farmall A radiator overflow

tractorman121946 · Mar 21, 2019

Had my farmall A since 1976, always had flat land, new place
now is very hilly. Never, in all this time did I have to add
antifreeze. It does not over heat, I can idle for 15 minutes
and no leakage. There is no water pump on these early models,
I feel it is leaking from the over flow tube since tractor is not on
a flat surface. Should I install a rubber hose on overflow
tube and kink or is there some type of recovery bottle I can
purchase.

showcrop · Mar 21, 2019

You don't want to close the over flow tube off. Damage will result. What do you mean by "I feel"

tractorman121946 · Mar 21, 2019

Being on a hill, the water level changes and it will run out the overflow tube.

Janicholson · Mar 21, 2019

Early As had a large cap that could fit the gas tank. Later had smaller caps that are like 70s cars, with a spring and rubber
seal on a disc. Either type should have no more coolant than 0ne inch above the cores inside the top tank when cold. More will
run out the overflow on hills, especially the older non pressurized system. Jim

ed will · Mar 21, 2019

Hi, my cub will overflow if I have it too full to start with. I
just let it overflow till it quits then it still have enough
left to do the job. I leave the cap loose. Ed Will Oliver BC

D beatty · Mar 22, 2019

IF you can find a place to mount put a recovery bottle on it.

Texasmark1 · Mar 22, 2019

The tank on top of the tubes of a radiator is designed to "capture" coolant as it warms up and expands.......on older design cooling systems. In growing
up, I always filled my radiator tank full and experienced over flow problems. So I stuck an gallon container of some sort between the radiator and grille
and stuck the overflow tube in it. Every so often I would put the contents back into the radiator.

Time passes and one day I'm reading a tractor manual and what I said above was clearly posted. I decided to fill my radiators just above the top of the
tubes when the engine is cold and never had an overflow problem since.

If this applies to you it might solve your problem.

showcrop · Mar 22, 2019

When I replaced the stock radiator on a 200 HP tractor with one from a Honda Accord it tended to push coolant during heat-up. I put a recovery container in front of the radiator behind the grill. It has worked well. I wouldn't think that it would be necessary in your situation to go to this extent when simply running the correct level in the radiator as Janicholson and ed will have suggested should solve your problem.

D beatty · Mar 22, 2019

Even on an old systems if you put recovery bottle on them you won't need to dump back in radiator. When cooling system cools down it will suck fluid out of bottle back into radiator.

BarnyardEngineering · Mar 22, 2019

Are you filling the radiator to the tippy-top?

If so that is your problem. You are leaving no room for expansion as the water heats and expands.

On a thermosiphon system the coolant level should just cover the radiator fins. No closer to the top than 2" down from the base of the filler neck.

If you overfill, it will seek its own level. If you keep topping it off every time, you will convince yourself that there is a serious problem with your tractor, when there is not.

tractorman121946 · Mar 30, 2019

Thanks so much. This is what I am going to try.

farmall A radiator overflow

tractorman121946

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showcrop

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tractorman121946

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Janicholson

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