

Thanks Bill, it's the small overflow tube. I will check the levels.

I hooked a clear tube to the overflow. I put the loose end in a mason jar and use it for an overflow bottle. I did have to make a small bracket to hold the mason jar.

I actually run an over flow tank on my 37 and I have it mounted inside the grill chin under the wind dam that goes from the front of the chin up to the bottom radiator. It is a nice size, but small enough to hide in that spot. I have found if I keep a piece of hose running from the radiator overflow tube into the bottom of the overflow tank, it will fill when hot and draw the water back into the radiator when it cools down. I haven't added any water or coolant to the radiator in years. It works like a closed system because I closed it with the overflow tank. Pressure on the cap doesn't make any difference as long as it is a "closed" system.

I added an overflow tank to my 49 216 and haven't had to add any anti freeze since. Likes been posted, when the engine heats up to operating temp it'll fill the overflow tank about 1/3rd up and when I shut it down and it cools off it'll suck the fluid back into the radiator. It actually fills the rad up to the tip top when cold.
I've since sealed the overflow tank off better.
Theres some nice aftermarket overflow tanks available by just about all the classic part retailers.
Dave

As has been mentioned, the best method is to use an overflow tank. However, the system can work just ifne without one, you simply need to let the radiator find its level, and not continue filling it otherwise it will continue puking.