New Radiator question

[Farmall918]

Do I need to install a thermostat in my in my cub it has a c-60 engine I’m installing a new radiator today if so what temp thermostat should I get

[Bill V in Md]

Cub radiators do not use a thermostat to regulate temperature. As the water/coolant heats up, it expands and starts circulating. There is an overflow tube in the filler neck at the top in the event the water level becomes too high. Make sure you do not overfill the radiator...…...only need to cover the fins with the coolant. Should be able to just barely see the coolant level through the filler neck.

[Landreo]

The cub owners manual gives guidance as to the height of the coolant, should be 2 inches below the filler neck. For a thermosyphon system to work all parts have to be under water or coolant. Filling only to cover the fins is not enough and the system will not thermosyphon. It will, instead, function as a Mr. Coffee style cooling system with a slug of coolant being pushed around by steam from an overheated part of the engine. The bottom of the radiator inlet tube or pipe is tapered and if the coolant is 2 inches below the filler neck then that tapered part of the inlet tube will be under the level of the coolant. The owners manual has a good drawing to explain why that level is important.

[w30bob]

Farmall918,

Every Spring I top off the radiator with 50/50, fire her up and let it run, and put a catch can under the bolster. In 20 minutes or so she'll set her coolant level all by herself. Not much evaporates each year, but better safe than sorry.

Regards,
Bob

[Bill V in Md]

Bob, have you ever removed the radiator cap to observe the level of coolant afterwards? I realize every tractor is unique and coolant levels may vary, but I am curious what you see.

[w30bob]

Hi Bill,

Sorry for the late response.........I honestly never took notice of the "Notifications" at the top of the page.........I always thought those were just acknowledgments that I posted something. Then it started blinking red last night and I clicked on it. I've got 30 notifications!!! You're on top of the list......so here's your answer.

I don't see anything. Meaning when you look in the filler hole you see the top of the inlet tube. There's no coolant to be seen when she's cooled down. Looking to the sides of the tube it's hard to determine how far down the level really is, but I'd guess it's about a quarter inch below the top of the tube. I usually check it every Spring, but if I'm mowing tall grass in the hot summer heat I always put a bit of coolant in her before we start mowing just to be safe. I've always wondered what the coolant temp really was on those hot days, as I'm not a big fan of the "Thermo-Siphon" system of moving coolant around. Obviously it works.....but it's probably on the hairy edge, so to speak. Again, sorry for the late response........I'll pay more attention now.

regards,
bob