Leave engine/radiator empty?

[Bruce Adams]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

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

Please check your MODERN Car's antifreeze requirement.
There appears to be a real difference among red, yellow, green, etc. anti freeze formulas regarding engine alloys.

For my "A," I use Sierra in 50:50 mix. All knowledgeable boaters use antifreeze when storing, rather than draining.
Sierra is supposed to be non-toxic if leaked and minimizes foaming.

[CWilson]

Originally Posted by carlg

convenience.

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

+1!

[Terry, NJ]

Just to expand on this a little, If you have a de-humidifier, save the water. The water is condensate pulled from the air, essentially it's distilled water, great for batteries, cooling systems etc.
Terry

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

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

[H. L. Chauvin]

Our 1920's & 1930's adult Conservative Americans knew how to survive:

A clean gutter, a clean downspout, any clean container ..... all adjacent to any clean roof.

Just look up to Heaven, have a little patience, and wait .... with harmless "mineral free" water, God will take good care of your precious kidneys and your original Model A radiator at the same time for "Free".

Oh Ye Modern Uninformed Children of Little Faith.

Hope this helps.

[nhusa]

My 1919 Model T sat for 45 years with 50-50 in the radiator and motor.
I just drained and flushed it then refilled it with 50% tap water and 50% antifreeze.
There was no problem.
Unless your tap water is really bad why spend money for distilled water?
Distilled water is for batteries!

On the other hand the Model A sat for the same time period with the radiator hose disconnected.
The rodents decided that the radiator would be a good place to build a home and it took me four hours to get it clean.

[H. L. Chauvin]

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FWIW:

With the the millions of engine overheating gripes and radiator blockage gripes on so many vintage vehicle forums, including Model A forums, Mr. Victor W. Page tried to warn Model A owners about "harmful" radiator circulating water ........ they never listened in 1931, so why try to advise them today.

He warns in detail in his Model A Restoration book on page 301 & 302, about "any" water that contacts earth dissolves minerals & contains minerals.

The radiator incrustration the millions have reported thus far. was caused by carbonate of lime & sulphate of lime, which when heated, remained in the form of a powdery deposit in the small radiator tubes.

So, in 1931 he recommends distilled water or rain water.

The Model A radiator companies today understand Model A owners still think water from treatment plants or spring water from artesian wells is either distilled or was evaporated ........... fell from the sky .......... and never touched soil.

Why be concerned? ....... fill up and do like everybody else ..... & order your new radiator in a few years ......

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Jim Brierley

Re-torque the head first.

What is your rationale ? Wayne

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by JOHN CT

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

For the convenience. You could make your own ice cream and butter at .home but is it worth it ? Not in my mind, buy the 50/50 and forget the games. Wayne