Radiator Additive

[Gene F]

Antifreeze tends to foam. I hear that Siera stuff does not foam though. Do they still make it?

[mcgarrett]

1crosscut,
I don't disagree with your logic, but we just can't seem to find out why my friends car boils over with 50/50 anti freeze and doesn't with water & coolant additive. I agree that the symptoms indicate that he has a mechanical problem somewhere, but we just haven't found it yet. My first thought was a blown head gasket or cracked block, but when things simmer down (pardon the pun ) after switching out the coolant we don't know what to make of it - the problem seems to go away. Maybe time will eventually reveal the problem.

[1crosscut]

mcgarrett
Have you placed a probe type dial thermometer (meat thermometer) directly into the coolant to see what the actual temperature of the coolant is? You could use a infrared thermometer but I'm not particularly sold on their accuracy for this.

I have found that a 50/50 mix of coolant will expand a fair amount as it gets hot. Is there a chance it is just expanding enough to mimic an overheat situation?

Knowing the actual temperature of the coolant is a key first step.

Pulling air from the radiator through combustion gas test fluid available from any auto parts store will tell you if a head gasket or crack is the problem.

[mcgarrett]

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

mcgarrett
Have you placed a probe type dial thermometer (meat thermometer) directly into the coolant to see what the actual temperature of the coolant is? You could use a infrared thermometer but I'm not particularly sold on their accuracy for this.

I have found that a 50/50 mix of coolant will expand a fair amount as it gets hot. Is there a chance it is just expanding enough to mimic an overheat situation?

Knowing the actual temperature of the coolant is a key first step.

Pulling air from the radiator through combustion gas test fluid available from any auto parts store will tell you if a head gasket or crack is the problem.

We haven't used the thermometer yet, but we have one and plan to do that next. That should tell us something.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

mcgarrett
Have you placed a probe type dial thermometer (meat thermometer) directly into the coolant to see what the actual temperature of the coolant is? You could use a infrared thermometer but I'm not particularly sold on their accuracy for this.

I have found that a 50/50 mix of coolant will expand a fair amount as it gets hot. Is there a chance it is just expanding enough to mimic an overheat situation?

Knowing the actual temperature of the coolant is a key first step.

I would be curious to what the actual coolant temperature is also. As I stated earlier, a 50/50 mix shouldn't boil until it reaches ~225° F., a good 13° higher than water.

[SHEC]

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Just a note of interest. Our ‘30 Deluxe Coupe still has its original 93 year old radiator. It has been boiled out three times on my watch - since the car was purchased from the original owner by my Dad in 1958. We use distilled water, an anti rust additive and in the past we did use the soluble oil mentioned by others. That came from our trusted “A” mechanic and the engines master rebuilder with his trusted Oklahoma experience and recommendation.
I drive the stock car as it should be driven
( respectfully and steadily) and it does not heat up or burp water as I have seen some other cars do.
This is a western car and it has never left it’s home state. In the end we all go with what we know and whatever works best for our needs. So one more story and more input for the original guidance seekers question.
Best of luck ✔️🇺🇸

[1crosscut]

What was the reason for boiling it out three times?

[History]

Watching Jay Leno and he mentioned “Evans Waterless Coolant”. Apparently it’s good stuff according to him, of you use it? It’s expensive

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by SHEC

Just a note of interest. Our ‘30 Deluxe Coupe still has its original 93 year old radiator. It has been boiled out three times on my watch - We use distilled water, an anti rust additive and in the past we did use the soluble oil mentioned by others.

Originally Posted by 1crosscut

What was the reason for boiling it out three times?

Good question...

[Dino's A]

After inheriting my father's Model A, it had sat in the garage for
20 years, with distilled water and soluble oil. When I started to
revive the motor to start it, I pulled the radiator because I thought
after all that time, a shop should clean it out and check it.

Guess what? The shop called me and told me to come get it. The
guy said it's clean and to come get it. That was 10 years ago. I did
change the radiator hoses were changed out just because they were
old.

This soluble oil addition is nothing more than the anti rust products
you all were buying. Turn the label around the bottle and it will
say it contains soluble oil.

To this day, she runs "Cool as a Cucumber" .

[SHEC]

65 years of good stewardship and maintenance. No repairs made just servicing and starting off with a clean slate following the restoration and engine rebuild 1979. Purchased from the original widowed lady owner that drove it around town only so per Dad, he had the radiator shop check it out for any potential sludge. That was 1958.
12 years ago I had the same shop owner service it for safety and as a caution due to its age. The gent was amazed at how well it was doing. The service fee was very moderate also.
Must be a working plan as it has the original radiator that it left the SFA
San Francisco Assembly plant with in 1930. How many Ford A’s still have the originals as built? That would be interesting to know…….
Hope that answers the inquiries-
Be well -
All the best - ✔️🇺🇸