1952 TO-30 Radiator/Water Pump/Thermostat

A New Tractor owner:
Purchased a Ferguson TO-30 1952 tractor.

Following the first test run use: 1hr

1. The temp gauge had not moved up much at all...never really getting into the green"normal" range

2. The top radiator hose was warm not burning hot to the touch

3. The bottom radiator hose was cool to the touch.

4. I carefully removed the Radiator cap after shutting down: expecting to find hot steam or boiling over water....what I found was some warm not hot boiling over water/antifreeze. Also the cap looks like it could be replaced.

5. Also while the tractor was running...I noticed a small amount water bubbling up from behind the weld plate (at the radiator side) that attaches the support rod to the water pump housing.

6. Also I noticed a small amount water bubbling up from the top right hand corner of the radiator...looks like the location of an earlier weld fix?

Anyway I am not a mechanic and would like some help:

-I figure the pin hole leaks will need to be fixed.

Wiil using a radiator leak fix product be advisable?

-Based on the radiator hoses do you think I have faulty thermostat?

- Or do you thing I have a water pump issue?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Take Care Mike

Radiator leak fix can be a double edged sword. One side might fix, one side might clog it up and worsen your condition.
Your 'stat is not working correctly. It is located in the top hose and should be a simple 160 degree stat.
The rad cap is rated 4 PSI. Replacement caps are usually 7 PSI. Run the coolant level at just over the top of the fins inside
the rad. Hot water rises to the top. The stat opens when it gets to 160 and allows it into the radiator where it falls to the
bottom cooling on the way down. When replacing a stat, I drill a small hole into the mounting flange somewhere on the edge. This
small, 1/16 at the most, hole allows any trapped air in the system to get past the stat eliminating an overheat situation and
also allows the stat to open gently with warm water getting to the temp bulb of the stat easier. As opposed to sudden temp
spikes because it does not get the gentle nudge. Now on the hose stat, this hole can be a bit tricky to drill in.
That's a start.

Faulty, open partially, thermostat might be an issue.
My guess is that there is none in the top hose at all.
My thoughts are no its not the water pump. Faulty
water pump will leak out the weep hole or possibly,
but I doubt it not circulate, leading to overheating
not running cold as yours is doing.
No I would not use any leak stop. That will just clog
the cores and clog up the motors water jacket. They
are both 60 years old, why do that. Do the right
thing and get a radiator shop to fix it properly. Old
original radiators are hard to come by. The
replacements so I hear don't fit well and are of
cheaper quality.

Chances are it doesn't have a thermostat in it, probably was removed by previous owner.

Being the leaks are at the top of the radiator, where there is not constant liquid coolant present, chances are stop leak would not fix it.

As for the radiator, your choices are take it to a real radiator shop, one that does truck and heavy equipment repairs, and have it repaired. You will probably have to convince them to even try to fix it, that is if you are willing to spend the money, which can get expensive. But when done you will have a reliable, original radiator.

The other option is to go with an after market replacement, which may have problems fitting, and will have a short life expectancy.

Or, you can leave it as is, just keep adding coolant. What you don't want to do is put in a thermostat and new cap without repairing the radiator. If you do, it will build pressure and the small leaks will become major leaks and loose coolant faster than you can keep adding.

Thank you I took the radiator to a qualified shop and they were able to fit the leaks. I have ordered a replacement thermostat and need to know which way the "cone " of the THERMOSTAT should face..towards the engine or towards the radiator? take Care Mike

(quoted from post at 09:41:55 10/23/16) Faulty, open partially, thermostat might be an issue.
My guess is that there is none in the top hose at all.
My thoughts are no its not the water pump. Faulty
water pump will leak out the weep hole or possibly,
but I doubt it not circulate, leading to overheating
not running cold as yours is doing.
No I would not use any leak stop. That will just clog
the cores and clog up the motors water jacket. They
are both 60 years old, why do that. Do the right
thing and get a radiator shop to fix it properly. Old
original radiators are hard to come by. The
replacements so I hear don't fit well and are of
cheaper quality.

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