The Ford Barn

sidevalve8ba · 03-08-2016, 04:48 PM

I have one of these sacrificial anodes that I would like to make use of to perhaps "save" my aluminum cylinder heads. Anyone got any tips on choice spots to locate one of these in the cooling system? That one piece of wire looks a bit fragile to me.

petehoovie · 03-08-2016, 04:49 PM

Can you post a picture of what you have?....

adileo · 03-08-2016, 04:53 PM

I haven't used this but I would think a good place would be in a open/extra port where the tempature sensor goes. There is hopefully one capped off with a bolt.

I have a boat and the plug size looks to be about the same as the zinc I use there.

jetmek · 03-08-2016, 04:54 PM

I Soldered a bung in rad top tank that accepts an anode for a water heater.

sidevalve8ba · 03-08-2016, 05:02 PM

This is it. This one came from Mac's.

Ronnie · 03-08-2016, 05:07 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When the correct coolant is used there isn't any requirement at all.

R

Bulligen · 03-08-2016, 05:14 PM

Hi Ronnie, What would you use as correct coolant? Thank you , Rog

petehoovie · 03-08-2016, 05:26 PM

You wouldn't be asking the question if the anode came with instructions so I'm thinking that it has to be attached to the radiator cap some how. On my '34, I'm thinking about installing an anode something like the one pictured below into the water pump orifice where the temp. sensor would normally go....

adileo · 03-08-2016, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petehoovie

You wouldn't be asking the question if the anode came with instructions so I'm think that it has to be attached to the radiator cap some how. On my '34, I'm thinking about installing an anode something like the one pictured below into the water pump orifice where the temp. sensor would normally go....

Yes that's the type used on boats. Also I don't think the type of antifreeze you use matters. It has to do with the two diffrent metals with liquid. Boats sit in both fresh and salt water and you need zinc.

Mho

Ronnieroadster · 03-08-2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adileo

Yes that's the type used on boats. Also I don't think the type of antifreeze you use matters. It has to do with the two diffrent metals with liquid. Boats sit in both fresh and salt water and you need zinc.

Mho

Thats exactly the type of anode I use I place them in the block drain holes or the pipe thread hole in a water pump.

51 MERC-CT · 03-08-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidevalve8ba

I have one of these sacrificial anodes that I would like to make use of to perhaps "save" my aluminum cylinder heads. Anyone got any tips on choice spots to locate one of these in the cooling system? That one piece of wire looks a bit fragile to me.

It's meant to go into one or both of the upper radiator hoses.

TJ · 03-08-2016, 06:28 PM

You can also use a Rad Cap which has the anode attached by a spring with a plastic cup which holds the anode. Those caps are about $15. I have them in my cars. regardless of the type of coolant it's amazing how the electrolysis attacks the anode. Coolant will not totally protect an engine the has different metals attached.

Ronnie · 03-08-2016, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulligen

Hi Ronnie, What would you use as correct coolant? Thank you , Rog

What do you have in your daily driver? Any oem or aftermarket antifreeze that has an oem endorsement.Usually written on the label.
Prestone lo tox,Peak,Honda and many more would be a good choice.
You would be hard pressed today to not have a car that wasn't a cast iron block with aluminum heads.Has been that way for the last 40+ years.There are millions running around without an anode in them.Aluminum heads on a flatty aren't something new special.Don't overthink this anode idea. "LOL" My2¢

R

El Rat · 03-08-2016, 07:42 PM

I think the anodes are a good idea. They are inexpensive and there is no down side. Maybe it's belt and suspenders but it is zero risk and has potential benefits.

ford38v8 · 03-08-2016, 08:19 PM

Ronnie, you are hereby appointed as Official Engine Disassembly Man for Flathead Fords having aluminum heads.

19Fordy · 03-08-2016, 09:14 PM

51MERC-CT: Would that anode also work if it was suspended inside the radiator top tank
from the radiator cap? Would it also work if it was suspended from a nylon cord instead of a piece of metal?

Ronnie · 03-08-2016, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Ronnie, you are hereby appointed as Official Engine Disassembly Man for Flathead Fords having aluminum heads.

OMG Wtf is that about!!

Anodes and disassembly???

Those old dogs never had any good antifreeze in them that is the problem.

Anodes wouldn't help that at all.

