Should I Use Water or Antifreeze Coolant?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Just in case you are on the fence as to using plain water, maybe this picture will help you decide.

Nothing like plain water to destroy a nice engine block and head.
Rusty water also destroys water pump seals and bearings/bushings.

[JD 1931]

I have always used 50/50 antifreeze ,no problem with it............

[CarlG]

The only time I would use plain water is to check for leaks. When no leaks are found, Then drain & replace with 50/50 antifreeze.

[ronn]

The only time I would use plain water is to check for leaks. When no leaks are found, Then drain & replace with 50/50 antifreeze.

water is thicker then antifreeze, so leaks are more readily detected with antifreeze.
at least that's what Ive found................

[JOHN CT]

Originally Posted by CarlG

The only time I would use plain water is to check for leaks. When no leaks are found, Then drain & replace with 50/50 antifreeze.

What kind of any freeze are you using? Are you mixing it yourself? Or are you buying the 50-50 Mix.
This year is going to be the first time I'll be leaving my model a in a nonheated garage. The winters here can 0-20 below I figure I ask you cuz being from Alaska you see much colder temperatures. Things like this happens when we love our hobby and we begin to collect more than one car.

[CarlG]

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Originally Posted by CarlG

The only time I would use plain water is to check for leaks. When no leaks are found, Then drain & replace with 50/50 antifreeze.

Originally Posted by ronn

water is thicker then antifreeze, so leaks are more readily detected with antifreeze.
at least that's what Ive found................

Originally Posted by JOHN CT

What kind of any freeze are you using? Are you mixing it yourself? Or are you buying the 50-50 Mix..

I only use water first to catch 90% of the leaks (if any). Saves antifreeze if there is a leak detected

I use the pre-mix 50/50. -- Prestone or Peak. (Whatever Costco or Sam's has)

[tbirdtbird]

Tom, you take the fun out of everything......
now there won't be any more antifreeze wars

i am sure some Evaporust would have got that out

[C26Pinelake]

Guess what Tom? What you say and demonstrate makes good sense but nobody is going to change. That is just the way Barners are ! Wayne

[Mitch//pa]

Yes but water is cheaper

[Y-Blockhead]

Has anyone tried Star Brite Star-Cool Premium Synthetic PG Engine Coolant? Biodegradable, Non-Toxic. just wondering how it works. http://www.starbrite.com/item/starco...coolant-464-oz

[ped58]

Is that a 5 cylinder model "A" block?

[tbirdtbird]

haha George Miller added 2 cylinders....if anyone could, it would be him

[Tom Wesenberg]

Actually it's from a 1948 Studebaker Champion, and it's being turned into a cutaway engine.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I have an idea that's what the rear of my block looked like in the spare temporary engine I installed in my 28. Even after several flushings and the 30 day vinegar treatment I'm still filtering out bits of rust. I made a cone shaped filter out of bug screen and folded a lip in the large end to catch the rust chunks. I'll take a picture of it the next time I remove it for cleaning.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Tom,

Nothing like actual experience vs. reading what others recommend.

Thanks for this engine photo which demonstrates the true results of past Model A Forum recommendations for using plain water for coolant.

As one can witness, over time, plain water for coolant is an excellent way to attack a cast iron cooling system which eventually leads to major clogged radiator problems, overheating, and increased engine wear.

Many will continue to use plain water for coolant ....... but, like continued tobacco use & cigarette use ....... it just takes quiet a bit more time for a modern day informed idiot to cultivate his own full blown lung cancer.

[updraught]

Was it in a boat?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by updraught

Was it in a boat?

No, but the owner said it's too bad to rebuild, so he's going to make a cutaway on 3 cylinders and run it on 3 for very short periods.

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

Hi Tom,

Nothing like actual experience vs. reading what others recommend.

Thanks for this engine photo which demonstrates the true results of past Model A Forum recommendations for using plain water for coolant.

As one can witness, over time, plain water for coolant is an excellent way to attack a cast iron cooling system which eventually leads to major clogged radiator problems, overheating, and increased engine wear.

Many will continue to use plain water for coolant ....... but, like continued tobacco use & cigarette use ....... it just takes quiet a bit more time for a modern day informed idiot to cultivate his own full blown lung cancer.

A wise man has spoken! Wayne.

[updraught]

I can see why you drink Coke.

[leo]

I would say that it is kind of hard to determine what any combination of water, antifreeze or etc. has on your engine block unless you can examine the inside walls.....

[V4F]

I use 50-50 + water wetter . I flush my system spring & fall .

[mcorrell]

I use 50/50 water/Sierra antifreeze which should be a little safer around pets and kids on "open" systems. We get wild temperature swings in the NC mountains which allows for sub 20 degree mornings and 50 plus afternoons, so the "old" cars are never really put away for winter like they were when I lived up north.

[ronn]

Tom, I am a glutten for punishment, but I leave vinegar for at least 6 weeks. seems to take the rust out of everything.

never found 4 weeks to be enough....................

[31Abone]

Antifreeze will leaks sooner than water, water cools better but boils at lower temp,i use rust inhibitor and water.

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by 31Abone

Antifreeze will leaks sooner than water, water cools better but boils at lower temp,i use rust inhibitor and water.

No thanks I'm good

[Y-Blockhead]

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Originally Posted by 31Abone

Antifreeze will leaks sooner than water, water cools better but boils at lower temp,i use rust inhibitor and water.

I've seen quite a few that use Rust Inhibitor and water that have some pretty nasty looking water in them. I think I'll stick with my 50/50 Peak and change it every two years.

This is one of those discussions that either side is set in their beliefs and I know I should just stay out of it. There is no way to convince the other side you're right... Haha. Like oil, air filters, etc.

[goodoldvic]

I used water and rust inhibitor in my new rebuilt engine for three head nut torque checks, then 50/50 prestone and water. And I use Rotella 15/40 a full flow oil filter, K&N air filter and use Marvel mystery oil on occasion.

[bettlesr]

I run 50/50 Sierra and water in mine year round. I leave a 180° thermostat in it also.

[Step-down]

I've been reading up on Evans waterless .

[Capt Quahog]

In both the 5-cylinder Mercedes diesel and 4-cylinder Model A Ford we use 50/50 PEAK brand coolant. Seems to work better than water with much less rust and radiator grunge.

[tbirdtbird]

"I've been reading up on Evans waterless"

thread on this about a year ago. You may want to check it out. The Evans does not boil until 320°, but your motor will be a toasted mess by then........

Another hoax

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by 31Abone

Antifreeze will leaks sooner than water, water cools better but boils at lower temp,i use rust inhibitor and water.

Where did you get this information from. Please name your source. Wayne

[Jim/GA]

Originally Posted by Step-down

I've been reading up on Evans waterless .

I run it in my S/W Town Sedan. No complaints. It never gets near 320 degrees in my car, so the engine is not harmed from using it. It will not fix a cooling problem (bad radiator, etc.). In fact, it has less thermal capacity than pure water, it is closer to 50-50 EG antifreeze. So cooling system needs to be good already.

After a long hard run at 55 MPH in the hot Texas summer, and then stopping at a red light, you can watch the coolant temperature really climb and nothing boils out. As soon as you start moving again, the temp drops back to 160-180 and all is good.

YMMV.