The Ford Barn

36tudordeluxe · 03-16-2018, 03:27 PM

Would running a #10 ground wire from radiator to frame help prevent electrolysis?

J Franklin · 03-16-2018, 03:37 PM

Maybe, you can also buy sacrificial anodes to stop destruction.

petehoovie · 03-16-2018, 03:44 PM

Here's a good read on Electrolysis > http://sancarlosradiator.com/electrolysis.htm

and > http://www.voltage-drop.com/

36tudordeluxe · 03-16-2018, 04:16 PM

Pete read the articles and did not know about the "flushing machine" as described, is this a machine that most radiator shops would have; if so on my way way over to nearest radiator shop.
I see no mention of "grounding" as a solution to my problem and will abandon that idea.

petehoovie · 03-16-2018, 04:40 PM

Good read on 'Flushing' > http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/VoltageDrop/flush.htm

rotorwrench · 03-16-2018, 05:38 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

At any given time, greater San Antonio TX might have one radiator shop that can repair a copper/brass radiator or do a recore job. I've seen 5 go away in the last twenty years and even then there was no more than one operating at any given time. Now days, a radiator shop is a store that sells aftermarket plastic/aluminum radiators for modern makes & models.

Crankster · 03-16-2018, 11:57 PM

Electrolysis, or stray voltage? Two different issues. Not trying to be pedantic but words mean things. Dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte produce a weak current, this is to be avoided but bonding jumpers won't help here. Stray voltage is an interesting issue and can cause strange problems. Even static buildup can cause difficult problems to diagnose and result in expensive repairs.

Brian · 03-17-2018, 12:06 AM

Given the price of heads etc, I think anything we can do is cheap insurance...I personally run a 50% antifreeze mix, sacrificial anodes, numerous earth straps, even one of those rubber earth straps onto the ground to prevent static build up.

36tudordeluxe · 03-17-2018, 01:47 AM

Does the anode go in the radiator?

Brian · 03-17-2018, 03:13 AM

Easiest way is to fit zinc pencils into 3/8 NPT plugs, [they'll look like temp gauge sender units], and screw them in the heads opposite the temp senders

37don · 03-17-2018, 08:53 AM

Google BoatZinks.com and they will have what you need. I have a zink in each head. They make a brass plug that will screw into your head and is threaded for thier zink. They come in several configurations.
Regards, Don

Mike51Merc · 03-17-2018, 09:04 AM

Your radiator is already grounded by being bolted to the frame. The electrolysis being discussed is an electro-chemical reaction and not related to the electrical circuitry of the car.

36tudordeluxe · 03-17-2018, 11:32 AM

Found an anode that screws into the the bottom of radiator where drains go, ordered two.
Thanks for the help guys.

36tudordeluxe · 03-17-2018, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 37don

Google BoatZinks.com and they will have what you need. I have a zink in each head. They make a brass plug that will screw into your head and is threaded for thier zink. They come in several configurations.
Regards, Don

Went there and says "domain for sale?"

TJ · 03-17-2018, 12:25 PM

Try a radiator cap called a "Rad Cap". It comes with the sacrificial anode attached.

36tudordeluxe · 03-17-2018, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

Try a radiator cap called a "Rad Cap". It comes with the sacrificial anode attached.

Tried one but wouldn't fit my '36 radiator.

AnthonyG · 03-17-2018, 04:30 PM

Previous to this thread Id seen a few talking about the galvanic corrosion but didn't realize it was this prevalent? Do most Flatty's experience this? Mine was built 5 yr's ago, I have a Brass-works radiator solid copper and brass. aluminum heads, never really thought much about it. From reading things suggested it sounds like the electrolytic corrosion hit's the least noble metal so the sacrificial anode's the weakest link? Thinking as the radiator is brass / copper it's pretty tough so the aluminum heads are the weak point needing protection. I'm deducing the anode which fit in the threaded hole for temp sensors would be the best bet?

mfirth · 03-17-2018, 05:52 PM

Any pictures of this stuff ? Thanks guys. And, how do aluminum radiators figure into all this? mike

36tudordeluxe · 03-17-2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfirth

Any pictures of this stuff ? Thanks guys. And, how do aluminum radiators figure into all this? mike

Go to Flex-a-lite 32060

40cpe · 03-17-2018, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36tudordeluxe

Go to Flex-a-lite 32060

This company has a good price on them.

https://www.rotometals.com/flex-a-li...4-npt-x-1-3-4/

03-16-2018, 03:37 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,958	Re: Electrolysis solution? Maybe, you can also buy sacrificial anodes to stop destruction.

