Operating Temp on M John Deere

Poppin Joe · Apr 5, 2009

Anyone know what the normal operating temp would be on a 47 M John Deere?

John B. · Apr 5, 2009

Are you running pure antifreeze or the 50-50 premix??

On any old gas tractor or gas engine operating temp was around 160-180. Since so many old tractors didn't have a pressurized cooling system they would boil over quicker than the pressurized systems.

For every additional pound of pressure applied to the cooling system it will raise the the boiling point of the coolant 3 degrees.

Never run pure antifreeze in the cooling system either. It takes the water mixed with the antifreeze to dissapate the heat. Antifreeze absorbs the heat but can't desperse it. It takes the water to release the heat.

ricky c · Apr 5, 2009

we mixed our m with 60% water & 40% antifreeze. that would put the tempature to around 180. 50/50 or more makes it run 200 - 210.water syfones better than antifreeze.

p.s. be carefull in the winter. get a antifreeze tempature reader

buickanddeere · Apr 5, 2009

Does it have the coolant probe mounted in the early hot position close to the manifold? Or the later improved position?
180F is ok if working hard and 195F is ideal for gasoline. Allfuel should be 210F.
Try a candy thermometer in the top of the rad.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 5, 2009

Thanks fellows I thought it was around 200 but wasn't or sure.This is a tractor my Grandfather had,Just got it back after 18 yrs of being sold

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Apr 5, 2009

The M was John Deere"s first model of the Dubuque line and along with the rest of the letter series until late 1951(?) used the thermo-siphon cooling system with out a water pump. the "M" series of tractors always had a tendency to run some what hot. The temp gauge is in the top water pipe where the water is the hottest. A loose fan belt, plugged radiator fins or unmixed coolant will all contribute to this system running hot since it depends on the principle of hot water rising and cooler water sinking to the bottom. This is aided by a copper finned radiator core that transfers heat rapidly and if all is working right these tractors still ran on the upper end of the temp scale just before hot.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 6, 2009

I ask this same question years ago after getting my 48 JD M running. The best advice I rec'd was run 'er and if she isn't boiling don't worry about it. I thought this a rather callous approach but ultimately went with it. And, the tractor is still going after 17 years. As posted previously, the M has a thermo-siphon cooling system absent of a water pump. A good thing cuz less parts to wear out but I think John Deere was pushing technology a bit with the thermo-siphon system.
You will notice that it will run on the warm side when hot outside but well within range when cold outside. That said, it should never boil. If it does boil, you are working the tractor way too hard. Hope this helps and enjoy the sweet music the M makes. With some common sense, the tractor will last you a long time.

Operating Temp on M John Deere

Poppin Joe

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John B.

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ricky c

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buickanddeere

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Anonymous-0

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Gene Davis (Ga.)

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Anonymous-0

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