The Ford Barn

woodrow · 01-30-2015, 10:05 PM

The water in the radiator in our '31 is a little dirty and I'd like to flush it out. Just got the car a few days ago and it's been sitting for a while. What is the best product and process for doing that? Thanks

700rpm · 01-30-2015, 10:47 PM

My dad taught me 55 years ago to put a hose in the fill neck and run the engine with the drain cock open, balancing the in and out flow, and running the engine at the same time. After about 15 minutes you're gonna get all you're gonna get. Fill with fresh water and a little water soluable oil or anti-rust stuff, and go. If you've got petroleum residue in your cooling system, that's a different trouble.

Mike V. Florida · 01-30-2015, 11:39 PM

I made up a couple of adapters to fit the lower hoses. One has an adapter to receive water from a hose, the other to a hose for a drain. I force the water onto the bottom of the radiator and out the block. After 15 minutes I reverse the adapters and 15 minutes the other way.

Fill with your favorite whatever.

700rpm · 01-31-2015, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

I made up a couple of adapters to fit the lower hoses. One has an adapter to receive water from a hose, the other to a hose for a drain. I force the water onto the bottom of the radiator and out the block. After 15 minutes I reverse the adapters and 15 minutes the other way.

Fill with your favorite whatever.

I've done that too. It works well.

woodrow · 01-31-2015, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the help. Sounds easy enough and makes sense. I'll get that done today. Thanks again

WestCoast · 02-01-2015, 03:03 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

there is an adaptor sold at most auto parts stores, it makes it possible to hook water and air to it so when it is put in a radiator hose connection on the radiator you can run water and air thru the radiator to create a turbulence to help remove deposits , just like blowing dirt off your work bench, run the water and air backwards thru the radiator, that's the way the shops do it, do the same thing with the motor, with the radiator hoses off, hook the tool up and run every thing in the opposit direction the water pump sends the water thru the engine, it works a bunch better than just the water hose. and to add to my post I will say there is not a product sold on the market that will remove rust ,shale or any thing else, save your money, vinegar works as well if not better than the products in the stores

pat in Santa Cruz · 02-01-2015, 04:11 PM

after flushing with water until it runs clean, put in a tablespoon or two of cascade dish detergent and drive it around for a while, then drain. . This will scrub out the grease from the water pump lubrications. Once the grease is removed, vinegar will have better access to attack the rust.

mcorrell · 02-03-2015, 11:24 AM

Vinegar works well but be sure to clean up any spills or splashes from leaks or leaking water pump immediately as it will damage your paint (even base coat clear coat) and require a good buffing to fix. Guess how I know?
I had all kinds of little rust spots on the firewall and in and around the louvers on the hood panels that I attempted to wash off after one week to no avail.

Barber31 · 02-03-2015, 11:33 AM

After I did the vinegar flush, my head gasket started to leak. Don't know if the vinegar caused it or it just coincidentally started about the same time.

Mitch//pa · 02-03-2015, 11:43 AM

I use evaporust for cooling systems...
Does not hurt the paint or internals...
I guess if your frugal you take your chances

01-30-2015, 10:05 PM	#1
woodrow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 141	Model A radiator flush question The water in the radiator in our '31 is a little dirty and I'd like to flush it out. Just got the car a few days ago and it's been sitting for a while. What is the best product and process for doing that? Thanks

01-30-2015, 10:47 PM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Model A radiator flush question My dad taught me 55 years ago to put a hose in the fill neck and run the engine with the drain cock open, balancing the in and out flow, and running the engine at the same time. After about 15 minutes you're gonna get all you're gonna get. Fill with fresh water and a little water soluable oil or anti-rust stuff, and go. If you've got petroleum residue in your cooling system, that's a different trouble. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

01-30-2015, 11:39 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Model A radiator flush question I made up a couple of adapters to fit the lower hoses. One has an adapter to receive water from a hose, the other to a hose for a drain. I force the water onto the bottom of the radiator and out the block. After 15 minutes I reverse the adapters and 15 minutes the other way. Fill with your favorite whatever. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-31-2015, 07:55 AM	#5
woodrow Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 141	Re: Model A radiator flush question Thanks for the help. Sounds easy enough and makes sense. I'll get that done today. Thanks again

02-01-2015, 03:03 PM	#6
WestCoast Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: oroville calif Posts: 893	Re: Model A radiator flush question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) there is an adaptor sold at most auto parts stores, it makes it possible to hook water and air to it so when it is put in a radiator hose connection on the radiator you can run water and air thru the radiator to create a turbulence to help remove deposits , just like blowing dirt off your work bench, run the water and air backwards thru the radiator, that's the way the shops do it, do the same thing with the motor, with the radiator hoses off, hook the tool up and run every thing in the opposit direction the water pump sends the water thru the engine, it works a bunch better than just the water hose. and to add to my post I will say there is not a product sold on the market that will remove rust ,shale or any thing else, save your money, vinegar works as well if not better than the products in the stores

02-01-2015, 04:11 PM	#7
pat in Santa Cruz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: santa cruz, calif Posts: 2,011	Re: Model A radiator flush question after flushing with water until it runs clean, put in a tablespoon or two of cascade dish detergent and drive it around for a while, then drain. . This will scrub out the grease from the water pump lubrications. Once the grease is removed, vinegar will have better access to attack the rust.

02-03-2015, 11:24 AM	#8
mcorrell Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Canotn, NC Posts: 163	Re: Model A radiator flush question Vinegar works well but be sure to clean up any spills or splashes from leaks or leaking water pump immediately as it will damage your paint (even base coat clear coat) and require a good buffing to fix. Guess how I know? I had all kinds of little rust spots on the firewall and in and around the louvers on the hood panels that I attempted to wash off after one week to no avail. __________________ 1929 (early) Model A Special Coupe - restored to original 1964 Buick Wildcat convertible

02-03-2015, 11:33 AM	#9
Barber31 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 687	Re: Model A radiator flush question After I did the vinegar flush, my head gasket started to leak. Don't know if the vinegar caused it or it just coincidentally started about the same time.

02-03-2015, 11:43 AM	#10
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Model A radiator flush question I use evaporust for cooling systems... Does not hurt the paint or internals... I guess if your frugal you take your chances