Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Hi all - I am an antique car newbie and I acquired a 1924 Single Eight 143 Touring in the spring. I've driven it about 15 times, and on two occasions (including today) upon parking it in the garage after a short (10ish minutes about 2.5 miles) trip, it dumped about a quart of coolant from the relief valve near the motometer just after I shut it down. It was hot today (about 95 degrees), but it was a short trip. The temperature gauge was about halfway up, so it shouldn't really be overheating. I'm just not sure if there is too much fluid in there or not enough. Anyone who knows a lot more about these sorts of things know what I should do? Thanks!

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First, great car
Don't know anything about your model car, but when my 36 pretty much did the same thing, turned out to be bad head gasket
Again, pretty car
Good luck with her
W

Sounds like a classic case or over filling the radiator. If you fill them too full, they will puke out the extra when hot. You need some empty space at the top. These are unpressurized radiators.

When you turn off the engine aftet a good run, it heat soaks the coolant and that's when it's most likely to overflow coolant if there isn't a little bit of empty space and the top of the radiator for expansion.