The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Radiator questions-54 Chevy 3100

How many quarts is the original radiator, and is there any specific thing I need to put in it?

16 quarts http://chevy.tocmp.com/shop/1954truck/54ctsm0684.html
You'll want to use a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, the regular green stuff, the "mix with any color" antifreeze will be fine, too. I personally prefer to mix it myself than use the pre-mix stuff, it's cheaper and you can control the mix ratio better.
BTW, before you get too deep in, you'll want to get a shop manual, or at least add the link I posted to favorites for referrence.

Thank you, I've already bookmarked it.

How many quarts do I put in? I know that you don't fill it all the way up, for the expansion(?) purposes of the antifreeze/water mix.

For the most part, it's generally accepted to just fill it to where the coolant is just above the tubes in the core.

I looked in the manual(online) and figured it out, so now it's about an inch from the top, and just a little above the tube.

Oh, and as you probably figured out, since I got the fluid to stay in,......... THE RADIATOR IS IN PERFECT CONDITION!!!!!!!!!! No crap or anything came out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just the drain had some stuff plugging it, but that was on the outside.

Here's one for jdl,
You could always replace that rad. with a new aluminum one and go and run racing coolant. I have an Air Mobile 2 row 1 inch tube aluminum with Evans Cooling NPG+ Coolant good for 375 degrees. Straight coolant no water. Bit pricey though. They're located in Penn. with dealers nationwide.

Dave

Well, for now, since that radiator is in PERFECT condition, I'll stick with it.

Well stick with it. We can't keep the hobby going if the kids aren't interested in it.
Dave

Jordan,

You really won't know what shape your radiator is in until you run the engine and let it heat up and pressurize. Mine holds the coolant fine but when the engine heats up it leaks at the top seam. Fortunately it is an easy and inexpensive repair.

You should make a list of questions you have and go to link LONGBOX55 gave you and do some research. You will learn a lot from the online manuals, and get answers to questions you haven't even thought of yet. You should also get the casting numbers off the block and head and the engine serial number to see what you really have.

Jim, I will do that. Since the radiator was almost full when I took off the cap, and it made a hissing noise when I took off the cap, I presume that the radiator WAS pressurized, and therefor it didn't leak so it might be in good condition?

Jordan:
How much is your allowance?

You should hit the family up for an increase so you can buy all the neat stuff you're gonna want for the old truck. Maybe you could mow yards in the summer or a part time job at McDonald's in a few years when you're old enough. You might also make friends at a nearby machine shop for advice and a little assist with technical jobs.

Allowance? In the summer, when I go to my dad's, I get $20 at a time when I mow the yard. At my mom's, I mow the yard, and other stuff, but I don't get an allowance though. I usually just ask her to buy me something if I need it.

P.S. My neighbor has alot of tools and knowledge on working on things. I'm not sure, but I think he used to be a mechanic. So chances are, if I can't get something done on the truck, I'll ask him if he'll help.

Jordan,
Ya might want to offer the neighbor with the tools and knowlege your grass mowin service for his help this summer ???. ya never know ya might make a great freind/teacher?
A young man such as yourself with limited funds will need some assistance to proceede very far on your project,an nothin shows ambition better than workin a bit for what you are getting.
It is nice to see your enthusiasm.
Tim