[AJD] Fw: Re: GP cooling system

[Ronald L. Cook]

The GP is a different animal.  I think your drain is in the block on the 
B.  Drains the whole thing, radiator and all.  At least it does my A. 
Everytime you shut down in the freezing temps before the use of anti-freeze.

Ron Cook

Michael Scholl wrote:
> On my '35 B, when I pulled the radiator last fall, there was still a
> considerable amount of coolant in the lower pipe, head, and engine block
> that drained out after I removed the lower pipe.  In my case, the coolant
> was ethylene-glycol, so freeze damage wasn't an issue.
> 
> I can state as a matter-of-fact that the Unstyled B does NOT drain
> completely if just the radiator is drained (not that there is an easy way to
> drain just the radiator short of removing the front lower hose). 
> 
> Since the lower coolant pipe attaches at the very bottom center of the
> radiator and continues at a downward angle to its attachment point at the
> lower center front of head, I have to disagree with your statement that "
> Most tractors of old were designed to Drain completely;" remember that there
> were nearly 60,000 Unstyled B's built, I hardly think that 60,000 is an
> insignificant number. 
> 
> BTW, My B has a 3/4" drain plug at the low centerpoint of the head.
> Draining from here would definitely safely drain (at least to greater than
> 99% of) the cooling system. 
> 
> Cheers,
> Mike ;)
>   
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of
> Richard D Lotze
> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 5:02 PM
> To: antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com
> Subject: [AJD] Fw: Re: GP cooling system
> 
> Mike
> Most tractors of old were designed to Drain completely; Since the early
> ones were "Gravity Circulate". However cars on the other hand, many did
> not drain well.
> As for the 49 Mercury (I had one) with the twin water pumps, it did Not
> drain completely at the radiator.
> Dick
> 
> Not that I've ever seen it on a JD, but I would expect that there was a
> risk
> of cracking the engine block if straight water was used and just drained
> from the radiator.  
> 
> A friend had it happen on a '49 Merc.
> Mike
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
> [mailto:antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of
> jdgp1931 at chartermi.net
> Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 10:21 AM
> To: Antique John Deere mailing list
> Subject: Re: [AJD] GP cooling system
> 
> I remember when I was real young my dad used a corn cob on our GP. That
> was 
> in the winter. In those days he never ran anti freeze. After each use 
> (mostly to spread manure) he drained the radiator and next time he used
> the 
> tractor would fill it with fresh water. I  the summer he fashioned a
> wooden 
> plug.
> Charlie
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Ostrander" <antiquejd at fwi.com>
> To: "'Antique John Deere mailing list'" 
> <antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 11:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [AJD] GP cooling system
> 
> 
>> Kreig-
>> Saw one with a farmer/fisherman fix.  They took the rubber plug out of
> the
>> back of a rowboat and used that instead of the real pipe plug.  Sure
> must
>> have made things easy to open and close.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>> [mailto:antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf
> Of
>> kreig
>> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 9:01 PM
>> To: Antique John Deere mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [AJD] GP cooling system
>>
>>
>> Thanks Michael
>>
>> Sad to say the GP sat out all winter, just no room anywhere for cover.
>> Started it up yesterday and ran very poorly.  cleaned the sparkplugs,
> new
>> gas, and still not runnign well, seemed like it was starving for gas
>> sometimes.  Bowl and filter clean.  Then it seemed to be running "hot"
> so
>> shut it down and checked the radiator, DRY!!!!!!!   So much for my
>> springtime starting routine!!!!!  I dont think there were ever any
> leaks 
>> in
>> the system and trying to think when I checked it last season.
>>
>> So tomorrow i will fill with mixed antifreeze and run it up again.
>>
>> I was not even thinking about touching that front drain plug, looks
> like a
>> BIG problem if ever loosened up.
>>
>> Kreig
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Michael Ostrander" <antiquejd at fwi.com>
>> To: "'Antique John Deere mailing list'"
>> <antique-johndeere at lists.antique-tractor.com>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 5:24 PM
>> Subject: Re: [AJD] GP cooling system
>>
>>
>>> Good Evening Kreig-
>>> The plug that you mention on the front of the bottom tank of the
> radiator
>>> is
>>> indeed where it should drain from.  They are often rusted badly and
> leak.
>>> I
>>> have had several drilled out and weld in a pipe coupling so I can put
> the
>>> pipe plug back in.  If you don't want to mess with the plug, you can
> also
>>> loosen the hose clamps on the rubber hose that connects the radiator
> to
>>> the
>>> bottom of the head.  A little twist on the hose and generally the
> water
>>> will
>>> come out slowly or if you twist enough that you create an opening, it 
>>> will
>>> empty rather quickly.  I cant say I have paid much attention to the
>>> capacity
>>> of the cooling system.  I keep mixed antifreeze around to fill
> tractors
>>> and
>>> just use what I need.  Hope this helps, good luck.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
>>> [mailto:antique-johndeere-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf
> Of
>>> kreig
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 6:58 PM
>>> To: Antique John Deere mailing list
>>> Subject: [AJD] GP cooling system
>>>
>>>
>>> I have owners/operator manual for 1930 GP.
>>>
>>> Cant find any mention of the size of the cooling system.
>>>
>>> Also where is the plug for draining?  I see one plug centered on the 
>>> front
>>> side of the radiator and not sure if it would ever actually open.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any responses.
>>>
>>> Kreig