Blocked Radiator Overflow Tube

[Jake0147]

I searched all over and found others with this issue, but no good solutions besides carrying the radiator to a shop, or cutting the tube and using hose and/or a new tube. It was bad enough that I couldn't push through with a coat hanger wire, and obviously when the coat hanger doesn't work, it only makes it worse. Here is my solution. An oil pressure gauge re-installation kit. I worked it in from the bottom, and of course I plugged the lower section of the radiator filler hole with a Capplug, although if I didn't have one to fit, I could have stuffed a rag in just as well. It took about five minutes to clear it. After that, I ran plain water down the tube to re-wet the dried up "pluggings", then snaked the hose down from the top without air, and applied air as I slowly removed it. This step was very successful in blowing out a very large amount of additional trash. Pouring water in the (plugged) filler now results in a substantial flow through the tube, so I believe the whole length to be fully opened at ths point. Far from a perfect solution, but it did work, maybe it'll help someone out.

 

[acetomatoco]

you dun good... On some of my deuces the tube breaks off the soldering job (MF vibration)at the filler tube and I sweat in a barb and run rubber down the original route. I remember about 20 years ago, I bought a whole radiator shop at Fort Devens in 10 big crates and sold it to a truck radiator shop in Rhode Island...made a whole $1000 on a $30000 unit. Ah, the good old days before GL.

 

[Jake0147]

I bought a lawn tractor for fifty bucks in February because I thought I could use the mower deck. Turns out I couldn't, so I sold the whole thing for thirty bucks. This is why I work for somebody else.

Ifthe tube were already broken, I wouldn't think twice.