Cooling system

[Newbe 1936 BR]

Looking for help on a 1936 BR I inherited from the dad. This tractor has sat for 6 years without being run. Prior to that he ran it a few times a year. The top radiator hose is warm to the touch the bottom one is cold so something is not circulating. I was told they don't have a water pump. Before I start tearing into it just wanted to get some thoughs. IE radiator shot (which actually looks good) pluged some place, etc. Thanks.

 

[old]

Themosiphine (sp) is what they have and yes it could well do as you said if your only letting it sit and idle and not do any work or you have not run it very long. The 1935 JD-B I now own it was my grandfathers does that. To be 100% sure you take the radiator cap off and then check water/coolant temp at the top and if it is below boiling point your just fine to run it

 

[LarrySTN]

The cooling system is doing what it is supposed to do. Warm water rises and cold water falls in the system. The warm water rises to the top of the radiator, the radiator cools the water causing it to fall. The bottom tube should always be much cooler than the top tube. John Deere used thermosyphon cooling into the 50's

 

[hadley]

On the MT we have I was having the same issues/concerns. Guys told me it would never warm up that much on the bottom. Had it out plowing a couple times and the temperature will go up to 210 and stay there all day and the bottom hose would be cool enough you could hold your hand on it with no problems.

 

[old]

Yep and that is the way it should be. My JD-B will run on most any thing that will burn once it is good and warm and blows nice big smoke rings if you are running it on a mix of diesel and gas

 

[BushogPapa]

About all you need to keep an eye on is the water level in the radiator...
I do not like to fill it too full...I want the Hot coolant from the engine to need to rise a good 1/2", before it goes over the top and into the radiator core..
That works good, if you don't have Shutters, to keep the water temp up..
With shutters, you can fill it higher and close the shutters most of the time..
Ron..

 

[Ken11487]

My 36A came with the red permanent antifreeze like some of the semi trucks have in it. When the weather got warm it would heat up doing nothing. Finally took it out and filled with water and it runs great. I think the red stuff just won't boil and move like water at the temps required.

 

[gtx1967jewison]

Since you don't understand how it functions, the LAST thing you should do is "tear into it". Its fine, let it be.