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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 50 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 50 | Since I got my truck it has never warmed up. Not just by the guage--you could barely warm your hands on the radiator or valve covers. I suspected that it had no thermostat. Thinking that it would be better for the engine to reach normal operating temperature, I installed a thermostat (180 degrees). Now, the radiator, which previously did not leak, spews steam and drips antifreez once the thermostat opens. Is this because once the thermostat opens there is more pressure in the radiator than there was without a thermo--thus causing weak spots to leak?? Maybe there was no thermostat for a reason--dah!!
Lee | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | yes, possible the PO decided to "fix" the leaks the easy way  could be a number of different problems there, from a partly clogged rad to overfilling [seems most folks do that] using a properly functioning thermostat will set the minimum temp the engine will run, keeping it up to the best temp for economical long life - 283's like to run 180-200, which will generate enough pressure to need a 7# cap, if your cooling system can't stand that, fix it right Bill | | | | | Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 Riding in the Passing Lane | | Riding in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,597 | Look at the pressure cap. The pressure is stamped in it. You should have no more then 4 or 7 lbs. Like Squeeze say's you need to get the radiator fixed or a new one. A can of Bar's Leaks might fix some small leaks.
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne SuperIn the Gallery Forum | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 78 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 78 | Mine leaked at every hose when I got it, plus the pump's weep hole. I replaced it all, and then two days later, the radiator started spewing through many tiny leaks that were probably there the whole time, but once I fixed all the big ones, even the normal amount of pressure was too much for the 50 year old radiator.
1959 Chevy 3/4-ton (pics posted soon)
I child-proofed my house, but my kids keep finding their way back in.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 50 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 50 | So, if there are little leaks in the cooling fins, is repair reasonable---is it likely that some repair may not keep a 53 year old radiator from continuing to deterioriate??Classic Trucks sells a new one for about $350
Lee | | | | | Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Jul 2001 Posts: 3,887 | if there's 'staining' at the top of the fin area, it will likely be from where the tubes attach to the bottom of the tank - that can be fixed by rebuilding providing the fin and/or tank metal isn't too thin from age, need to have a good rad shop evaluate it .... may cost as much as a repro to get it rebuilt, especially if it needs a new core
Bill | | |
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