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Old 04-24-2015, 10:05 AM   #1
duffer
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Default Anti freeze

What do you guys run in your radiator? Is anti- freeze bad for our cars? I found some Meijer brand extended life Phosphate-free
Silicate-free formula . Or is just plain water good enough with a rust inhibitor ?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 04-24-2015, 10:12 AM   #2
marc hildebrant
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Default Re: Anti freeze

I use the same antifreeze in my Model A as I do in my other cars. I see no reason to treat it different than today's car.

While the transfer of heat is better with water than antifreeze (50-50), the boiling point of antifreeze is higher than water, so it "balances out".

Today's antifreeze have anti-rusting stuff, so why not keep the engine in good shape.

Marc
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Old 04-24-2015, 11:45 AM   #3
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Anti freeze

I'm one that uses distilled water with inhibitor. Anti-freeze only goes in for winter storage.
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Old 04-24-2015, 11:48 AM   #4
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Default Re: Anti freeze

As newbie and a one year of experience, my car mostly sat for 5 years with little use before it was mine --thankfully it had anti-freeze in it... I run 50/50, and thus far have not had any overheating issues...
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Old 04-24-2015, 01:22 PM   #5
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Anti freeze

I run 50/50 antifreeze & add a jar of plain old BARS-LEAKS, "JUST IN CASE"-------------------
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Old 04-24-2015, 01:25 PM   #6
raprice22
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I use ethylene glycol 50/50 in both of my vintage cars for years and they're doing just fine.
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Old 04-24-2015, 01:27 PM   #7
ODFever
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Default Re: Anti freeze

I run a 60/40 mix of water/green coolant.
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Old 04-24-2015, 01:41 PM   #8
JD 1931
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Original radiator and I run 50/50 Walmart antifreeze , sometimes but not often I add a little bars leak...
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Old 04-24-2015, 03:09 PM   #9
40 Deluxe
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Default Re: Anti freeze

If running plain water, expect to be caught by surprise with an early fall freeze! So you saved $15.00 on antifreeze. Now what??
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Old 04-24-2015, 03:28 PM   #10
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Anti freeze can encourage internal leaks if there are any v fine cracks. A friend on the just recent Model A Meet here in southern part of NZ put some in his AA Tow Truck but there was a fine crack in the head which resulted in water in the oil. Drained it all, put clean water in radiator, no more problems.
I have only used water , no anti freeze, but then it only gets dangerously cold in a few certain areas here.
In the old days, previous owner of my Tudor lived in an area that gets heavy frosts ; they put a sack under the engine & on top of the bonnet/hood as the car sat outside.
Today, we would not do that or drain the system if leaving outside?
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Old 04-24-2015, 04:08 PM   #11
Mitch//pa
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Default Re: Anti freeze

i use 49 - 51..
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Old 04-24-2015, 04:16 PM   #12
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Default Re: Anti freeze

49% water or 49% anti we need to know :-)
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Old 04-24-2015, 04:27 PM   #13
bobf
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Hi Guys
i WORKED IN THE REFRIGERATION GAME FOR OVER 20 YEARS. MY PARTNER AND I EXPERIMENTED ONE TIME AND MIXED ETHYLINE GLYCOL ANTIFREEZE AT 10% WITH WATER AND USING R22,( WHICH HAS A FREEZING POINT OF -40 DEGREES F.) ,THE MIXTURE GOT A LITTLE THICK BUT NEVER SOLIDIFIED AT -40F . WITH THIS IN MIND I USE 25% GLYCOL & WATER IN MY SPORT COUPE WITH NO PROBLEMS
FOR OVER 15 YEARS
BOB F FROM CHILLY ONTARIO
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Old 04-24-2015, 07:48 PM   #14
glenn in camino
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Anti freeze removes most paints. Powder coated engine pans are OK.
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Old 04-24-2015, 08:34 PM   #15
armchair67
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Been using standard 50/50 anti freeze in my 31 since I bought it last summer-been driving it daily including through Chicago winters with no issues. When I bought the car I did the vinegar flush which caused me a world of woe by plugging my radiator up to the point I ended up having to replace it. with the new radiator and anti freeze, no issues thought.
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Old 04-24-2015, 09:19 PM   #16
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Depends where you live. We can get - 40F in a bad winter so all our vehicles run 50/50 good quality anti-freeze and tap water.

When I lived in more temperate climes I used 50/50 good quality anti-freeze and tap water to raise the boiling point and reduce corrosion.

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Old 04-25-2015, 02:34 PM   #17
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Quote:
Originally Posted by armchair67 View Post
Been using standard 50/50 anti freeze in my 31 since I bought it last summer-been driving it daily including through Chicago winters with no issues. When I bought the car I did the vinegar flush which caused me a world of woe by plugging my radiator up to the point I ended up having to replace it. with the new radiator and anti freeze, no issues thought.
Vinegar WON'T dissolve big rust flakes. After vinegar cleaning, REMEMBER to backflush the radumator, GOOD, to remove rust flakes that are stuck in the top of the tubes. I backflush my radumator twice a year, & oil my horn, every 3 months!
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Old 04-25-2015, 09:19 PM   #18
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Default Re: Anti freeze

Iwont put bars leak in anything I know it stop up a heater core Good luck
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Old 04-25-2015, 10:29 PM   #19
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Default Re: Anti freeze

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Originally Posted by billwill View Post
Iwont put bars leak in anything I know it stop up a heater core Good luck
It was probably partially plugged to begin with.
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Old 04-26-2015, 03:36 PM   #20
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Anti freeze

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Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac View Post
It was probably partially plugged to begin with.
Dorg here,
Iffin' sumbody mentioned PEANUT BUTTER, sumbody would find sumptin' WRONG with it---------& DON'T use it for STOP-LEAK CUZ I eat it & still have to take a LEAK @ 2:17 A.M!
Buster T.
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