Over heating Situation

[Paul L.]

I suddenly have a situation where my '52 8N is overheating. After mowing for about 30 minutes, the radiator cap starts steaming and the fuel tank sounds to be boiling. I have had the tractor for over 20 years, and never had this issue until now. There is no thermostat either at this point. Honestly, I am not sure where to start looking for the issue.

Is this a case of the Water Pump needing to be replaced? I have never replaced it and have no idea prior to me owning the tractor if/when the water pump was replaced. Are there other things I should look at?

Thanks!

Paul
Michigan

 

[old]

Are the fins of the radiator clogged up with dirt, leaves, etc?? You need to blow or wash the fins out every once in a while or it can/will over heat. Or you need to flush the system out due to rust and lime build up. One or both can cause the problem

 

[R Geiger]

The only time 52 overheated was when the fan belt was a bit loose.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

See tip # 24.

If you have never drained and flushed the cooling system in 20 years, it sounds like it's time.

Install a t-stat. And use 50/50 conventional green anti-freeze and a 4 psi cap.
75 Tips

 

[jimtrs]

(quoted from post at 13:59:32 06/24/22) Honestly, I am not sure where to start looking for the issue

Start with the basics. Is your coolant level low? If so, top it off and keep an eye on it.

As old said, clean out your radiator fins. They do clog up over time from pulling (or pushing) all the air and dirt through, especially when used for mowing. Often, you can't see that's it clogged till you start blowing it out. Blow through in the opposite direction the fan moves air.

Is this a case of the Water Pump needing to be replaced?

No idea, can't tell from here. Is the shaft loose? Does the fan wobble? Is it leaking at the pump?

 

[Den N Ms]

Paul L.,Flush and clean the radiator core with a hose nozzle washing out from the back side. Drain and flush out the radiator and back flush the block till clean.Install a thermostat in the upper hose the proper direction.I'll say that 50% or more 12 volt conversions have the wrong 1/2"wide fan belt on the alternator.The alternator should have a 5/8" wide pulley and a 5/8" belt on them as the narrow 1/2" belt will slip on the fan/water pump pulley causing the engine to over heat.Also the belt needs to have proper tightness to prevent slippage of the water pump/fan.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

You will want to tackle this issue ASAP before its too late and you end up with your fan zooming into your radiator and creating a more expensive and time consuming
project. If you can grab your belt and pulley easily, the pump bearing is probably shot. Overheating can be caused by a few things - over or under filling coolant;
incorrect fan belt tension; lack of a thermostat or installed backwards; radiator fins plugged with chaf; and more.
Oh, and, NO, you dont need to add a TEMPERATURE GAUGE, but its your tractor and your time and money. FORD had a temperature gauge on the NAN models only as they
determined the kerosene burners ran hotter. See MPC scan of 39-47 dash with port on dash at the 5 O'Clock position to the oil gauge, only on NAN models. The 6050
Cylinder Head was revamped to have an additional cast boss for an NPT plug for a sensor line to the gauge. The boss was cast on the LH side of cylinder head near the
oil filter mount and in between the 1st and 2nd head studs. At mid 8N production, Ford was going to add a TEMP Gauge permanently to the standard model but decided
against it at the last minute.
The Thermostat is located in the upper radiator hose with the newer style pointed end facing towards the radiator but nearest the engine. The OEM T-Stat was
rectangular with no pointed end and had a band to maintain that effective location was kept set to keep the thermostat from creeping up the to the radiator inlet port.
Some fellas make their own hoses and opt to use a plastic wire tie or an additional hose clamp but Denny Carpenter now makes an OEM style hose with the band included.
Do as others said flushing, PM, and if needed, spring for a new water pump. Also get a new T-Stat, new hoses, new clamps and fresh coolant. Be sure you drain old
before you start.

COOLING -
FORD N-SERIES TRACTOR ORIGINAL 160F THERMSOSTAT & HOSE w/BAND:

MODERN BAND ALTERNATIVE HOSE CLAMP OR WIRE TIE:

8N-6050-C HEAD w/TEMP SENSOR BOSS:

FORD TRACTOR 29-47 DASH PANEL w/TEMP GAUGE PORT:

FORD TRACTOR COOLING SYSTEM INFO:

Bruce Haynes wrote a good article on the N Cooling System in the N-News in the JAN 2020 issue:
THE N-NEWS; KEEPING IT COOL by BRUCE HAYNES

The N-NEWS is published quarterly and subscriptions can be found at www.n-news.com
or by mail at:

THE N-NEWS
9N-2N-8N-NAA NEWSLETTER
PO BOX 275
EAST CORINTH, VT 05040-0275

Tim Daley(MI)



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