The Ford Barn

Bob SMF · 03-14-2013, 08:35 PM

I bought some prestone radiator flush for my 8ba. Is this stuff OK to use in the old flatheads? It says to run it for 10 minutes and then flush it out with plain water. Why just 10 minutes? Thanks. Getting this Ford ready for Tahoe. Bob

FL&WVMIKE · 03-14-2013, 09:59 PM

Bob SMF ....................
Don't waste your time and money with commercial radiator flush. The EPA has made it almost useless.
Instead try running straight vinegar for several days. It is a mild acid and will loosen the rust, sludge, etc. It is not harmful to the environment, either.
MIKE

Old Henry · 03-14-2013, 11:19 PM

I agree with Mike. I used to use Prestone Super Radiator Cleaner (way more powerful than just the flush that you're talking about) with great success but no more; hardly touches the corrosion any more. I haven't tried the vinegar yet but probably will before any summer mountain climbs this year.

For the procedure of thoroughly backflushing both halves of the flathead at the same time see my detailed explanation here: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83557

Bob SMF · 03-15-2013, 10:40 AM

Thanks A big help. Bob

Torchie · 03-15-2013, 11:31 AM

Vinegar works as well as some of the prouducts used to descale home dishwasher.
i use vinegar to soak rusted parts in as well.
I believe there have been a few threads about this over on theHAMB site as well.
Torchie

TStiles · 03-15-2013, 11:52 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I've used a product called Rydlyme in marine engines / heat exchangers for years. The stuff is AMAZING! Doesn't attack anything other than buildup and renders a cooling system like new. They say it is good for the automotive industry. I wonder if it would work OK on a system with a flatty...

3340 · 03-15-2013, 03:35 PM

I Like The Vinegar, Then Flush And Run Tide Laundry Detergent ( 1/2 Cup Powder) For About A Week Then Drain. I Always Use Distilled Water.

russcc · 03-15-2013, 07:05 PM

the good simple stuff is vinegar

brien · 03-15-2013, 08:32 PM

Does that limescale remover CLR or Limeaway work also? There's all this stuff as well:

http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...escale+remover

Vinegar is the basic cure for sure..

dean333 · 03-22-2013, 12:52 PM

How much vinegar and how much water mix?

OLD...BILL · 03-22-2013, 02:22 PM

WE-RE talking about WHITE VINEGAR, and as close as 100 percent ?....go back and read Mikes post .....OLD....BILL

lonewolf · 03-22-2013, 03:51 PM

I used 100 white vinegar drove it around for a week with it than flushed with baking soda to neutralize the acid. Worked great

dean333 · 03-24-2013, 07:40 PM

Thanks Bill, I re-read Mike's post. Duh!! Is the baking soda routine a good idea after the vinegar?

03-14-2013, 08:35 PM	#1
Bob SMF Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7	radiator flush I bought some prestone radiator flush for my 8ba. Is this stuff OK to use in the old flatheads? It says to run it for 10 minutes and then flush it out with plain water. Why just 10 minutes? Thanks. Getting this Ford ready for Tahoe. Bob

03-14-2013, 09:59 PM	#2
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,442	Re: radiator flush Bob SMF .................... Don't waste your time and money with commercial radiator flush. The EPA has made it almost useless. Instead try running straight vinegar for several days. It is a mild acid and will loosen the rust, sludge, etc. It is not harmful to the environment, either. MIKE

03-14-2013, 11:19 PM	#3
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: radiator flush I agree with Mike. I used to use Prestone Super Radiator Cleaner (way more powerful than just the flush that you're talking about) with great success but no more; hardly touches the corrosion any more. I haven't tried the vinegar yet but probably will before any summer mountain climbs this year. For the procedure of thoroughly backflushing both halves of the flathead at the same time see my detailed explanation here: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83557 __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness Last edited by Old Henry; 03-15-2013 at 12:42 AM.*

03-15-2013, 10:40 AM	#4
Bob SMF Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7	Re: radiator flush Thanks A big help. Bob

03-15-2013, 11:31 AM	#5
Torchie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Northern Mi. Posts: 355	Re: radiator flush Vinegar works as well as some of the prouducts used to descale home dishwasher. i use vinegar to soak rusted parts in as well. I believe there have been a few threads about this over on theHAMB site as well. Torchie

03-15-2013, 11:52 AM	#6
TStiles Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Kitsap Peninsula, Western WA Posts: 276	Re: radiator flush Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've used a product called Rydlyme in marine engines / heat exchangers for years. The stuff is AMAZING! Doesn't attack anything other than buildup and renders a cooling system like new. They say it is good for the automotive industry. I wonder if it would work OK on a system with a flatty...

03-15-2013, 03:35 PM	#7
3340 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: toledo ohio Posts: 393	Re: radiator flush I Like The Vinegar, Then Flush And Run Tide Laundry Detergent ( 1/2 Cup Powder) For About A Week Then Drain. I Always Use Distilled Water.

03-15-2013, 07:05 PM	#8
russcc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,871	Re: radiator flush the good simple stuff is vinegar

03-15-2013, 08:32 PM	#9
brien Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brooklyn CT Posts: 98	Re: radiator flush Does that limescale remover CLR or Limeaway work also? There's all this stuff as well: http://images.search.yahoo.com/searc...escale+remover Vinegar is the basic cure for sure..

03-22-2013, 12:52 PM	#10
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 863	Re: radiator flush How much vinegar and how much water mix?

03-22-2013, 02:22 PM	#11
OLD...BILL Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern California,coast Posts: 552	Re: radiator flush WE-RE talking about WHITE VINEGAR, and as close as 100 percent ?....go back and read Mikes post .....OLD....BILL

03-22-2013, 03:51 PM	#12
lonewolf Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 464	Re: radiator flush I used 100 white vinegar drove it around for a week with it than flushed with baking soda to neutralize the acid. Worked great

03-24-2013, 07:40 PM	#13
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 863	Re: radiator flush Thanks Bill, I re-read Mike's post. Duh!! Is the baking soda routine a good idea after the vinegar?