560 Farmall Overheating

Bubba Marty · Dec 8, 2013

I have replaced the thermostat twice, had the radiator boiled and pressure tested - new anti freeze 4 times installed a new waterpump. It will run fine for days and then start overheating. Even yesterday -23 and within 15 minutes it would overheat and boil most of the anti freeze out. Anything you guys could help me with will be appreciated. It is a 1958 560 gas farmall..

Allan in NE · Dec 8, 2013

Odd that it would come and go like that. Is the lower radiator hose okay?

Allan

Allan in NE · Dec 8, 2013

Is the tractor "laboring" to run? As in retarded timing (points worn down)?

Allan

El Toro · Dec 8, 2013

I would remove the thermostat to see if it's still overheating. Also check the timing. Hal

teddy52food · Dec 8, 2013

Head gasket leaking??

GaryinKs · Dec 8, 2013

Is the new thermostat made in China?

notjustair · Dec 8, 2013

Take the thermostat out. If it can still overheat in this weather you will know you've got problems. Is it really getting hot or is a bad head gasket pressuring the water out? I know it happens, but I have never had an IH hot - quite the opposite.

If you leave the rad cap off and watch it are you seeing the cold antifreeze be exchanged for steaming antifreeze? Is the top hose hot to the touch? What is the guage doing? When you say boiling out the water do you mean in the engine or the entire radiator?

D Slater · Dec 8, 2013

When it acts normal did you ever look to see if coolant circulates back into the radiator? Boiling in 15 minutes at -23 sounds like no coolant flow or no coolant everywhere. Don't think a heat riser stuck closed would do it that fast. Or if its starts okay at -23 its not way out of tune.
Are you sure its boiling or could compression be pushing the coolant out?

Janicholson · Dec 8, 2013

One sure way to get to the heat of the issue is to "look" at it with a infrared/laser thermometer. They are 31 bucks at Home Depot (on line info)
As it warms up, keep checking the block, the head, and all parts of the radiator for heat. It will show the location of the rise in temp, or uneven temp in the rad core. If it is intermittent as you describe, A hose split on the inside and flopping shut like a heart valve is possible. Using a combustion gas detector kit from an auto supply store is also cheap and will rule out head gasket or cylinder head cracks into combustion. Jim

heavyhaulertoo · Dec 8, 2013

My bottom hose would suck shut if you rev it up .At fast idle it ran fine.

RC Brooks · Dec 8, 2013

I'd second checking your top radiator hose as it's getting hot. If you can grab it and hold on, then the water's not circulating. Radiator hoses can clap shut. Could be as simple as air trapped somewhere or a collapsed hose. The top radiator hose (as has already been suggested) would be my very first stop.

Brownie 450 · Dec 9, 2013

Are you using distilled water in the anti-freeze mix?? Just an odd suggestion---is the fan belt in good condition--water pump bearings not locking up in the pump--generator bearings O.K.??
Thermostat in good shape--been tested??

El Toro · Dec 10, 2013

Take a look in the radiator when the engine is at an idle for bubbles. Hal

Anonymous-0 · Dec 23, 2013

Have you replaced the radiator cap yet with correct pressure rating?

560 Farmall Overheating

Bubba Marty

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Allan in NE

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Allan in NE

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El Toro

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teddy52food

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GaryinKs

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notjustair

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D Slater

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Janicholson

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heavyhaulertoo

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RC Brooks

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Brownie 450

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El Toro

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Anonymous-0

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