Re: 1934 eight radiator

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2022/8/11 16:57:40

Bill, apparently I haven't done a very good job explaining the unique 1934 system to you, so let me try again. And remember 1934 was the first year for the full-flow oil filtration and the oil cooler, and the only year with the cooler fed its coolant water from the water jacket side plate.

For 1933 and prior years, and 1935 and later years, on this style engine the coolant enters the side jacket plate from the bottom of the radiator and flows down a channel within the plate created by an internal plate or cover. In that innter plate are openings so as the water progresses down the length of the plate it has exits for each cylinder to distribute the coolant to all cylinders more or less uniformly. There was a later 1934 style plate with nozzles for the water rather than simple openings (see the service letters for illustrations) but the net effect is the same.

BUT NOT FOR 1934.

You're right, when you removed the cover that blanked off the opening for the oil cooler you saw two rectangular openings, one for coolant entry and one for exit after it had circulated thru the core and cooled the oil. After the water enters the side jacket plate from the lower radiator hose, it is no longer free to pass unrestricted to the rearward cylinders, if so the cooler would be nonfunctional. Instead within the side jacket plate there is a small baffle that directs the water specifically into the oil cooler; after it exits the cooler it is free to resume it's path to the rearward cylinders. Unless whoever eliminated the cooler and blanked off the openings in the side plate then removed or bent out the the way the small baffle within the internals of the water jacket side plate that directs this diversion of flow, the coolant is no longer free to flow unrestricted to the rear cylinders. Yes, some will get there by being forced past the little baffle.

So you have some choices to undo what was previously done if in fact it was done incorrectly (something we don't know yet):
1. Find and reinstall the oil cooler. Lots of challenges with this choice.
2. Leave the cooler off and remove or flatten the internal baffle that is now trying to force the coolant into the cooler that is not there.
3. Install a water jacket plate from and earlier or later engine.

And just to add, to my knowledge we can't be sure this is the reason for your overheating, but it is a not uncommon problem on modified 1934 models and should be checked out. The reason for your overheating may still lie elsewhere.