Good Antifreeze to use

[jkeesey]

I tried a search and couldn't really find my answer. I know recent discoveries have shown that certain antifreezes can cause harm to our old engines and radiators. Where is a list of the good ones to use? I just got some Ethylene Glycol from a local store but am afraid to use it since non of the IAT or OAT or AEIOU are listed on the bottle. It says its good for 5 years which is what scares me. It used to be the cheapest antifreeze was made for the older engines, now I have no idea.

[jm29henry]

my opion DO NOT USE DEX COOL THE ORANGE ANTI FREEZE !!!I recommend any green 50 -50 pre mix llke peek or prestone .never mix the green with the orange together .the dex cool was made for gm cars

[28ACoupe]

Evans Cooling is about the best on the market.

[jkeesey]

Originally Posted by jm29henry

my opion DO NOT USE DEX COOL THE ORANGE ANTI FREEZE !!!I recommend any green 50 -50 pre mix llke peek or prestone .never mix the green with the orange together .the dex cool was made for gm cars

The only problem is the color doesn't matter anymore. From what I was reading some of the companies that have the green color are the same make up as the Dexcool.

[Lance in St Louis]

I use Preston Low Tox or Peak Sierra. They are made with propylene glycol. I was told they are less prone to foaming. I don't know about that, but they are not as toxic to animals as ethylene glycol based anti-freeze.

Lance

[jkeesey]

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This is what I have found so far.

IAT type antifreeze products to seek out
IAT or Inorganic Acid Technology
Ethylene glycol based, lasts for 3 years or 36K miles, color = green
Peak, Peak HD Sierra, Zerex Original

OAT or Organic Acid Technology [to avoid]
Propylene glycol based good for 3-5 years, color = orange or yellow (less poisonous than IAT)
Anything labeled “extended life” or “extended service”, Dex-Cool (GM brand), Zerex G-05, Zerex Asian Vehicle, Most Prestone products
HOAT or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology
color = yellow or, possibly, green, pink, blue, red or orange

[mass A man]

j, I tried regular green Prestone antifreeze after I switched from water with rust inhibitor in the past, but the Prestone started foaming really bad. Note; My stock '31 has no issues with overheating or crud in engine. I run a new Berg's radiator which is great. I read right here on Fordbarn some time ago about the Sierra antifreeze, which I'm running now and there's been absolutely NO foaming or any other problems. Hope this helps.

[RobertB]

If you live in a place like me where the water supply is well water and chock full of minerals, you might want to do what the Mercedes and Porsche folk do and use distilled water with your anti-freeze.

It's reasonably cheap at the grocery store and comes in gallon jugs to put in the spares trunk.

[Bob Bidonde]

The year-round coolant in my Model A is tap water plus 1/2-jar of Barr's Stop Leak (original with pellets). To date, the system has not frozen down to 5 degrees F. No opverheating either.

Barr's Stop Leak is a water soluble oil, so it lubricates the water pump too. Radiator flow has not been impeded. The pellets stop small leaks, even at the water pump. Zero head gasket weeping.

It turns the coolant a milky-beige color.

[Doug in NJ]

I use Sierra because it is non-toxic. My cat thanks me.
I have never had a foaming problem with it.

Doug

[Tom Wesenberg]

I wonder why some people have foaming problems when using regular antifreeze?
That's all I use and have never had a problem.

[Pat Martone]

I also have had good luck with the 50/50 mix of Prestone and water.
I have not experienced any foaming, with either of the 2 radiators I've had in my car. My current radiator is a brand new (not rebuilt) Berg's heavy duty radiator based on his new design of last year or the year before.