Thanks. Still have the collapsing lower rad hose issue! I put two jugs of vinegar and the rest water in my cooling system because the rad rows in the core are full of rust deposits/ chunks/ flakes. Radiator is probably getting pretty clogged . Anyone know how long I can leave the vinegar in there before it starts to damage things ? Main concern was head gasket.
Great work - for the vinegar, I would say a day but that is a uneducated guess. really like the front bumper nice lines
Have you reverse flushed the radiator, by simply removing it once the vinegar solution is dispensed with and running a water hose into the bottom of the rad, (prop the rad upside down) this is the opposite direction to the normal flow and will usually clean out all sorts of loose debris, you may also like to neutralise the vinegar with a solution of baking soda and water, prior to rinsing through with a hose.
Well I left it in for appx 24 hrs.. Flushed it out, only a little brown. Used baking soda to neutralize. I'm getting the rad rebuilt because the core tubes are plugged bad with rust nuggets . I think that is the reason for the collapsed bottom hose.
Drove today on the highway for the first time w the new rad. Was running a cool 160, coming home I can watch the needle rise,170,200,210 in minutes. After 500 somethin dollars later for a radiator rebuild, & 3 row core, I'm back at square one. Rust nuggets in all the rows. I'm pissed . The deposists must have released after really warming up on the highway, because around town it ran at 130 .Does anyone know how to really clean this rust out?
I filled it up again w vinegar tonight, I will leave it in longer this time. I'm thinking I will have to pay a bunch more to have the rows cleared again, so I came up with an idea; a portion of both top and lower hoses will carry a fine mesh screen . You oughta see the chunks that come out of the rows with my magnet stick. I have no other options.
Or even netting, something strong that won't tear, I'll wrap it around the inlet and outlet on the rad. Then slide the hoses on over.
I knew a guy with a 223 in did 1956 f100. He chased an overheating problem for a for a year or two. He tried multiple radiators aluminum and brass. Only after installing a more modern engine did he realize that his temp gauge was not working correctly. I might start there.
Thanks for the interest. Not much update, I have a drop axle and plan on flipping the rear pretty soon . Other than that , just been driving the hell out of it daily.
I know I'm a little late on the overheating issue, if you haven't gotten all the rust cleared out the nylon trick does work. Cut the foot out of one nylon and slick it in the upper hose at the thermostat housing, fold the end over so that the clamp will hold it on. Drive it and make sure to clean it out frequently, like after every drive. Eventually you'll get all of the crap out.
The truck is lookin great man. I have used Gano filters in some of my cars and the work great (if you are still having that problem). Good luck with the truck!
Nice save! I've owned many of these over the years and never seen one with rot in the roof like that.
really curious as too what those metal brackets are? and too where did you find them? im starting roof rot soon on my 60' and need help!
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