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Hot running A

M

Mark Poss

Well-known Member
I purchased a 1937 A this summer, that sat dormant for 17 years. I got it running, changed oil, and started disking with it and today started plowing with it and it has been running hot. I took an air hose and blew the radiator out. It helped but still running between 200 and 210 on the original white faced John Deere gauge. I plowed for 1/2 hour and was afraid to do any more, and mess up the motor. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Mark
 
Mark, what you are seeing is perfectly NORMAL for a thermo-syphon cooled tractor being worked!

Engines are NOT damaged by heat 'til they get hot enough to boil off the coolant and leave part of the engine uncooled.

Actually, being in the temp range you are seeing is GOOD for the engine 'cuz it helps keep moisture and acids from contaminating the crankcase oil.
 
It's not just a DEERE thing. That's the way ALL engines were, pre waterpump.

I hope you enjoy the "A", I wish I had one!
 
Agree with Bob. Make sure you always pre mix antifreeze before adding any & you can check the gauge with a cooking thermometer in the radiator fill hole. If it's not steaming excessively out the cap it's fine. 180 is a good goal for a minimum operating temp.
 
Are you running a 50-50 antifreeze or straight water? Water runs cooler. Check you magneto timing with a timing light. 25 deg. total advance is best for plowing. My 35 A run around 190 deg. plowing with the original radiator core. It caught the fan hub and I put in a new core . It now runs around 200- 205 with a 50-50 mix. If weather permits I am going to try straight water. I have a water pump I may put on this winter. I need to put a heat shield under my fuel tank. I notice a little power loss over 180 deg.
 
It is true that pure water provides better heat transfer, but a glycol mix provides corrosion and freeze protection.
 
David

I hope to be plowing here in central Illinois in the next couple of weeks. Several people has told me water will run 5-10 deg. cooler than 50-50 mix in the thermo syphon system. We put a water pump on a styled "G" that was running around 200 deg. plowing. I think he told me it was running in the 170-185 deg. plowing now.
 
My 46 B always runs about the 200-210 range each week when I am cutting my lawn with it. I pull a 6ft Landpride finish mower with it. Knock on wood. I have used it for over 12 years that way.
 
Did I say it was? Thanks for the reply. That is why they add the thermostat to control temp. on engines with water pumps. Sure works better than shutters & radiator curtains. Can you control it with shutters & curtains ? Yes you can, but not as even temp. as a thermostat.
 
I have a 41 all fuel A that I use for snow removal, I have a 2,1/2" ball valve in the lower coolant pipe to keep it at 200+ when it's -30 & windy. Once it gets hot I crack it slightly open & it stays around 200. I also have working shutters with the dash knob. With the ball valve the tank heater cooks it up in no time- it's a hand start so I run full synthetic oil also.
 

Mark, one thing to look at...

How full is your Radiator..?

If the coolant level is Above the bottom of the return, coolant will flow freely..if it is lower, the coolant cannot freely flow until it gets hot enough to rise, to flow over the top and into the Radiator..
Make sense..?? Could that be the problem..?
My '52 JD "B" is +.180", with 100% Glycol and it never works above 170, unless I close the shutters. It does have the Water Pump added, because of use in the Mounted Corn Picker.
It's very hard to keep a radiator clean in a Mounted Picker (even WITH the special Bonnet on it)..
That was why it went 20+ years or so without Shutters on it!

Ron.
 

Have you Flushed the Cooling System..?

May be a good idea to drop the lower radiator pipe and use a Power-Washer into the end toward the Cylinders, to shake the sediment loose, then Flush the entire cooling system well..(White Vinegar)..

Ron.
 
Make sure your shutters are open some if you have them on it. They would be on the front of the radiator.
 
Thanks for all the replies, I took it out today and plowed for four hours I kept the throttle back a little unless I needed it and it stayed in the 200 degree range. Thanks again, Mark.
 
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