Hey guys. I recently bought a 61 econoline pickup. The truck has been well maintained and doesn't have any issues that I've noticed so far. I've only been driving the truck for about a week though. Yesterday I took the truck out for a nice long drive, about an hour and the longest I've driven it since I've had it. over the weekend I check all the fluids and everything was level. I opened the radiator cap and couldn't see much fluid in there. I didn't put any in at the time because I hadn't planned on driving it, and wanted to check and see if there was a certain type of coolant to be used in this truck. So, after getting home yesterday I turned the truck off and heard a pop and hissing sound, there was a small amount of white smoke that came from the front grill, and a small amount of radiator fluid dripping from the bottom of the truck. I've been looking around for the problem, and based on the symptoms I don't think it's a blown head gasket or anything that serious, I think the coolant is just very low and possibly there is a puncture hole in either the radiator itself, or one of the lines. Has anyone had this problem before? I am certainly going to fill the fluid up today. Since I can't seem to find a gauge or eye level for the fluid, should I fill it until it is close to full, or fill it just to the point I can see it in the radiator? What is a good rule of thumb for the amount?

 

Welcome to FordForum..

Post a pic of your truck if you get a chance, love the old Ford iron..

Normal practice is to leave the fluid level down an inch or so to allow for thermal expansion so the radiator doesn't push fluid out of the overflow. If you heard a pop and saw coolant/ steam through the grille, most times its a pin hole in the radiator or a tank seam split, but the system should be pressure tested or visually checked to be sure. You might just refill the coolant (even just water) and let it idle to heat up, then shut it down. The pressure in the system will rise before it cools down and usually thats when a leak will present itself.

A radiator shop may pressure test it for you (in or out of the vehicle) at no cost, if they think they will get the repair work.

 

Thanks a lot! I did what you suggested. I'll see how it is driving home. The truck was garaged for about a year before I picked it up and I just think the coolant was low. My fault for not assuring it was at the right level. I did notice when it was running that the lower hose on the radiator looked cracked and was leaking. It's right above where the dripping is, and i think this might be the culprit. Hopefully it's just a hole in that hose and I can replace it. Here is a picture I snapped of it the day I brought it home. I can upload some close ups if anyone wants to see more of her.

 

That is one cool truck. A real collector's item.
Just a thought, might consider replacing all the hoses. Don't know long they have been on there. Every time I look at a "cab over" type my first thought is the cab tilts up.
Boy, wouldn't that be nice if it did? Must be fun to drive .

 

Yea, I plan on doing a little resto to the engine components. It runs well, but could use some new hoses and such. It is a lot of fun, it gets a ton of looks, I think I've spotted at least 5 cars in the week that I've had it driving along side my, trying to snap a cell phone picture. That would be great if that cab lifted! Even changing the oil in this thing is not easy to do. It's pretty cramped in that cab when you're trying to fiddle with all the moving parts!

 

With the doghouse removed they weren't too bad to work on.
They were a piece of cake to work on compared to today's vehicles.