T&T: Ford Lehman Coolant Problem

[Ken Bloomfield]

I have Perkins engines, not the Ford Lehman, but suspect they are rather 
similar in many aspects.  If this was a comment posted about a Perkins 
engine I would immediately respond that you are likely overfilling the 
header tank.  This seems especially true when you say that the coolant 
begins to flow almost immediately.  Sounds to me like there is no (or 
inadequate) head-space left above the liquid level to accommodate the 
natural expansion due to the coolant warming.  In the Perkins, to have 
this  happen the coolant would need to be almost right up to the filler 
neck, whereas it should be about an inch to an inch and a half below the 
fill neck bottom.

Maybe some FL owners can comment on the appropriate fill level.

Ken Bloomfield
M/V Tellico Lady
50' Marine Trader Walkaround
Maryville, TN

--SNIP--
Larry Gregory wrote:
> I am having a problem with the coolant system on my Ford Lehman SP160. 
> I would
> appreciate hearing from listees who have had the same or similiar 
> problem. I
> have already spoken to Bob Smith and Brian at American Diesel Corp.
>
> Coolant (50/50 mix of anti-freeze and water) is flowing from the coolant
> header tank into the coolant overflow recovery tank almost immediately 
> after
> starting the engine.