Radiator issue

Jay Liedman · Dec 3, 2017

I am working on rebuilding a 460 IH gas tractor. I have gotten to the point of trying to start it, but when it does start, coolant is forced out of the top of the radiator. I took off the radiator, and did find some leaf material floating in the upper chamber. I got that out, then had a local mechanic hook up a hose to the bottom of the radiator, and flush it out. The water seemed to come through just fine. I put it back on, but when we started the tractor again we had the same problem with coolant squirting out of the top of the radiator. Is there any other thing that could cause that other than some obstruction inside the radiator itself?

Steve@Advance · Dec 3, 2017

Let's hope not, but combustion gasses entering the water jacket can cause coolant to push out.

jm. · Dec 3, 2017

Jay one of two things, either you installed the head gasket wrong or the head is cracked. Did you have the head checked? And are you certain you got the right head gasket?

Billy Shafer · Dec 3, 2017

Could also be that the head gasket is not cut for that engine. I had one doing the same thing. Pulled the head off to check the head for cracks. From the head work. Noticed all the ports not cut into the gasket. Just an idea to think about.

Loren in Iowa · Dec 3, 2017

You got the radiator flushed out, but the water passages, in the block, could be full of stuff that mice drug in. I'd look at flushing out the block.

Jay Liedman · Dec 3, 2017

The head was checked by a machinist and gone over. As for the head gasket, it was part of a standard Felpro (unsure of spelling) full set; it seemed to fit OK. I did replace the sleeves and pistons as part of the rebuild.

Steve@Advance · Dec 3, 2017

You could do a dry start, hold your hand over the radiator cap, block the overflow, see if it develops pressure quickly.

Are you getting coolant in any of the cylinders?

There is also a combustion gas leak test.
Combustion Gas Test

Bob Harvey · Dec 3, 2017

Are you filling the rad to just cover the exposed fins ? Overfilling can cause your problem. Check the overflow pipe, could be crimped. HTH

pete 23 · Dec 3, 2017

Check for combustion leaking into coolant. Easy test is to take belt off water pump, fill radiator right up to overflow. Start the engine and rev it up a couple times. If that coolant moves up you know you have combustion leak. This is a quick and easy test often overlooked. Too simple I guess. Of course if you run it for more than a half minute or so the coolant will start to rise from normal heat. Now, I will add. New sleeves are really bad now days for having too much flange height and then the gasket won't seal on those engines. A cylinder leakage test is a better test but requires a lot more work and some equipment.

Northvale PA · Dec 4, 2017

My JD 2010 was overflowing out of the radiator too. Turned out the water pump bearing was going bad. Very small leak that actually evaporated against the hot engine but must have also allowed air into the radiator at higher rpms. Eventually the water pump shaft bearing went out all the way. That's how I knew it was bad. Since replaced, no overflow.

Radiator issue

Jay Liedman

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Steve@Advance

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jm.

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Billy Shafer

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Loren in Iowa

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Jay Liedman

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Steve@Advance

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Bob Harvey

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pete 23

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Northvale PA

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