Water or 50/50 Mix for Summer

[Antique_iron]

This is an often-misunderstood topic because open, non-pressurized systems in automotive cooling systems are ancient history. Adding glycol does not raise the boiling point.

[GPierce]

If you are going to post data from an external source, please also post the source. I am not interested in reading data from a Facebook source or other unnamed internet sources.��

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Antique_iron

This is an often-misunderstood topic because open, non-pressurized systems in automotive cooling systems are ancient history. Adding glycol does not raise the boiling point.

Say we have two liquids in glass beakers. One liquid (water) boils at 212°F at sea level. Another liquid (ethylene glycol) boils at 264°F at sea level. Doesn't it stand to reason that if you mix them, the boiling point of the mixture is somewhere between their boiling points?? at sea level?

I think I'm done with this topic...

Gotta finish packing, off to the CCRG Jamboree.

[nkaminar]

Antique Iron can verify that the boiling point is increased by some antifreeze in a pan on the stove and a meat thermometer. There is nothing like experimental data to verify or disprove some assumptions. Depending on the altitude where he lives it would be good to do the same experiment using just water.

Of course that does not mean that a 50/50 mixture will cool the car better because of the reduced specific heat of the mixture. That is another experiment.

[Herb Concord Ca]

Y-Blockhead, also going to the Jamboree, see you there.

[Y-Blockhead]

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Dupe

[Y-Blockhead]

Herb, hope to see you here. We just arrived at the hotel. It is really windy here in Santa Maria.

[Model A Ron]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"][COLOR="DarkGreen"]Say we have two liquids in glass beakers. One liquid (water) boils at 212°F at sea level. Another liquid (ethylene glycol) boils at 264°F at sea level. Doesn't it stand to reason that if you mix them, the boiling point of the mixture is somewhere between their boiling points??

Maybe glycol acts different when exposed to antique cast iron lol

[arnhemmer]

After a new rebuild and radiator recore, 50-50 mix has been working fine for the last 8 years. Never runs hot and no more putting up with rust in the system.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by Antique_iron

This is an often-misunderstood topic because open, non-pressurized systems in automotive cooling systems are ancient history. Adding glycol does not raise the boiling point.

I was not aware that my cooling system had any power at all, but this unknown quote claims that coolant can evaporate and "lose power"!! I think that someone is talking through his hat!

[nkaminar]

Antifreeze in the 1920's was alcohol which did evaporate. It had to be replenished on a regular basis. A hydrometer was used to determine how much was lost.

[GPierce]

I used alcohol in the 50’s because it was cheap and my $50 36 Chevrolet cooling system leaked. It was a whole lot cheaper than antifreeze.

[P_Moore]

Good info, thanks all

[MickyD]

I use 50/50 in NC and no problems in my 31. Throws some out in my 28 not sure if I put too much in or what.

[Merc Cruzer]

The advantage of 50/50 over straight water. The 50/50 has rust inhibitors in it.

[Dino's A]

You can also use water (distilled of course) and add some soluble oil.
DuPont called it "water pump lube & anti rust".

[Benson]

Have been using 50/50 with distilled water since 1962 (55,000 miles).

Several blocks that I have used it in do not have:

1. rust inside,
2. no rusted studs,
3 no heads rusted to the block (They are easily removed).
4. No pitting on the block deck.
5. No pitting on head sealing surfaces.

In other words I have not had any of the problems caused by running water in an engine.

Note water boils here at 202 degrees (5000 feet)
and at 194 degrees at the I 70 tunnel (11,000 feet).

Even with those lower boiling points I have no problem with boiling over.

Also I do not have to add ANY coolant between changes (unless there is a hose leak) ... NONE.

By the way AN OLD GUY told me about this 60 years ago SO it is proven advice.

Also I have always used the standard green ethylene glycol antifreeze.

It has never foamed up in Model A or in over 500,000 miles in various "modern cars".

[WHN]

Some advice from an OLD man and Model A owner for over 60 years.

First, it’s your car, use what you want!

Second, read up on using distilled water in a cars cooling system! If you take the time to do this, it might change how you view the subject.

You can’t/shouldn’t disregard the natural effects of different chemical compounds with each other.

Let the discussion continue.

[goldie]

I am new to Model As so still learning. Have gone back and forth using water wetter and distilled water only and mixes of coolant/antifreeze. One thing learned is you have to be careful which antifreeze is used. Most antifreeze on the shelf is to be used with modern aluminum radiators that don't contain solder construction. I am now using a one third mix of Zerex original green designed for old style radiators that contains an antifoaming additive. Found there are fewer bubbles than with just water and water wetter.
Using water with the wetter got too much rust formation that I am now collecting on a magnet left hanging in radiator. Waiting for the hot summer temps for the true test, I have now removed the thermostat for the summer months resulting in slow warm-ups.