Flathead radiator with straight water
 

I know I am not that bright .
I read a lot of posts here where you should put straight water in the radiator with no antifreeze during a test .
Why ?

I have seen several pics here where the Block had a chunk the size of your fist pushed out ,,or a crack running the length of the pan rail or some other disastrous outcome from freezing .

I can understand doing for a short test,,,,,,but looks like too many are forgetting and leaving the water in without mixing in antifreeze .

What is wrong with putting some antifreeze in while doing a test .
If it is cracked already,,,,,the antifreeze won’t hurt any thing more than is already hurt ?

Just curious !

Tommy

Re: Flathead radiator with straight water
 

If you do have a leak during a test (initial) run, plain water makes less of a mess to clean up than an antifreeze mix.

Just don't forget to change it when everything proves OK.

Re: Flathead radiator with straight water
 

I'm preparing a motor for a test at the moment and was going to use straight water. I changed my mind while filling it and went with antifreeze mix.

Mart.

Re: Flathead radiator with straight water
 

Just curious Mart; can you explain why you changed your mind?

Re: Flathead radiator with straight water
 

It may be that there is a dye that folks ad to the "straight water" that makes it easier to see a crack or defect?

Re: Flathead radiator with straight water
 

No special dye, just plain food coloring will do the trick if needed.

And in a color of your choice.

Re: Flathead radiator with straight water
 

It can still get cold at night here, and I was thinking the water pumps might benefit from lube qualities. No hard and fast reason, I just wavered between the two and came down on the side of adding the anti-freeze. I always run antifreeze anyway, so I thought I might start off as I intend to go on.

Mart.