03-16-2018, 03:44 PM	#3
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,066	Re: Electrolysis solution? Here's a good read on Electrolysis > http://sancarlosradiator.com/electrolysis.htm and > http://www.voltage-drop.com/ __________________ 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

03-16-2018, 04:16 PM	#4
36tudordeluxe Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,260	Re: Electrolysis solution? Pete read the articles and did not know about the "flushing machine" as described, is this a machine that most radiator shops would have; if so on my way way over to nearest radiator shop. I see no mention of "grounding" as a solution to my problem and will abandon that idea.

03-16-2018, 04:40 PM	#5
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,066	Re: Electrolysis solution? Good read on 'Flushing' > http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/VoltageDrop/flush.htm __________________ 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

03-16-2018, 05:38 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,418	Re: Electrolysis solution? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) At any given time, greater San Antonio TX might have one radiator shop that can repair a copper/brass radiator or do a recore job. I've seen 5 go away in the last twenty years and even then there was no more than one operating at any given time. Now days, a radiator shop is a store that sells aftermarket plastic/aluminum radiators for modern makes & models.

03-16-2018, 03:27 PM	#1
36tudordeluxe Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,260	Electrolysis solution? Would running a #10 ground wire from radiator to frame help prevent electrolysis?

03-16-2018, 11:57 PM	#7
Crankster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 563	Re: Electrolysis solution? Electrolysis, or stray voltage? Two different issues. Not trying to be pedantic but words mean things. Dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte produce a weak current, this is to be avoided but bonding jumpers won't help here. Stray voltage is an interesting issue and can cause strange problems. Even static buildup can cause difficult problems to diagnose and result in expensive repairs.

03-17-2018, 12:06 AM	#8
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,825	Re: Electrolysis solution? Given the price of heads etc, I think anything we can do is cheap insurance...I personally run a 50% antifreeze mix, sacrificial anodes, numerous earth straps, even one of those rubber earth straps onto the ground to prevent static build up. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

03-17-2018, 01:47 AM	#9
36tudordeluxe Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,260	Re: Electrolysis solution? Does the anode go in the radiator?

03-17-2018, 03:13 AM	#10
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,825	Re: Electrolysis solution? Easiest way is to fit zinc pencils into 3/8 NPT plugs, [they'll look like temp gauge sender units], and screw them in the heads opposite the temp senders __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

03-17-2018, 08:53 AM	#11
37don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Kingstown, R.I. Posts: 262	Re: Electrolysis solution? Google BoatZinks.com and they will have what you need. I have a zink in each head. They make a brass plug that will screw into your head and is threaded for thier zink. They come in several configurations. Regards, Don

03-17-2018, 09:04 AM	#12
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: Electrolysis solution? Your radiator is already grounded by being bolted to the frame. The electrolysis being discussed is an electro-chemical reaction and not related to the electrical circuitry of the car.

03-17-2018, 11:32 AM	#13
36tudordeluxe Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,260	Re: Electrolysis solution? Found an anode that screws into the the bottom of radiator where drains go, ordered two. Thanks for the help guys.

03-17-2018, 12:25 PM	#15
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,024	Re: Electrolysis solution? Try a radiator cap called a "Rad Cap". It comes with the sacrificial anode attached.

03-17-2018, 04:30 PM	#17
AnthonyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Pa. Posts: 2,162	Re: Electrolysis solution? Previous to this thread Id seen a few talking about the galvanic corrosion but didn't realize it was this prevalent? Do most Flatty's experience this? Mine was built 5 yr's ago, I have a Brass-works radiator solid copper and brass. aluminum heads, never really thought much about it. From reading things suggested it sounds like the electrolytic corrosion hit's the least noble metal so the sacrificial anode's the weakest link? Thinking as the radiator is brass / copper it's pretty tough so the aluminum heads are the weak point needing protection. I'm deducing the anode which fit in the threaded hole for temp sensors would be the best bet? __________________ Nomad

03-17-2018, 05:52 PM	#18
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 986	Re: Electrolysis solution? Any pictures of this stuff ? Thanks guys. And, how do aluminum radiators figure into all this? mike

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