The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop radiator reservoir tubing (1953 3/4 ton 250 6)

Just got her up & running. I’m having difficulty at the radiator reservoir tubing. It is keeping the reservoir & radiator filled for now but I see bubbles coming from the tubing at the radiator. I see where it is dripping down the tube. Definitely not a radiator leak.
I have a pipe clamp on it tight. Any ideas how I can seal this?

Is the clamp round? If it was bent or of too large diameter, it won't clamp down into a tight circle around the metal outlet. Replace it with the right size and/or use two clamps.

OK!

The correct size hose and the correct size clamp should do it, make sure the metal tube is round. The clamp you currently have is too big.

I agree that getting a proper hose clamp in place is the first thing to do. And I assume that you have the proper type radiator cap installed. It would have both a rubber seal backed with the spring that sits in the bottom of the radiator's fill tube and another rubber seal that mates with the top of the fill tube that allows coolant to be sucked back into that radiator as it cools.

Compared to the top of the radiator, how far above or below is the coolant recovery tank? They work best when the recovery tank is approximately the height as the radiator cap. And having a fairly level tube between the radiator and the tank allows the system to expel air easier. Your tube starts at the top of the radiator and runs straight down to the bottom of the radiator before making its way to the tank. This may not be a problem at all. Heat cycle your truck a few times after you get the new clamp in place and then look at the clear tube. If there is no air in the tube I wouldn't worry about the changing the routing of the tube or the height of the recovery tank.

I replaced the clamp & added a 2 nd smaller one. Drove her around some and there was no drops & the clear hose is full.
Thank you!