The Ford Barn

farmboy · 11-25-2016, 08:19 PM

Time to get my rebuilt truck ready for its first winter since restored. I use the old green antifreeze in most of the farm equipment round the shop. Will that be fine in the flathead. If not what you guys recomend. Thanks.

40 Deluxe · 11-26-2016, 02:14 AM

Absolutely will work great. Green is the closest to the original permanent antifreeze back in the day, which gradually replaced alcohol (methanol) based antifreeze. It was called "permanent" because it did not evaporate ('boil') out of the cooling system like methanol, which meant topping off the radiator was a regular chore. Methanol boils at somewhere around 170-180* if I remember. So you changed to 'winter' thermostats (160*) in the fall so the methanol didn't disappear so quickly. Then went back to 180* in the summer. With "permanent" antifreeze you could leave the 180* stats in and get more warmth from the heater.

36Bill · 11-26-2016, 09:32 AM

I use Sierra antifreeze, it is proplyene glycol and is safer for animals.

http://www.peakauto.com/products/ant...motive/sierra/

38bill · 11-26-2016, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36Bill

I use Sierra antifreeze, it is proplyene glycol and is safer for animals.

http://www.peakauto.com/products/ant...motive/sierra/

Me too, and the insides of my alum heads still look like brand new after 17 years on the road.

flathead4rd · 11-26-2016, 11:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

X2 Sierra. Been using it for 20 years in my Flatheads. Just get the antifreeze tester for it as the regular testers won't work. Cost about $2.

11-25-2016, 08:19 PM	#1
farmboy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Rector, AR Posts: 167	Any particular antifreeze for a 221 flathead Time to get my rebuilt truck ready for its first winter since restored. I use the old green antifreeze in most of the farm equipment round the shop. Will that be fine in the flathead. If not what you guys recomend. Thanks.

11-26-2016, 02:14 AM	#2
40 Deluxe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: now Kuna, Idaho Posts: 3,779	Re: Any particular antifreeze for a 221 flathead Absolutely will work great. Green is the closest to the original permanent antifreeze back in the day, which gradually replaced alcohol (methanol) based antifreeze. It was called "permanent" because it did not evaporate ('boil') out of the cooling system like methanol, which meant topping off the radiator was a regular chore. Methanol boils at somewhere around 170-180* if I remember. So you changed to 'winter' thermostats (160) in the fall so the methanol didn't disappear so quickly. Then went back to 180 in the summer. With "permanent" antifreeze you could leave the 180* stats in and get more warmth from the heater.

11-26-2016, 09:32 AM	#3
36Bill Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Oregon Posts: 315	Re: Any particular antifreeze for a 221 flathead I use Sierra antifreeze, it is proplyene glycol and is safer for animals. http://www.peakauto.com/products/ant...motive/sierra/ __________________ The best way to have a friend is to be a friend. Howdy Doody

11-26-2016, 11:45 AM	#5
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 505	Re: Any particular antifreeze for a 221 flathead Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) X2 Sierra. Been using it for 20 years in my Flatheads. Just get the antifreeze tester for it as the regular testers won't work. Cost about $2.