09-28-2010, 03:16 PM | #1 |
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coolant overflow
I have a 68 project truck with a 350, and yesterday after running it in the driveway for a while, I turned it off then coolant came out of the overflow tube on the radiator. Temp gauge read normal, new thermostat installed and mixed 50/50 coolant. Why would this happen? What size radiator cap should I use?
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09-28-2010, 03:23 PM | #2 | |
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Re: coolant overflow
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09-28-2010, 03:54 PM | #3 |
Gone to greener pastures
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Location: Gateway to the Delta
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Re: coolant overflow
If you don't have a catch tank that is normal.
If you look at a stock radiator, you'll see that "FULL COLD" (or something like that) is embossed on the radiator tank about 2"-3" below the filler neck. Both of my trucks had 16# caps on them when I got the trucks, so that is what I continue to run.
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09-28-2010, 04:14 PM | #4 |
20' Daredevil (Ret)
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Location: Jefferson State
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Re: coolant overflow
^^ Yep... iirc, A/C rigs use 16# and non-A/C use about 13#. If you fit a coolant recovery tank (advisable) be sure to get a cap for a sealed system or the coolant won't get sucked back into the radiator as it cools.
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09-28-2010, 05:04 PM | #5 |
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Re: coolant overflow
Might have just burped a little excess fluid
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09-28-2010, 07:59 PM | #6 |
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Re: coolant overflow
Everytime I filled the radiator on my 69 it would burp out fluid out until it was happy. Usually about 2 inches below full. Never had a problem with overheating.
My 68 GMC did the same but would run hotter than normal on unusually hot days. I installed an overflow tube made from black pvc pipe and replaced the cap as mentioned above. Never overheated this last summer and everytime I check the fluid the radiator is full. I guess it just likes a full radiator. |
09-28-2010, 08:23 PM | #7 |
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Location: Dayton, Ohio
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Re: coolant overflow
Can't help with the diagnosis, but I had a Ford Pinto in high school that did this every time I stopped the car in the parking lot (it had no overflow catch can, just a tube pointed at the ground. After a while it was a big event as I would be about 25 feet away, put my arm up to the sky and then bring it down on queue. It was awesome and I received great cheers....
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