State your case"LOL"

R

fourfords · 03-09-2016, 12:04 AM

Kearney Pattern and foundry made my correct '33 heads. They would sell their heads to me only if I used a composite head gasket. citing electrolysis. A metal gasket promotes deterioration of the metals Call 'em and ask them some questions. 408-2937414

willowbilly3 · 03-09-2016, 01:37 AM

It never hurts to use one but I agree that if the coolant is maintained properly, you should never need one. Electrolysis only sets in when the ph becomes acidic. I always test with a volt meter. I haven't read any industry standard for years but heard once anything near .250 volts and you should do a flush and refill. I never let an engine with aluminum get that far, .150 volt at most. Test by tester neg to ground and pos immersed in the coolant.

john in illinois · 03-09-2016, 08:35 AM

What about no-rosion coolant additive? I have read good things on the forum.

http://www.no-rosion.com/

John

03-08-2016, 04:48 PM	#1
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 841	Sacrificial anode attachment....... I have one of these sacrificial anodes that I would like to make use of to perhaps "save" my aluminum cylinder heads. Anyone got any tips on choice spots to locate one of these in the cooling system? That one piece of wire looks a bit fragile to me. __________________ The more I learn about new automobiles, the more I value my old ones.

03-08-2016, 04:49 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,081	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... Can you post a picture of what you have?.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

03-08-2016, 04:53 PM	#3
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... I haven't used this but I would think a good place would be in a open/extra port where the tempature sensor goes. There is hopefully one capped off with a bolt. I have a boat and the plug size looks to be about the same as the zinc I use there.

03-08-2016, 04:54 PM	#4
jetmek Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: albany Posts: 465	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... I Soldered a bung in rad top tank that accepts an anode for a water heater. __________________ engine and component overhauls my specialty! Website- www.godevilgarage.com

03-08-2016, 05:02 PM	#5
sidevalve8ba Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 841	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... This is it. This one came from Mac's. __________________ The more I learn about new automobiles, the more I value my old ones.

03-08-2016, 05:07 PM	#6
Ronnie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Where it snows Posts: 2,058	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When the correct coolant is used there isn't any requirement at all. R

03-08-2016, 05:14 PM	#7
Bulligen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Elgin Illinois Posts: 736	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... Hi Ronnie, What would you use as correct coolant? Thank you , Rog

03-08-2016, 05:26 PM	#8
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,081	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... You wouldn't be asking the question if the anode came with instructions so I'm thinking that it has to be attached to the radiator cap some how. On my '34, I'm thinking about installing an anode something like the one pictured below into the water pump orifice where the temp. sensor would normally go.... __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 Last edited by petehoovie; 03-08-2016 at 05:58 PM.

03-08-2016, 06:28 PM	#12
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,029	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... You can also use a Rad Cap which has the anode attached by a spring with a plastic cup which holds the anode. Those caps are about $15. I have them in my cars. regardless of the type of coolant it's amazing how the electrolysis attacks the anode. Coolant will not totally protect an engine the has different metals attached.

03-08-2016, 07:42 PM	#14
El Rat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 260	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... I think the anodes are a good idea. They are inexpensive and there is no down side. Maybe it's belt and suspenders but it is zero risk and has potential benefits.

03-08-2016, 08:19 PM	#15
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,635	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... Ronnie, you are hereby appointed as Official Engine Disassembly Man for Flathead Fords having aluminum heads. __________________ Alan

03-08-2016, 09:14 PM	#16
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... 51MERC-CT: Would that anode also work if it was suspended inside the radiator top tank from the radiator cap? Would it also work if it was suspended from a nylon cord instead of a piece of metal?

03-09-2016, 12:04 AM	#18
fourfords Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA. Posts: 413	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... Kearney Pattern and foundry made my correct '33 heads. They would sell their heads to me only if I used a composite head gasket. citing electrolysis. A metal gasket promotes deterioration of the metals Call 'em and ask them some questions. 408-2937414

03-09-2016, 01:37 AM	#19
willowbilly3 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Black Hills, SD Posts: 577	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... It never hurts to use one but I agree that if the coolant is maintained properly, you should never need one. Electrolysis only sets in when the ph becomes acidic. I always test with a volt meter. I haven't read any industry standard for years but heard once anything near .250 volts and you should do a flush and refill. I never let an engine with aluminum get that far, .150 volt at most. Test by tester neg to ground and pos immersed in the coolant.

03-09-2016, 08:35 AM	#20
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,183	Re: Sacrificial anode attachment....... What about no-rosion coolant additive? I have read good things on the forum. http://www.no-rosion.com/ John