The Ford Barn

danliveshere · 12-29-2011, 07:29 AM

Anybody had any success with this head saver in the MACS catalogue?

http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-al...0H8QY91000029/

ken ct · 12-29-2011, 08:03 AM

Looks like a pc. of alum barstock to me. Hang a scrap pc of alum in the rad neck would work just as good in my opinion and at no cost. $9.95 plus about $8 shipping from them. LOL,LOL ken ct.

ken ct · 12-29-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken ct

Looks like a pc. of alum barstock to me. Hang a scrap pc of alum in the rad neck would work just as good in my opinion and at no cost. $9.95 plus about $8 shipping from them. LOL,LOL ken ct.

Save your money Dan, you get pkg. yet,let me know on the freeze plugs. ken ct. usa

PeterC · 12-29-2011, 09:02 AM

Interesting re the sacrificial anode concept - I researched this for my own 35 Coupe - spoke to an expert electrical engineer in the marine anode business re application for a car. The good news is the galvanic action of the metals does indeed breakdown the anode and not the aluminum head - the bad news is that in a closed system ( our cooling systems) the lead deposits itself as pollution (as compared to marine applications where it would be an open system (the sea) and coats the entire inside of the cooling system. Not sure what in reality is more of a threat to the car. I have spoken to a number of respected early ford guys all over the country that have been using aluminum heads for decades - the damage caused by electrolysis seems to take the bulk of the blame for other negligence - if you maintain a cooling system properly - use distilled - mineral free water - the correct antifreeze type (I use Zerex G05) and levels - flush the cooling system keeping in clean as appropriate - the possible negative issues will be kept to a minimum.

I am sure there are many other theories and each of us must make informed judgments and the best balance of parts, maintenance and common sense. I do not think there is a perfect answer IMHO.

Jack E/NJ · 12-29-2011, 09:39 AM

PeterC>>>the lead deposits itself as pollution (as compared to marine applications where it would be an open system (the sea) and coats the entire inside of the cooling system.>>>

Lead pollution????

Jack E/NJ

PeterC · 12-29-2011, 10:25 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Pollution meaning contaminants from the eroding lead anode due to the sacrifice of the lead anode in the closed cooling system. The by-product of the destruction of the lead anode stays in the system in the form of "pollution" in the cooling system and adheres to the inside of the block as a coating. Hope that clarifies.

Jack E/NJ · 12-29-2011, 11:12 AM

Sacrificial anodes made from lead aren't or shouldn't be used for automotive applications. Magnesium alloys are usually used to protect aluminum, zinc to protect iron and steel.

Jack E/NJ

BobM · 12-29-2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

Sacrificial anodes made from lead aren't or shouldn't be used for automotive applications. Magnesium alloys are usually used to protect aluminum, zinc to protect iron and steel.

Jack E/NJ

Jack, where would I get a magnesium anode? Thanks, Bob

Walt Dupont--Me. · 12-29-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobM

Jack, where would I get a magnesium anode? Thanks, Bob

How about breaking up an old V/W block, I heard they are made of magnesium. Walt

Jack E/NJ · 12-29-2011, 12:30 PM

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...node&x=18&y=16

Jack E/NJ

robert dick · 12-29-2011, 01:53 PM

look on e bay for magnesium, i bought a 12" rod of it and used a piece of it in the unused temp hole in my cyl head -seems to work ok.

Karl Wolf · 12-29-2011, 02:37 PM

Check with a boat place, they use zincs for engines, and hulls... Maybe outboard engines use magnesium to save their aluminum...
As per Robert Dick, I would want to put the anode into a 3/8" pipe plug (press fit) and use heater holes in head, to have an electrical connection to the material you're trying to maintain... (This is my opinion, can't remember a source) Easy to check, also...
Karl

35ragtop · 12-29-2011, 03:52 PM

Hey Dan,
when I had my radiator rebuilt recently, they gave me an anode on a stainless wire hook to hang over the lip of the cap and dangle in the fluid. Im only using rainwater at this stage.
Time will tell but the dissolving ( if it occurs) of the mag/zinc alloy has to go somewhere.
Stay cool up there
Daveh

jimTN · 12-29-2011, 05:13 PM

I bought mine from Lang's, a major T parts vendor, have them in my T's and v8s. Cannot say how well they work yet. Do know that stock alum heads from years ago were made of a alum that corodes a lot easier than modern stuff.

4dFord/SC · 12-29-2011, 06:36 PM

Here's an alternative that many of us use: http://www.no-rosion.com/norosioncoolant.htm

G.M. · 12-29-2011, 09:33 PM

Jim the old Ford aluminum castings were not a very good alloy and have a large grain sftructure with a lot of poriousity in the castings. This can be seen when they break. The water and other minerals soak into these pores and the aluminum become weak and soft. I believe the new alloy used is 356 which needs to be heat treated after it is cast. As molded it don't machine very well, when heat treated to a T-6 temper it machines like brass and is stronger. This is what is used in outboard motors, car transmissions, rears and most aluminum heads. I don't know what alloy is used in engines? G.M.

