anti freeze and alumunum heads

[Don]

any problen with useing the old style antifreeze with aluminum heads? 50/50 mix or just use water for now,new start up?

[phartman]

Don, I've heard that it is the antifreeze that causes the corrosion buildup and flaking in the heads. I'm further told that it reacts poorly with the contaminents in the alloy. Dunno if that is the case, but I don't plan on using the antifreeze except in the winter when we have to around here. Maybe some of the other experts here can comment.

[19Fordy]

I use the newer antifreeze that is recommended by the car manufacturers who make aluminum heads, blocks, etc. It is not the old green ethylene glycol. Also add www.norosion.com products to it.

[ford1]

dont use any soluble oil products in an engine with aluminum heads or block, that stuff will make for sever heating problens, its sold as water pump lube

[Andy]

Copper head gaskets and aluminum heads makes a battery. I would change to the graphite gaskets. I took my engine down after two years and the erosion was significant with the copper gaskets. I had 50/50 new antifreeze in it at all times.

[flatjack9]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Originally Posted by ford1

dont use any soluble oil products in an engine with aluminum heads or block, that stuff will make for sever heating problens, its sold as water pump lube

Never heard that one. What would cause that?

[Ray With]

I run three cars with Aluminum heads for 15+ years and use the glycol green stuff and I have no problems at all. I do flush the systems out every winter prior to the cold weather and use DuPont fast flush and been doing this many years without any problems. I do hear all kind of wife's tails and bad experiences about antifreeze but I haven't had that problem. I also use on two cars the hipo aluminum water pumps and there in great shape as well. Last year I did an overhaul on my 302 SBF motor with Aluminum heads which was routine and no signs of any corrosion-erosion period.

[Ronnie]

How many old Datsun's and Toyota's & Honda's ran around with aluminum heads and water pumps and cast iron blocks?They ran for years in the early 70's you couldn't kill those evil things and the antifreeze worked for them why not in an old flat motor?
My 2¢

R

[John R]

Ronnie, you got that right!
John R.

[Ray With]

Wife has a 77 280z aluminum head and its not spurting water/glycol out any orfices and is all original including water pump.

[Andy]

My 85 Ford Taurus went 218,000 and is still going . It has an iron block and aluminum heads. I am quite sure it also has steel head gaskets. The copper gaskets are death to the aluminum heads.

[GOSFAST]

Originally Posted by Don

any problen with useing the old style antifreeze with aluminum heads? 50/50 mix or just use water for now,new start up?

Hi Don, after the initial running-in, go with the original style anti-freeze and make absolutely certain to maintain a 50/50 mix.

You will have no issues with incompatibility with any of the components regardless of the material, aluminum, etc,

Recently we have noticed some material break-down issues with the newer pink/red anti-freeze with some aftermarket SBC Edelbrock heads.

The reasoning behind using only straight water initially is to make certain there are no minor/major leaks in the system!! Once the anti-freeze gets to ANY leak it becomes more difficult to control it due to the oil base in the mix!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. I would just add this also, when you're concentrating on the first fire-up, if you have a slight water leak, you can address it later. If you experience any slight anti-freeze leaking it will put you into "panic-mode"! Fresh water is also less likely to cause any permanent staining!

[Ed Pitts]

I have new Edelbrock cylinder heads to put on my 59AB. Edelbrock recommends only copper head gaskets for these heads. Ed

[harry goebel]

I use something called water witter for drop of temp and protection of alum heads. Another good product is call No-Rosion made by Applied Chemical Specialties, Inc. Good for metal protection and cooling. Fax number is 402 572-9995. Do not use straight water, it will eat them up