temperature control on 1952 60

[620rookie]

I tried to check my coolant in my 60 last week, and found the level so low I couldn't draw any up in the tester. I deduced that the plug
was leaking, had not been evident parked on the gravel in my shed. So I drained out what remained of the coolant and flushed with a few
gallons of water, teflon taped the plug and put the 6 gallons of coolant I had caught back in. It appeared to be in good condition. It
came in the tractor when I bought it 2 years back. Now I've read someone's post here a while back that included a chart demonstrating
that you pick up a hp or two if you can maintain a working temp of about 195. I've only been able to achieve this in cool weather by
strapping a feed sack across the grille. My coolant tested good to -35F, which is way lower than we experience here in western NC. I want
to add more coolant, but also want to be able to get the operating temp higher. I don't understand how to adjust the shutters over the
radiator. Is that what I should be doing? And what mix should I use for the coolant to top off? Thanks for your advice.

 

[D-]

Mix anti-freeze 50/50 or buy premixed.
If you have shutters close them when it's cold
and open them as the engine temperature rises.
Same way a thermostat works. Starts out cold and
opens as coolant heats up.

 

[Bob Harvey]

I have a '53 and it has a thermostat (Sylphon) in the bottom of the rad and linkage to the shutters. The 'T' stat is NOS (long story) and I adjusted it as per service manual. Without working it hard it is next to impossible to get it up to temp. HTH

 

[620rookie]

The hardest mine works is at tractor pulls. I can hook in six classes, and unless I restrict the grill till it gets to around 190, the needle hardly moves. I did drive up a pretty steep 2 mile mountain road and got it over 200 once, but then I found the coolant was 4 gallons short.

 

[fastfarmall]

50/50 mix, only if u have good water, or buy some distilled water, or premixed