M Cooling system flush

Firechief135 · Jun 16, 2010

I recently purchased a '51 M and do not have much history of the machine - so I thought a good place to start would be to replace fluids & filters etc.

The coolant in the radiator is pretty ugly rust brown. There does not appear to be any oil in it and the tractor runs great with no smoke at all.

My question is - what do the folks here recommend to do and use to flush out the cooling system? Any advice would be appreciated - thank you.

Brad

CNKS · Jun 16, 2010

Just use a Prestone cleaner, or equivalent. HOWEVER, you will not get everything out. That system has 59 years of thick crud in it, and will not come out unless the radiator is rodded by a radiator shop (and will probably fall apart in the process) and the block and head hot tanked. As a compromise I put dilute HCl in my Super H, with the radiator off, then flushed repeatedly with baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate). Merely telling you what I did, not a recommendation. Acid must be neutralized, it cannot be removed with water. It is reasonably clean. Also you should replace the cover/water distribution piece on the left side of the engine. It will be rusted through inside.

Firechief135 · Jun 18, 2010

Thanks CNKS!!!
Two questions - if you run dilute HCl thru the block with the radiator off - how do you circulate it? Do you essentially hook the hoses that would go to the radiator together and then run the engine, probably with the thermostat out?

Second - you mention having the radiator rodded AND it will probably fall apart

Can the shop fix that or is it a new radiator. I would like to take good care of this tractor and am willing to do things the right way - however if I do not have to take much of the motor apart I would prefer not to as it seems to run very good as is.

Thanks for your help and advice,
Brad

Firechief135 · Jun 22, 2010

Thanks CNKS!!!

I have looked on YT parts pages and do not see the cover you are referring to - is this different than the thermostat housing I am assuming?

Brad

Coax · Jun 22, 2010

(quoted from post at 12:03:11 06/22/10) Thanks CNKS!!!

I have looked on YT parts pages and do not see the cover you are referring to - is this different than the thermostat housing I am assuming?

Brad

here is a cover on both sides of the M engine,the right,(as your'e looking towards the Radiator) covers the push rods. The left covers the water jacket...

Firechief135 · Jun 22, 2010

Coax,

Thanks for the information. Are these covers available through any of the commor parts resources e.g. YT? I have looked for them but am not finding any listed?

Thanks again for the help,
Brad

M Cooling system flush

Our Phone System is Down!

Please use the Contact us Form

We are working to resolve the issue ASAP! Thanks for your patience!

Firechief135

Member

CNKS

Well-known Member

Firechief135

Member

Firechief135

Member

Coax

Member

Firechief135

Member

Similar threads