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Oliver HG Cletrac 1952

T

TomasB2017Harley

New User
Rookie here at restoration
Question I don t believe my Cletrac has a water pump or thermostat..
Not sure if radiator should be spitting fluids out of the overflow
And after running a bit the bottom radiator hose seems too cool to the touch
Please any thoughts
Tomas
 

When you look into the top of the radiator, can you see if the antifreeze or water is over the tubes. If you fill it full, it will spit out the overflow until it finds it's own level. Also the heated water will circulate the water.
 

Early HGs had thermosiphon cooling (no water pump). When the engine was updated to the Hercules IXB-3 they had a water pump.
 
(quoted from post at 07:45:07 08/08/23)
Early HGs had thermosiphon cooling (no water pump). When the engine was updated to the Hercules IXB-3 they had a water pump.
Click to expand...


Okay
Interesting
Is there a possibility of blockage in the water movement ( say the thermosiphon ( devise ) or if a thermostat has been added and stuck shut ?
The engine starts and runs smoothly
But lower radiator hose doesn t warm up very much and temp gauge doesn t go up either.
Also wandering how much radiator pressure is normal
Thinking of possible head gasket or head damage.
Oil looks good , no sign of water
Normal operation quickly pushes 4 inches of water out the overflow .
Regards Tom
 

If it's a 1952, I believe it should be an Oliver and not a Cletrac and should have an IXB3. You have any serial numbers?
 
(quoted from post at 09:04:09 08/08/23)
If it's a 1952, I believe it should be an Oliver and not a Cletrac and should have an IXB3. You have any serial numbers?
Click to expand...

Yes
Model HG 68
SN 40GA252
Says Oliver -Cletrac
Motor
- model 1XK3
-Eng. # 2418854

What are your best thoughts
- ?
Thanks Tom
 
(quoted from post at 13:11:51 08/08/23)
My serial number list puts it as a 1948, which makes the engine correct with no water pump.
Click to expand...

Humm
Okay
Was told that the tractor was a 52 when I bought it..
It makes sense now that it is older than a 52.
Can you help me understand the possible pressure in the radiator?
I could get a gauge and actually check if pressure even exists..?
Thanks
 
Hello Tomas welcome to YT! Wondergem has a very
good answer for you. Unless what you see coming out
of the radiator is a fair bit of bubbling. In that case
compression or combustion pressure may be pushing
out of the cylinder into the cooling system. Most likely
culprits for that is the head gasket or cracks in the
head. As he explained water when heated expands, so
if you have it filled to the top when the water heats it
will expand and run over. As far as the lower radiator
hose being cool that is the way it works. Heated water
rises up out of the top hose into the radiator. Of course
any water that flows out must be replaced so the lower
hose pulls water back in. That water or coolant had
been cooled as it drops down in the radiator.
 
(quoted from post at 22:12:34 08/08/23) Hello Tomas welcome to YT! Wondergem has a very
good answer for you. Unless what you see coming out
of the radiator is a fair bit of bubbling. In that case
compression or combustion pressure may be pushing
out of the cylinder into the cooling system. Most likely
culprits for that is the head gasket or cracks in the
head. As he explained water when heated expands, so
if you have it filled to the top when the water heats it
will expand and run over. As far as the lower radiator
hose being cool that is the way it works. Heated water
rises up out of the top hose into the radiator. Of course
any water that flows out must be replaced so the lower
hose pulls water back in. That water or coolant had
been cooled as it drops down in the radiator.
Click to expand...

Used Red MN

The system is making more sense to me..
Thank you

If I do put a pressure gauge on the radiator system ( plug over flow) .. if operating correctly it should not have much pressure ( other than expansion) correct?
And after expansion pressure ( not a building pressure)
 

If I were in your shoes and not knowing the history of the tractor, I'd be pulling the hoses and checking the radiator to make sure it's not obstructed.
 

No, I'd just see if water runs through it normally and it's free of debris. Same thing with the engine. Flush it all out.
 

The small drain port? That's not going to let you know the radiator is flowing freely without obstruction or crud in it. Was the tractor maintained before you bought it?

Perhaps it would help us knowing your level of experience dealing with old equipment like this.
 
(quoted from post at 16:14:08 08/09/23)
The small drain port? That's not going to let you know the radiator is flowing freely without obstruction or crud in it. Was the tractor maintained before you bought it?

Perhaps it would help us knowing your level of experience dealing with old equipment like this.
Click to expand...

Scootergmc

Pitcock at lower hose entry to motor.
I do feel fairly confident that the radiator is in good shape.
It looks good and fluid coming out was decent.
The tractor has mostly been rebuilt by an individual that seemed to do a good job ..( he has since past away .)
I know some basic stuff but not details about restoration.
If I knew how to send pictures I would.
The tractor runs smoothly, if you think it normal to run with fluid levels down about 4-5 inches ( that seems to be where it quits spitting out and I can evaluate thermostat to see it moving ( it is new ) .
Or figure if there is extreme pressure in radiator system, then fix that issue..
Thoughts
 
(quoted from post at 16:40:23 08/09/23)
Ok, do you feel you have a basic understanding of the thermosiphon system?
Click to expand...

Somewhat,,
No moving parts , no thermostat
Movement of radiator fluid up through motor cavities as the fluid warms up ( hotter it is the faster it rises ) then down through cooling radiator coils - back into lower motor chamber..

Temp gauge monitors lower system fluid
A newer gauge is in place.
I may unhook temp probe and place in very hot water to see if
the gauge moves ( does this make sense ) or just fill system w/ fluid and run the engine longer.?
 

If you feel comfortable the cooling system is free of debris and the radiator is unobstructed, then I would fill with distilled water and run it.

I would only do this if you feel the previous owner knew what he was doing and had a good running tractor. Otherwise, I'd probably verify the radiator flows well from top to bottom.

Do you have any manuals? I know there's a pdf of the operators manual floating around online. I can't guarantee you won't get a virus, but you can view it here: https://truckmanualshub.com/cletrac-tractor-operators-instruction-manuals-pdf/
 
(quoted from post at 21:13:28 08/09/23)
If you feel comfortable the cooling system is free of debris and the radiator is unobstructed, then I would fill with distilled water and run it.

I would only do this if you feel the previous owner knew what he was doing and had a good running tractor. Otherwise, I'd probably verify the radiator flows well from top to bottom.

Do you have any manuals? I know there's a pdf of the operators manual floating around online. I can't guarantee you won't get a virus, but you can view it here: https://truckmanualshub.com/cletrac-tractor-operators-instruction-manuals-pdf/
Click to expand...

I feel good about the radiator and if not having obstructions
I originally thought it had a thermostat in the upper hose area but now realize, not one there .
I have a manual coming ( couple days ).

Why distilled water and not Antifreeze solution?

I am still a little concerned about losing top several inches of fluid out the overflow, don t think it is normal and would like to know condition of head gasket and head, how best can I achieve that w/ out a lot of expense,
Thanks
 
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