Need help--How to Clean Radiator
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Topic author - Posts: 878
- Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2020 9:28 pm
- First Name: Bruce
- Last Name: Brakke
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 coupe
- Location: Ames, Iowa
- MTFCA Number: 31192
Need help--How to Clean Radiator
I have removed the radiator from my 1927 coupe. The coupe hasn't been run since 1959. How do I clean out the inside of the radiator?
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- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:25 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Iaccino
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 Roadster, Open Runnabout
- Location: Rhinebeck, NY
- MTFCA Number: 17802
Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
Plug the outlet and pour in cheap vinegar and let it stand for a few hours. Put the radiator back on the car and fill with water mixed with washing soda. Let the car run until it gets hot , then drain. When all finished, fill with water to neutralize the vinegar and washing soda. An old trick told to me by an old radiator man.
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- First Name: Jeff
- Last Name: Humble
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Canadian built coupe, 1924 TT C-cab, survivor 1924 roadster
- Location: Charlevoix, Mi
- MTFCA Number: 28034
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Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
Take it to a radiator repair shop, they can clean it, test for leaks, and repair as needed.
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- First Name: David
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- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Coupe
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Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
Make sure the radiator shop understands that it is not a pressurised system. If they test it with anything much over 2 or 3 PSI, they may well destroy it. Just ask Dallas. Dave
1925 mostly original coupe.
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- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
- MTFCA Number: 28924
Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
Hopefully the radiator will still do it’s job of cooling. If it’s an original radiator be prepared that it may not cool well. Being cleaned up and still looking good is not a guarantee that it will still cool well. Good luck.
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- First Name: John
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Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
I agree with John Kuehn. I found this out the hard way.
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- First Name: Steve
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Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
What John and John are talking about is the fact that many decades of vibration can cause the radiator's cooling fins to work loose from the tubes. With that decreased physical contact not enough heat is transferred from the tubes to the fins to the air, so the radiator no longer radiates as it should.
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG96.html
http://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG96.html
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- First Name: Henry
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- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1918 TT
- Location: Modesto, CA
Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
If it hasn't been run in 61 years I'd also pull the head and clean both the block and the head at the same time.
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- First Name: Norman
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Re: Need help--How to Clean Radiator
Here is a way NOT to clean it. Many years ago I had a Model A. I wanted to clean the radiator and a poured in some laundry detergent and water and ran the engine for a while. Then I drained it out. I flushed it over and over and then went for a ride. It was like Lawrence Welk's bubble machine. It took a very long time to get it to stop foaming. I think your vinegar and soda method is a good one. The vinegar will dissolve hard water deposits and rust. The soda will neutralize the vinegar and it should help. However, a radiator shop can do a better job, and if it is a good shop will also fix any leaks and tell you whether the radiator can be used again.
The main problem with old radiators is corrosion in the junction with the cross fins and the water tubes which inhibits heat transfer and cooling. So even if the tubes are clean and not leaking, it will still not cool the engine.
Norm
The main problem with old radiators is corrosion in the junction with the cross fins and the water tubes which inhibits heat transfer and cooling. So even if the tubes are clean and not leaking, it will still not cool the engine.
Norm