Just purchased and New Berg Radiator Wow

[HS]

I Just purchased and installed a New Berg Radiator. wow nice. Took for a test dive, It really runs cool. What cocktail/Radiator fluid, what would you recommend. I'm running Distilled water and NAPA 1300 Rust inhibitor for spring and Summer.

Thanks,
Hugh

[Tom Wesenberg]

50% antifreeze always for me. I don't like rust and cracked blocks and heads.

[Jacksonlll]

50/50 all yr.

[Dick Steinkamp]

It depends upon where you live.

[mike657894]

my car sat for 40 years with 50/50 green in it before I got it. block was completely clean in water jackets when I opened it up.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Most antifreeze coolants do not increase boiling points unless they are under pressure. Straight water has a greater surface tension so you receive better (-more efficient) heat transfer.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

50% antifreeze always for me. I don't like rust and cracked blocks and heads.

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

50/50 all yr.

X3. I run the Peak Brand with the green cap. Formulated for pre 1989 cars...

[30 Closed Cab PU]

As long as you do not run into; running hot, or have leaks, or over heating, antifreeze is a best way to prevent cooling system rust/corrosion/scaling.


If your system is marginal, distilled water/Napa 1300/Red Line Water Wetter.


It is a trade off
Water/Napa 1300/Red Line Water Wetter is a better coolant for cooling, but not as good for rust/corrosion/scaling, And you have to drain it during freezing temperatures and add antifreeze.


Antifreeze is better for rust/corrosion/scale prevention and you do not have to drain and replace it for freezing temps.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by HS

I Just purchased and installed a New Berg Radiator. wow nice. Took for a test dive, It really runs cool. What cocktail/Radiator fluid, what would you recommend. I'm running Distilled water and NAPA 1300 Rust inhibitor for spring and Summer.

Thanks,
Hugh

28-29 style or 30-31 style?

I have had my round tube radiator from Bergs (at least that is what I was told it came from) since 1980 on my 1929 Standard Coupe and is still going strong.

I am sure you will have plenty of years with yours to.

I have always used 50/50 antifreeze also.

Pluck

[Nick in Fayetteville]

I usually run 50/50 and get good results. However, when I run plain tap water, I add about a half cup of 30 weight motor oil to reduce rust problems. Works for me.

[HS]

OK so putting in 50/50 antifreeze is better for rust than distilled and Napa 1300 Anti-Rust ?

Thanks,
Hugh

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Yes, use the older style green antifreeze.


If you can buy the concentrate, not the premixed. Mix concentrate with distilled water. If you compare the prices, less expensive to mix it yourself instead of buying premix. If you save an used up container or 2 you can mix it up and have it ready if you have to add a little. Handy on longer trips to have some premixed in case you need it. Just remember to mark the container with a sharpie 50/50 mix, so you do not forget it is premixed.


Even though antifreeze really does not go bad if it is clean, some of the additives/rust protection/effectiveness has a life span of about 2- 3 years. Personally I drain/back flush every year before putting her down for the yearly winter nap, put the old back in with additive reconditioner. Change with fresh antifreeze every 4 - 5 years.

[HS]

30 closed cap PU

Good, thank you!!! , based on what ford barn says, I guess notI had thought that My distilled water and NAPA 1300 anti-rust was good, But now I guess not and I should be running 50/50 Water. Anti-Freeze!!

Thanks,
Hugh

Hugh

[Dick Steinkamp]

Is there any data that shows the proper amount of a name brand anti-rust and distilled water is less effective in preventing rust than 50/50 water/antifreeze?

I realize that if you live where it might freeze that 50/50 should be the choice, but how about for those that live where there is no chance of freezing?

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

Is there any data that shows the proper amount of a name brand anti-rust and distilled water is less effective in preventing rust than 50/50 water/antifreeze?

I realize that if you live where it might freeze that 50/50 should be the choice, but how about for those that live where there is no chance of freezing?

Hi Dick,


Seems I've opened this debate again. A year or so ago I looked at all the info I could find, and concluded that antifreeze has better rust/scale prevention than distilled water/additives. I just spent an hour reviewing what I saved, but can not find the info I saw that absolutely supports my view - sorry.


