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Old 01-25-2018, 10:26 AM   #1
Atlasboy
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Default Best Anti-Freeze

What would be the best Anti-Freeze to use for protection down to Zero.
My engine is ( I think ) original with no past rebuilding, and it still runs strong.
I just seem to remember that some Anti-Freezes can get into small crevices and damage the engine.
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Old 01-25-2018, 10:34 AM   #2
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

I use Menards premixed in both of my Model A's with no problems. I think all of the modern anti-freezes can be used with no problem.
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Old 01-25-2018, 10:56 AM   #3
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Thanks, Mike !
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Old 01-25-2018, 11:47 AM   #4
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

If I'm not mistaken their are only two companies in the US that make Anti Freeze.
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Old 01-25-2018, 11:49 AM   #5
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Some in my Model "A" Club have had problems with Anti-Freeze foaming. I wonder if modern (Long Life) Anti-Freeze may foam in nonpressurized cooling systems. I use O'Reilly Anti-Freeze for older cars (70's & 80's) in my Town Sedan. No problems.
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:23 PM   #6
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Some folks use the commonly available 50-50 mix ethylene glycol based and others prefer propylene glycol for older engines. Check some blogs on the net , etc. for further discussion
as it can be somewhat technical. We use distilled water to top off as necessary.
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:25 PM   #7
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

When I used the coupe as a daily driver I used Prestone antifreeze. It almost never goes to zero here . You would need to use a tester to determine the ratio of water to antifreeze . I used one gallon of Prestone with two gallons of water. I only used antifreeze in winter .Antifreeze raises the boiling point but doesn't raise the cooling ability . Modern cars need to run at higher temps than the primitive cooling system of the model A .
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:32 PM   #8
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

I use Peak "Green" for cars 1989 and earlier at the same ratio as Purdy. Good for ~0° per chart. Good enough for SoCal.

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Old 01-25-2018, 06:05 PM   #9
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

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Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft View Post
When I used the coupe as a daily driver I used Prestone antifreeze. It almost never goes to zero here . You would need to use a tester to determine the ratio of water to antifreeze . I used one gallon of Prestone with two gallons of water. I only used antifreeze in winter .Antifreeze raises the boiling point but doesn't raise the cooling ability . Modern cars need to run at higher temps than the primitive cooling system of the model A .
If you're running plain water in the summer, you have a self-propelled rust factory!
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Old 01-25-2018, 06:42 PM   #10
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

The "green" kind. Mixed 50/50 or more. Good for beyond -30 F. We do get -40 or so sometimes so I mix it a little strong.
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Old 01-25-2018, 06:42 PM   #11
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

There are only two kinds of anti-freeze. eythelene gycol and polypropolene gycol. The poly propolene stuff is the "green" kind and tends to foam less. the percentage of water to antifreeze determines how low temp you are protected.

Actually there is a third type but I dont recommend peeing in your radiator. he-he
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Old 01-25-2018, 06:59 PM   #12
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

The best is the one that does not freeze!
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Old 01-25-2018, 07:24 PM   #13
Purdy Swoft
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Quote:
Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe View Post
If you're running plain water in the summer, you have a self-propelled rust factory!
Thanks for your concern about my model A's . I've owned model A's for nearly 60 years . For some reason I feel that I know what I'm doing .
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Old 01-25-2018, 07:26 PM   #14
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Use water and you ask for rust.
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Old 01-25-2018, 08:04 PM   #15
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

I use the green stuff and add my own water. If you insist on 50/50 make your one. You just need one empty jug.
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Old 01-25-2018, 08:47 PM   #16
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

There was talk awhile back the long life antifreeze eats radiator solder. I don't know what to believe.
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Old 01-25-2018, 08:59 PM   #17
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

I use Prestone and have use it for years in all of my rigs including Model A's. Have served me well.
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Old 01-26-2018, 03:26 AM   #18
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clem Clement View Post
There was talk awhile back the long life antifreeze eats radiator solder. I don't know what to believe.
Best I can recall, there used to be some concern that one of the antifreeze types (forget which one) would eat up babbitt material, should you get a cooling leak into your crankcase. Did anyone else hear anything about that? Is it a legitimate concern?

The only reason I ask is that one of the few A guys in my area was the auto mechanics instructor at our local high school for about 35 years and one time while talking A's he mentioned this to me. I never followed up on it, but was curious if there is any basis to this.
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Old 01-26-2018, 03:48 AM   #19
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Any kind of antifreeze in the crankcase is harmful as it will erode any type of bearing material.

For polling purposes, I like the old fashioned ethylene glycol mixed with distilled water.
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Old 01-26-2018, 07:04 AM   #20
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

I'd stay away from the orange antifreeze that GM used for some time.
It left clumps of corrosion in the system.
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Old 01-26-2018, 07:55 AM   #21
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

I use a 50/50 mix of Sierra anti-freeze and distilled water.
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Old 01-26-2018, 08:32 AM   #22
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Quote:
Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe View Post
If you're running plain water in the summer, you have a self-propelled rust factory!
That's what I told several times (also on this forum). But apperently there are some folks who stick with plain water !
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Old 01-26-2018, 10:38 AM   #23
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Here's a chart:
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Anti-freeze chart.jpg (48.8 KB, 23 views)
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Old 01-26-2018, 11:15 AM   #24
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
I'd stay away from the orange antifreeze that GM used for some time.
It left clumps of corrosion in the system.
Yep. Dex-Cool. Nasty stuff!
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Old 01-26-2018, 11:22 AM   #25
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Default Re: Best Anti-Freeze

Modern Antifreeze (ethylene glycol type) has added Silicates to protect the Aluminum parts common in modern engines. The companies now make an antifreeze for older cars that uses less Silicates. Silicates can drop out in older engines leaving a green goo or even a solid material which plugs water jackets. Heavy duty truck antifreeze has Nitrites as an additive that is an oxygen scavenger to prevent corrosion. Either of the heavy duty or the older car type is good for Model A engines. All antifreezes made with Ethylene Glycol are the same only the additive package in them are different.
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