ford 8n

[Matt Giachello]

I have been having a problem with oil getting in my radiator. i have talked to a few people and got a few possible answers but nothing for sure, could someone help me with this please.

 

[souNdguy]

If it's for SURE really OIL then you likely have a cracked block.

if it's an oily film, or emulsified gunk.. then it could simply be a blown head gasket letting combustion byproducts get into the coolant.. these will make a chocklate milkshake looking evvect on the top of the water.

are you getting water in the oil?

head gasket is a 20$ deal.. and if you want to take yer time with it.. you don't even HAVE to pull the gas tank.. just got to be patient with it..

soundguy

 

[Bruce (VA)]

While water in the oil is always a problem, oil in an N radiator is not usually a problem.

Anti-freeze has water pump lubricant in it. That's oil. Because it's a flathead, no oil lines are above the head gasket. But, you could have a slight leak in the head gasket which will produce a sheen on the coolant thanks to combustion gases.

Any performance problems?
50 Tips

 

[HCooke]

Probably not oil but combustion byproducts from a leaky head gasket. A compression test will help your diagnosis.

 

[HCooke]

Hopefully he has head bolts; if studs, would be difficult to get the head off with the hood and tank in the way.

 

[souNdguy]

I would hope he has bolts too on that 8n.

soundguy

 

[Matt Giachello]

no performance problems at all. it runs great. There is more than just a sheen of oil though. it is real thick and milky.

 

[Matt Giachello]

ya it is for sure oil real thick and milky but not in the whole radiator just a portion.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Any water in the oil pan?

 

[Matt Giachello]

No there is no water in the oil it is good. Thats whats puzziling me.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Sometimes (but not always) a compression check will show a leaky head gasket. Usually the cylinder(s) w/ the leak will have 'steamed cleaned' spark plugs.

A leak down test will pretty much nail it down.

Check the plugs.

If the plugs look ok, I'd drain & flush it & see what happens.

 

[DON TX]

Explain what you mean by "portion" of the radiator. Has there been stop leak put in?
DON TX

 

[souNdguy]

while it could be oil.. what you describe are the CLASSIC symptoms of leaky head gasket.

a comp test will help diagnose this.

soundguy

 

[Ultradog MN]

I'm with HCooke. Do a compression test.
Remember that this is a flat head. There is no oil in the head.

 

[fourthgenerationowner]

Matt, your symptoms are the EXACT same symptoms I had with my 8N before rebuilding. There was about a half inch to inch of oil in the top of the radiator. I drained it and flushed and it showed up again. There never was water in the oil either. I ended up having two cracks in cylinder two.

 

[Matt Giachello]

I was afraid of hearing that! Yep that sounds about like mine. I possibly might have a crack in the sleeve of #2 but that also must mean the block is cracked to right?

 

[Matt Giachello]

I was looking at the rebuild kits on this web site and they seemed pretty good, just not sure what size sleeves i need to get the .040 or the .090 maybe you can help me with this too it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fourthgenerationowner]

The sleeve wasn't cracked but the block was. It would be wise for you to do what the other guys suggested with the compression test and check the head first to rule out a head gasket issue. (Less expensive of course).

 

[Matt Giachello]

Ok but since i've got it torn down and pistons out should I take the sleeves out and check the block or put it back together and then do the compression test?