Next question: About the radiator.

newbie8nowner · Apr 17, 2015

Took the radiator from my 8n to the shop today and left totally confused. Here is why, when the tractor was running the flow through the radiator
seemed to be fine and constant, the guy at the shop did an air test and said that the core was stopped up and that this is probably the reason I have
to replace the head gasket. Here is my dilemma, do I take my chances with the old one, purchase an aftermarket or let him order a 300.00 core and
replace it. If the answer is purchase another one is there any suggestions on the best parts store to buy it from?

R Geiger · Apr 17, 2015

I got one from your hosts here at YT. Have had no problems with it.

Den N Ms · Apr 17, 2015

Newbie8nowner,While you have it apart why not try and get it cleaned out yourself.Lay it down front side facing down with the fill cap screwed on tight.Fill it up to to the brim on the upper hose outlet with apple cider vinegar maybe a gallon and 1/2 or 2 and let it soak for about 4 days before flushing it out with water back and forth,each neck with a garden hose and a rag to seal off between the hose and necks to clean it out.Then check the flow out of each neck.If it had good circulation before ,Maybe over heating but the radiator had nothing to do with the head gasket blowing out.

Dell (WA) · Apr 17, 2015

nuebie........compare prices. Radiator shops used to do a trick called "roddin" the core. They'd stick a thin rod/wire up from the bottom of the core and clean out the mineral deposits. Then re-solder top and bottom tanks. Me? Since I'm NOT a sphincterly challenged originality authority, I'd byte the bullet and buy one from our host, Yesterdays Tractors. Remember always use 50/50 anti-freeze. Less likely to have mineral deposits. ........Dell

Den N Ms · Apr 17, 2015

Oh and flush out the engine block to.

old · Apr 17, 2015

Good old white vinegar works just as good as any other and is easier to find. Just to let you know

old · Apr 17, 2015

If it was mine I would put the radiator back on and fill the system with vinegar. Does not matter what type just vinegar. Run it till good and warm let sit till cool then rig up a way to back flush the WHOLE cooling system by way of the block drain. Year ago I rigged up a hook up using part of an old garden hose and a couple pipe fittings to go into most tractor engine block drain holes and have used it many times over the years

pinball · Apr 17, 2015

You can buy a new one off ebay for $200. Personally if it were mine and I would start it up and see if the hoses on the radiator become solid/hard real quick. Then take the radiator cap off slowly and see if air blows out. probably wont take 30 seconds. If it does blow air out then your head is leaking exhaust into the radiator system. You need to fix that first. From what I understand theres a thermostat inside upper hose. might want to check that. possibly removing it . Vinegar idea is a good idea of cleaning the system. It would really be suspect to me if the radiator is plugged enough to hurt anything. You can drain the radiator. take the bottom hose of then take a garden hose and flood the top of the radiator and see how much water comes out. That will give you a good idea of the radiators cooling. Of course the engine needs to be cold when you do this. So theres definetly things I would do before I bought a new radiator. Norm

Dean · Apr 18, 2015

I would have your OEM radiator repaired if possible.

If not, I would find a good or repairable OEM radiator.

Third choice would be to recore your OEM radiator with a quality flat-finned industrial replacement core.

An aftermarket radiator would be my last choice.

Dean

ASEguy · Apr 18, 2015

If you decide to use the vinegar but are unsure if you have done an effective job, after filling and running to minimum operating temp(thermostat opening), sweep side to side and top to bottom with a non contact thermometer and look for cooler spots indicating blockage.

Next question: About the radiator.

newbie8nowner

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R Geiger

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Den N Ms

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Dell (WA)

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Den N Ms

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old

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old

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pinball

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Dean

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ASEguy

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