12-29-2011, 07:29 AM	#1
danliveshere Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cairns , Australia Posts: 748	Anybody using this head saver ? Anybody had any success with this head saver in the MACS catalogue? http://macsautoparts.com/early-v8-al...0H8QY91000029/

12-29-2011, 08:03 AM	#2
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Looks like a pc. of alum barstock to me. Hang a scrap pc of alum in the rad neck would work just as good in my opinion and at no cost. $9.95 plus about $8 shipping from them. LOL,LOL ken ct.

12-29-2011, 09:02 AM	#4
PeterC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 855	Re: Anybody using this head saver ie Anode ? Interesting re the sacrificial anode concept - I researched this for my own 35 Coupe - spoke to an expert electrical engineer in the marine anode business re application for a car. The good news is the galvanic action of the metals does indeed breakdown the anode and not the aluminum head - the bad news is that in a closed system ( our cooling systems) the lead deposits itself as pollution (as compared to marine applications where it would be an open system (the sea) and coats the entire inside of the cooling system. Not sure what in reality is more of a threat to the car. I have spoken to a number of respected early ford guys all over the country that have been using aluminum heads for decades - the damage caused by electrolysis seems to take the bulk of the blame for other negligence - if you maintain a cooling system properly - use distilled - mineral free water - the correct antifreeze type (I use Zerex G05) and levels - flush the cooling system keeping in clean as appropriate - the possible negative issues will be kept to a minimum. I am sure there are many other theories and each of us must make informed judgments and the best balance of parts, maintenance and common sense. I do not think there is a perfect answer IMHO.

12-29-2011, 09:39 AM	#5
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? PeterC>>>the lead deposits itself as pollution (as compared to marine applications where it would be an open system (the sea) and coats the entire inside of the cooling system.>>> Lead pollution???? Jack E/NJ

12-29-2011, 10:25 AM	#6
PeterC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 855	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Pollution meaning contaminants from the eroding lead anode due to the sacrifice of the lead anode in the closed cooling system. The by-product of the destruction of the lead anode stays in the system in the form of "pollution" in the cooling system and adheres to the inside of the block as a coating. Hope that clarifies.

12-29-2011, 11:12 AM	#7
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Sacrificial anodes made from lead aren't or shouldn't be used for automotive applications. Magnesium alloys are usually used to protect aluminum, zinc to protect iron and steel. Jack E/NJ

12-29-2011, 12:30 PM	#10
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...node&x=18&y=16 Jack E/NJ

12-29-2011, 01:53 PM	#11
robert dick Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: massachusetts Posts: 317	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? look on e bay for magnesium, i bought a 12" rod of it and used a piece of it in the unused temp hole in my cyl head -seems to work ok.

12-29-2011, 02:37 PM	#12
Karl Wolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mill Valley,Ca. Posts: 1,509	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Check with a boat place, they use zincs for engines, and hulls... Maybe outboard engines use magnesium to save their aluminum... As per Robert Dick, I would want to put the anode into a 3/8" pipe plug (press fit) and use heater holes in head, to have an electrical connection to the material you're trying to maintain... (This is my opinion, can't remember a source) Easy to check, also... Karl

12-29-2011, 03:52 PM	#13
35ragtop Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Gold Coast , Australia Posts: 249	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Hey Dan, when I had my radiator rebuilt recently, they gave me an anode on a stainless wire hook to hang over the lip of the cap and dangle in the fluid. Im only using rainwater at this stage. Time will tell but the dissolving ( if it occurs) of the mag/zinc alloy has to go somewhere. Stay cool up there Daveh

12-29-2011, 05:13 PM	#14
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,510	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? I bought mine from Lang's, a major T parts vendor, have them in my T's and v8s. Cannot say how well they work yet. Do know that stock alum heads from years ago were made of a alum that corodes a lot easier than modern stuff.

12-29-2011, 06:36 PM	#15
4dFord/SC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,579	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Here's an alternative that many of us use: http://www.no-rosion.com/norosioncoolant.htm

12-29-2011, 09:33 PM	#16
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: Anybody using this head saver ? Jim the old Ford aluminum castings were not a very good alloy and have a large grain sftructure with a lot of poriousity in the castings. This can be seen when they break. The water and other minerals soak into these pores and the aluminum become weak and soft. I believe the new alloy used is 356 which needs to be heat treated after it is cast. As molded it don't machine very well, when heat treated to a T-6 temper it machines like brass and is stronger. This is what is used in outboard motors, car transmissions, rears and most aluminum heads. I don't know what alloy is used in engines? G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com