Super A gasket leak

[easydog]

I took a couple pictures that I'll post below. I could not see any cracks in the block after I cleaned it off really good. I think the leak is just coming from upper gasket, but I'm not totally sure. I'm a serious noob when it comes to working on engines. What am I in for here?

[Bob McCarty]

Does it look/smell like coolant or oil? If coolant, have you recently filled the radiator (possibly too full)?

Bob

[easydog]

The fluid feels kind of oily, but it has a greenish tint like the antifreeze where there is a drip. The engine still has a lot of oil on it so maybe it just feels oily because of the residue there. I knew I had a little leak from the hose that connects the top of the radiator to the top of the engine. I tried to tighten the circle clamps around it as much as I could, but it's obviously still leaking. I checked the radiator and the fluid level does seem a little lower than it did a couple weeks ago. I hope it's just that hose. What's the best way to fix that leak? If I can't tighten the clamps enough to make it stop leaking, do I need to replace the hose? Any advice would be welcome.

[Bob McCarty]

Easydog, I only have Cubs, so can't comment on how to do it. I'm sure someone will chime in shortly.

Bob

[artc]

that leak is pretty clearly coming from the upper hose. antifreeze tastes sweet, the old timers would touch their finger to the tip of their tongue to test it.

you remove the hood and front grill, disconnect the top radiator support from the radiator so the radiator can rotate forward a little to install the new hose. you might have to loosen the two bottom radiator nuts. lube the hose with a little grease - it helps slip it on. i would replace the lower one at the same time.

NAPA can supply the hose...i can't remember the size

[Dale Finch]

Since it has been leaking for a while, you will probably need to remove some heavy corrosion from the water inlet, so the new hose goes on more easily and seals better.

[staninlowerAL]

Since it has been leaking for a while, you will probably need to remove some heavy corrosion from the water inlet, so the new hose goes on more easily and seals better.

Sometimes it helps to double up on the hose clamps. If the metal is badly pitted, clean everything up really good and fill the voids with JB WELD or similar product and file/sand smooth and round before installing the new hoses and clamps.

[artc]

both the above are good thoughts, removing the water inlet from the head actually makes the job easier to install the hose, and you'll need to do that to clean it up and JB weld it.

[havoc1482]

Go to a hardware store and look in the plumbing section for flexible hose couplings like this:




Make sure you get the proper size. I used them on my Super A and they work great. Put them on months ago and still no leaks.

[easydog]

Thanks for all the help. I went to Napa for the hose and just finished installing both the top and bottom hoses with new clamps. I flushed both the radiator and engine with water until it ran clear first. Ran the old girl for 15 minutes with no leaks. I filled the radiator with plain water to test it. Should I drain some and put in some antifreeze at some point? If so, any special type? Again, thanks to all for the advice.

[Eugene]

I filled the radiator with plain water to test it. Should I drain some and put in some antifreeze at some point? If so, any special type?

Drain the entire cooling system and the refill with 50/50 antifreeze and water. Type of antifreeze, what ever the auto parts store sells.

Do not buy the premixed antifreeze, mix the stuff yourself and save a lot.

I have several jugs of 50/50 mix stored on the shop shelf. If I need to top off a tractor, the mix is correct and ready to go.

[easydog]

Is there a drain plug or do I take off the bottom hose? What's the capacity?

[Daniel H.]

The is a drain in the lower casting between the block and the radiator. I don't recall the capacity off the top of my head, but do not fill it much above the tubes in the radiator, it will just push any more out the overflow when warm.