BIG TROUBLE IN TEXAS (FROWN)

1) I just installed a new radiator, radiator cap and thermostat. The overflow tube is not extended to the bottom of the radiator, its just a one inch horizontal tube at the neck, and it is above the sheet metal. After about ten minutes of running alot steam and radiator fluid starts coming out of the overflow tube, and it doesn't stop. I don't mean a little steam and radiator fluid, I mean a lot. I don't think that Casey Jones had that much steam in his locomotive. What is causing this? My understanding is that the 9N didn't have a pressurized radiator. I was told by the dealer that the radiator that I bought was a pressurized type. Is it possible that I have the wrong type of radiator cap? Do I have too much fluid in the radiator? Is the thermostat malfunctioning? The pointed end points towards the radiator? The tractor still runs when the steam is coming out, but not very well for the reason noted below.

2) This is embarrasing becuase it is so stupid. (grimmace) When I jump-started my tractor, unknowingly I connected the positive jumper cable to the negative battery post, and the negative to the positive. At the time, I just didn't understand why it wouldn't crank. So I went out and bought a new battery and I connected the RED battery cable to the positive battery post and everything started smoking more than a bunch a hippies down at Haight-Asbury. I finally realized that the previous owner used a RED battery cable for the negative lead. (red-faced) What damage do you think that I did to my tractor? It still runs but not very well. It doesn't have much power and it runs very rough.

I'm in bad shape and I really need some good advice. I have some native grasses and wildflowers that I want to plant, and some of the weeds are eight feet high and they need to be cut. Thanks is advance for your help.

You do know that water when heated, expands don't you? And that is why the overflow is flowing and steaming. And it takes about 10 minutes to come-up to full thermostat operating tempature of 160 deg.

You'll want to fill your radiator to about 2-3" below the radiator cap. Any fuller, and it'll expand overboard. Thats ok as long as you don't mind topping-up your radiator everytime before you start it up.

ALWAYS USE ANTI-FREEZE. It has a higher boiling tempature and anti-rust additives and waterpump lubricant. I always use 50/50 anti-freeze even when and where it doesn't freeze.

Yes, the original 1939 N-Radiator system was "un-pressureized", but was changed in 1940? to a 4 psi pressurized system. Don't worry, the un-pressureized engine is capable of handling 4 psi pressurization. Just think, modern engines are pressurized to 14 psi.

The radiator caps are VERY DIFFERENT between pressureized and un-pressureized and they ARE NOT interchangeable. Isn't that amazing?..... ...respectfully, Dell

Check your fan belt, if it's loose your water pump might not be working effectively and that can cause overheating.

Do you have 12V or original 6V? If 12V I think reversing the polarity might damage the alernator. For 6V I don't think that should hurt anything permanently. There may be other electrical problems there.

If you reversed polarity (and you have 6V system) you probably want to repolarize the generator else your charging system may not work properly.

Jon