The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

We are in the USA, so buying from Agriline would involve some pretty serious shipping charges...

Need radiator, new filler neck, and should probably get a new cap, too.. while we are at it, for a 1954 Major Diesel

Had topped up the radiator couple of weeks ago.. I ran it some - maybe 5-6 hrs.. and then it sat most of last week as it was way too hot & humid for me to be out there doing much (health issues).

doing oil change today and decided to check coolant level while i was up there, and it was low again.. and looking the inside of the radiator over, there are a couple of spots that like kind of like they have leaked.. one spot has obvious fin damage.. cant really see the other side to well with grill and loader stuff in the way.
figuring at 66 yrs old, maybe it should just be replaced for optimum cooling - and be good for another 60+ yrs.

not to mention the filler neck has obviously been patched up more times than a 3yr olds favorite stuffed animal..

I would suggest to find a company that recores radiators. They can make it like new and deliver better quality than the after market suppliers.
I did ask a quote a few years back and it was about the same price as a new one.

Are you sure it all came out of the radiator? If not the radiator should be all right if you keep an eye on it. If you have the solid filler

there are no replacements available. A re-core would be better, you'll need 10 fins per inch.
Sandy

Thanks guys.. I will look into finding a place to re-core..

not sure where exactly the coolant went to, but I do know it was not in the oil pan.. which is a good thing, lol
the oil - aside from being blacker than night - was fine.. no signs of any contamination

We do have a new temp sensor/gauge coming for it, and will get that put in asap but yeah, the loss of coolant, where ever it is going, is concerning.
supposed to be rather wet most of the coming week, so she probably wont be seeing any run time again..

My radiator leaked in a lot of places. The local shop wanted 700 for a re core.
I did not check any other shops.
Purchased from Agriline for 120 plus 30 for shipping to the USA.
Can't say how quality is as I have not really worked it hard.
Also bought radiator for my 3600 and so far it's been fine with haying.

thanks for the info, leeroy.. looking at Agriline, they want over $400 for a new replacement, and from the looks of it, there is no filler neck attached...
or did you get a used one?

anyway.. quick update.. other half topped up the rad and said it barely took any at all to get it back up to where it should be.. so not losing a lot, but still needs to be sorted out..

will be checking all hose connections for signs of leaking.. make sure clamps are snug, etc.. when it stops raining.. ugh.

Hello Heartless,
It was a new radiator, and I just looked on Agriline and the different radiators for the Major, Power Major, and Super Major are between 130 and 160 lbs. I am probably missing something here?
My water pump leaked badly and also what I think was head gasket leaking coolant into cylinder- just more possible coolant leaks to look for fyi.

There are four Major radiators. The first type has the solid filler (this is part of the radiator) and ten fins per inch. The second type has the hose filler and ten fins per inch. The third type has the hose filler and five fins per inch, mounting holes 18 1/8" apart, from 1425097. The fourth type has the hose filler and five fins per inch, mounting holes 10 1/4" apart, from 08B-767403. None of these are interchangeable without problems, only the last two are currently available. So a re-core is the only way to keep your original configuration.
Sandy