i hope you guys arent getting sick of me . i have a 61 f85. the new one today is my radiator foaming? i just did the thermostat a couple days ago ,i have checked it ,it seems to be working .this morning i was testing to see if the water pump is working.after letting it run for a half hour. i am very confused considering the antifreeze didnt start to move but it started to foam? what would be causing this? or is this just a clear sighn the pumps junk?

thanks
jimbo

p.s by the way guys ,im 20.iv ben working with 4x4 trucks and what not since i could hold a wrench.this is my first ''CAR''/ restore project.bayer with me.

 

What condition is the radiator in? I had a similar problem in a 1973 Grand Prix; the radiator was shot. It was clogged and could not be rodded out. I also had nearly instant overheating at highway speeds. A new radiator solved both problems.

Head gasket issues and water pump also come to mind. Time for a compression test.

 

And how much foam?
Did you do a chemical clean or flush (like with prestone)? If all those chemicals are not removed, they will foam.
Do you know if the engine got to the thermostat temperature and opened? If not there will be no flow until the stat starts to open..

 

First, realize that this system does not have an overflow tank so the radiator is designed for the coolant level (when cold) to be a couple of inches below the fill neck. Second, I'd have a leakdown test done, as the foam may be due to a bad head gasket or crack.

 

i think the radiators highly clogged .i cleaned marble size wads of i dont kno wat out of the water pump,intake werever i could fit my closehanger(get your mind out of the gutter). i flushed it again a second time and it seems to be actually flowing today.overheats when its sitting tho.something i keep noticing is shards of metal in the fluid?what could this be?

thanks
jim

 

Was the engine rebuilt? That would explain some metal shavings...
The globs of crap would have me concerned.
Did you pull the block drain plugs when you flushed it? There may be one on both sides above the oil pan. Not sure if they are on your year engine though.

 

The crap you referred to may be clogging your thermostat. It might be wise to remove inspect and re-install. That could possibly be your overheat issue. If not you may have a head gasket leaking.

 

Also next time you run the engine,after you shut it off pull the dip stick and look for foam on it.This is a good sign of a blown head gasket or cracked head or block.
Good luck railguy

 

Silvery gunky crap sounds like that silver "leak-stop" powder.
The right amount at the right time can be helpful.
Too much can clog your whole cooling system.

I agree - pull every plug you can get to, hose it out, and poke around. If you found solid or thick gunk where you could reach it, it's probably other places, too.

As Rob said, don't expect any flow through the radiator if it's not fully warmed up - the top hose should be hot enough to burn you if you grab it hard, and should be hard from the pressure inside (so long as you've got no leaks).

- Eric