Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

So heres a question and situation:

Situation is I got my AA frame running beautifully (video to come) since I replaced all bearings in the trans (no more thudding/clacking) and cleaned up the teeth. No weird noises and smooth as warm butter driving it.
I also while it was down I installed an oversize throttle shaft due to some wear on mine and couldnt get it to idle the nice model a pakita packita packita and flushed the block and radiator out so it doesnt overheat anymore.

Now I start on the body work and finding some ever critical parts so the frame sits. I just put pure water in it for testing purposes (much easier to dump out if I had another problem).

I plan to drain all water out so no fear of freezing.

But here is the question:

Should I leave it bone empty till next spring?

OR

Should I fill with 50/50 antifreeze?

I have been advised to fill with antifreeze (green stuff) even if the engine just sits - cant rust that way.

Also a side question : any tricks to get the dang ford repo hose clamps to seal?

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

50/50 to prevent rust

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Yes. Replace them with modern hose clamps. After a while, the hoses will fit so tight, you won't even need hose clamps anymore. At which time, you can reinstall the repro hose clamps.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

If you run it with plain water add a can of water pump lubricant to the water to stop corrosion and lube the water pump. I would use antifreeze and not drain it at all. If you use distilled water in place of tap or well water your should be able to leave the antifreeze in for a couple of years.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Hi Sea,

For quite a few years Prestone Antifreeze Concentrate has advertised recommending changing their Prestone antifreeze every 5 years ...... or every 150,000 miles ...... nothing like a win-win protection.

For years, distilled or rain water was recommended for all vintage radiators because neither will leave harmful mineral deposits therin.

Also, often heard people who only drink pure rain water have far less possibilities of developing kidney stones ..... but, most people never listen ..... they pour well water in their Model A radiators and wonder why their Model A cooling systems develop mineral type kidney stones. LOL

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

yea we live about 1-2 blocks from the towns water treatment plant so our water doesnt need a water softner.

Alright sounds like 50/50 it is. Farm store has the green stuff concentrate on sale for $9 a gallon.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

make sure you are buying full anti-freeze not the 50/50 mix. :)

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Agree .... buying 50/50 mix antifreeze makes about as much sense as going to a local expensive bar to buy mixed drinks to bring to a family Christmas Party.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Re-torque the head first.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Why do people use a premixed 50/50? Isn't cheaper to purchase straight antifreeze and mix it with distilled water yourself:confused:

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Hi John,

Maybe same reason so many buy already prepared quickly fixed canned biscuits.

Some have lead in their drinking water ...... some slowly develop lead elsewhere.

Looks like at the rate we appear to be headed, maybe "everybody" will soon be demanding battery operated shopping carts at Wal-Mart.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Convenience.

By the time you buy straight antifreeze, and then buy distilled water, the difference in price isn't all that great. YMMV

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Buy 2 Gallons of anti-freeze concentrate and 2 Gallons of distilled water. Put one gallon of antifreeze, then one gallon of water in the radiator. Now add about half of your second gallon of antifreeze to your radiator. Then top off your radiator with second gallon of water. Now fill the half empty jug of antifreeze with the remaining water. Run the engine to mix it up. While the engine's warming up, recycle the three extra plastic bottles and put your "premixed" gallon aside for topping off the system as needed. I also write the date I mixed it on the jug, I don't know if it goes bad but after a year I figure it's toast. On hot days I top the radiator for good measure, the extra gallon lasts me about a year. Also that extra gallon has saved friends and strangers alike over the years. I keep it in the trunk of my car.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Yea I can see myself using full strength at the shop with distilled water. Lol... NOT....

50/50 in 55 gal drums is CHEEP...

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

What is the cooling system capacity for an A? i was going to buy several gallons of it to do my modern anyways.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Full capacity is 3 gallons, so you should use more than 2 1/2 gallons. I usually use a gallon of water and 1 1/2 gallons of antifreeze.

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

I find that moonshine gets me through the winter....and the car too.. ;-)

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

Hey Brother I already answered this for you.
Good Luck

Re: Leave engine/radiator empty?
 

My take on it... It doesn't matter if it is only over the winter. Many drain it , thinking it is only for 3 months but, do not get back to it for years... Rust is a problem. The other side... People put antifreeze in it and ignore it, eventually it may leak into the engine and ruin the Babbitt. Just my opinion, diving it prevents many problems.