Super C radiator/hose/cap leaking

[mountain4don]

I have a 1954 Farmall Super C, and I have a leak somewhere on the top of the radiator I think. When I run it I don't see anything leaking. But after parking it for awhile I see water dripping out on the left, front tire and onto the ground. With a flashlight I can look behind the radiator and see it covered with green corrosion or the remains of the green antifreeze all the way to the top, maybe even to the radiator cap. Whats the best way to find a leak on one of these tractors?

 

[gene bender]

Are you sure the coolant is not coming from the overflow as the coolant does expand when warm and have you been "topping" the radiator with coolant from time to time.

 

[Janicholson]

The coolant should be about 1/2" to an inch above the core when looking in the fill hole. Gene is in the right direction. If not, use a good light and watch for the leak. If it is a big cap that looks like the fuel cap, it is non pressurized, and can leak some if over filled. Jim

 

[1946 BN IHC]

What about doing a pressure test when the coolant is cold? might that show if the rad has a small leek in it near the top or the hose is not tight? Just a thought to add to the selection.

 

[jhncp]

The first thing to do would be to take the radiater cap off and look at it. If it looks proper you might have to remove grill to see where it's coming from.

 

[C.Amick]

You don't have a pressure cap on it, right? This is a non-pressurized system. You can't put much air pressure on the radiator even to test it.

 

[mountain4don]

So, how might I do a pressure test? I do have a compressor. Unfortunately the brass tube part on the overflow of the radiator neck that holds the pressure cap is broken off at the radiator. And I have no idea how to fix that either.

 

[mountain4don]

After I run the tractor, and come back in a few days, the water level is down below the top of the tubes in the radiator. And if it sits for a few weeks, sometimes I have to put almost two gallons of antifreeze in it.

 

[mountain4don]

The pressure cap on the tractor I think is the same one that was on it when I was a kid (1960's?). It has the bar sticking out of the back of it to turn it on with. And looks as old as the tractor.

 

[C.Amick]

As long as there is no spring loaded seal on it you have the right one.

 

[Farmallhal]

I have a 1953 Super C (s/n 180xxx) along with every IH publication for a Super C tractor. Unless someone has grossly reconfigured it over the years you have a 4 pound psi pressurized cooling system (meaning radiator and cap) on your tractor should be for a pressurized system. The correct cap for a pressurized system is the one with a spring on the lower end which seals on the top interior surface of the radiator an inch or so below the top of the filler neck and below the overflow drain opening in the neck. The correct part numbers for your tractor for the radiator is either 356356R9x or 358421R9x and the cap 356710R91. (Note - the "x" shown in the suffix of the radiator part no. is due to the way IH superseded replaceable parts which were compatible to the older or obsolete earlier ones, i.e. it could be R91, R92, R93, etc. depending on the later part number actually used).
For your loss of cooling fluid you only have few places it can be going - into the crankcase and mixing with engine oil, into the combustion chamber and exiting through the exhaust or on the ground below the tractor. The only one which fits with having to put as much as two gallons in the radiator after it is unused for a period of time is basically on the ground. I would suggest you get a large piece of cardboard which fits under the tractor below any place it could possibly be leaking and check it a couple times everyday until you are convinced where it is coming from. This might take a couple of weeks or more and be more then a single area as the level in the radiator lowers but initially will probably be in the higher obvious location you have already located.
I have restored both a 1953 Super C and a 1958 Farmall 240 and both had leaky radiators when I started and both were repaired by a local radiator shop and haven't leaked since. From comments of various threads on this forum you are far better off repairing an original IH radiator as they are generally very repairable unlike what is currently being produced and you also get away from the fitting issues most folks have to endure. HTH and good luck finding and resolving your coolant issue and as always we are glad to see closure when you have found the culprit, Hal.