52 8n overheating

[SAshby]

I am having trouble keeping coolant in my 52 8n sidemount. under normal driving it seems not to be a problem but under a load I can see the coolant coming out the overflow tube. I understand some might come out but I can fill it and then it will boil about half of the coolant out. Do I need a new radiator cap? Any suggestions?

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Check out tip # 24 at the link.
75 Tips

 

[SAshby]

Bruce - my 8n does not have a thermostat. do you have any pics to show how to instal one?

 

[Bruce (VA)]

No pictures needed. Just get the hose off of the head & slide the t-stat into it. Put a zip-tie between the t-stat & the radiator to keep the t-stat from migrating toward the radiator.
75 Tips

 

[JoeN'Mo]

Pointy end goes toward radiator.

Joe

 

[Dean]

Do not espect to keep the coolant level near full. The coolant expands as it warms and excess will be forced out the overflow.

Acceptable level when cold is 1" - 2" above the level of the core.

Dean

 

[SAshby]

Do I have to get one specifically for an 8n or can I go to NAPA and get one?

 

[Tom Bowman]

Sashby, I needed a thermostat for a Ferguson TO-20, which uses the same "stat as an 8N, and neither a local O"Reilly"s, nor my preferred "real" local auto parts shop had one. (And I"m in a rural area, with lots of small tractors.)

NAPA may have them (I"m not close to a NAPA), but I ended up ordering one from this site. (Other websites have them, as well.)

FYI: be prepared to spend 2-3 times what you would spend on a more common, "normal" thermostat, wherever you get it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Most common problem with tractor overheating is dirt, dust, weed seeds, etc. in the air side of the radiator. you can"t see the problem unless you shine a light through from on side and look into the other side of the radiator fins. Get an air hose with a cleaning jet attached and blow the plugging material out of the spaces between the water tubes and the air fins.

 

[GEO/2/8NS/now 3]

in regards to overheat you must have A fan shourd on rad,also may want to put A six blade fan on if it does not have one on it.The 8N that I have from Wisconsin has A four blade,but the two I have from south Tex,south of SanAntonio have six blade fans on them.should not have A problem getting the problem solved with all the good help on this site,post back with the resolve of this problem George

 

[notjustair]

Are you sure it is getting hot? Last one we had that acted like that needed a head gasket. Ran like a champ but puked water out under load. Is the radiator getting dirty inside?

 

[SAshby]

The radiator does have a shroud and the fins are clean. I have seen that the water is very rust colored, so i have flushed the water radiator several times. This 8n set for a couple of years before my father-out-law and I got it. but we have it running fair now and just need to do a few minor things to it before we start restoring. We used it last year for a small garden and some yard work and she did good.

 

[Indiana Ken]

(quoted from post at 09:40:07 03/25/13) I am having trouble keeping coolant in my 52 8n sidemount. under normal driving it seems not to be a problem but under a load I can see the coolant coming out the overflow tube. I understand some might come out but I can fill it and then it will boil about half of the coolant out. Do I need a new radiator cap? Any suggestions?

As others have replied water coming out of the overflow tube does not indicate overheating as much as overfilling. The coolant level on my 8N runs approximately 2" below the top of the radiator - this space is needed for expansion. Topping off the radiator above this level simply results in the excess coolant being spit out of the overflow tube.

My 8N runs a 4 blade fan, no thermostat, a 50/50 antifreeze water mix - it does not have over heating problems. However, it will spit excess coolant out of the over flow tube until until the expansion volume requirement is satisfied. I have over heated an 8N (as a kid plowing); the coolant and steam spilled out over the hood rather than out the overflow tube.