My view is that if rust/scale prevention is high on your list in making a decision of what to use, antifreeze is best. Back flush yearly in the fall. Even though not data driven, there have been posts about when taking a head/water pump off on cars running antifreeze the interior/guts are spotless - no rust/scale.


I have seen this claim for antifreeze, but do not recall seeing this claim for cars running distilled water/additives.


If someone is more concerned about best cooling, distilled water/rust-scale inhibitor/Waterwetter would be the choice. If it was me running this I would probably do a treatment in the fall of dawn, then thermocure or rust 911, or evaporust every year or two. Also backflush thoroughly.


My views, if there is other conclusive information/data that disagrees, am open to changing my mind.

[john in illinois]

I used water wetter and water pump lube. The result was a rusted block that had been clean.

If you read Water Weter Redline instructions,— Always use some antifreeze for street use.

John

[30 Closed Cab PU]

I believe both Water Wetter and Pump Lube are not rust/scale inhibitors, and why you should use Water Wetter with a rust inhibitor like napa 1300 with distilled water. I think I read somewhere that Waterwetter is best not used with certain antifreezes that contain silicates - it reacts over time and turns into a brown slime.


Check out the attachment.

Correct me if my understanding and info is incorrect..

[Dick Steinkamp]

Thanks, 30CCPU. If you've seen the data then your word is good enough for me.

[updraught]

Wikipedia on antifreeze:

"When ethylene glycol is used in a system, it may become oxidized to five organic acids (formic, oxalic, glycolic, glyoxalic and acetic acid). Inhibited ethylene glycol antifreeze mixes are available, with additives that buffer the pH and reserve alkalinity of the solution to prevent oxidation of ethylene glycol and formation of these acids. Nitrites, silicates, theodin, borates and azoles may also be used to prevent corrosive attack on metal"
...
"Propylene glycol is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol and may be labeled as "non-toxic antifreeze". It is used as antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate, such as in food-processing systems or in water pipes in homes where incidental ingestion may be possible. For example, the FDA allows propylene glycol to be added to a large number of processed foods, including ice cream, frozen custard, salad dressings, and baked goods, and it is commonly used as the main ingredient in the "e-liquid" used in electronic cigarettes.
Propylene glycol oxidizes when exposed to air and heat, forming lactic acid.[9][10] If not properly inhibited, this fluid can be very corrosive,[citation needed] so pH buffering agents such as dipotassium phosphate and potassium bicarbonate are often added to propylene glycol, to prevent acidic corrosion of metal components."

Antifreeze in ice cream. Yum.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by updraught

Wikipedia on antifreeze:

"When ethylene glycol is used in a system, it may become oxidized to five organic acids (formic, oxalic, glycolic, glyoxalic and acetic acid). Inhibited ethylene glycol antifreeze mixes are available, with additives that buffer the pH and reserve alkalinity of the solution to prevent oxidation of ethylene glycol and formation of these acids. Nitrites, silicates, theodin, borates and azoles may also be used to prevent corrosive attack on metal"
...
"Propylene glycol is considerably less toxic than ethylene glycol and may be labeled as "non-toxic antifreeze". It is used as antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate, such as in food-processing systems or in water pipes in homes where incidental ingestion may be possible. For example, the FDA allows propylene glycol to be added to a large number of processed foods, including ice cream, frozen custard, salad dressings, and baked goods, and it is commonly used as the main ingredient in the "e-liquid" used in electronic cigarettes.
Propylene glycol oxidizes when exposed to air and heat, forming lactic acid.[9][10] If not properly inhibited, this fluid can be very corrosive,[citation needed] so pH buffering agents such as dipotassium phosphate and potassium bicarbonate are often added to propylene glycol, to prevent acidic corrosion of metal components."

Antifreeze in ice cream. Yum.

This muddies things for me. Ethylene Glycol is the green stuff. The info uses "may" - under what conditions does this happen? If this is a problem, is it due to wearing out the additives over an extended period, does adding freshening additives to it correct these issues, etc?