Sacrificial anode attachment.......

[sidevalve8ba]

I have one of these sacrificial anodes that I would like to make use of to perhaps "save" my aluminum cylinder heads. Anyone got any tips on choice spots to locate one of these in the cooling system? That one piece of wire looks a bit fragile to me.

[petehoovie]

Can you post a picture of what you have?....

[adileo]

I haven't used this but I would think a good place would be in a open/extra port where the tempature sensor goes. There is hopefully one capped off with a bolt.

I have a boat and the plug size looks to be about the same as the zinc I use there.

[jetmek]

I Soldered a bung in rad top tank that accepts an anode for a water heater.

[sidevalve8ba]

This is it. This one came from Mac's.

[Ronnie]

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When the correct coolant is used there isn't any requirement at all.

R

[Bulligen]

Hi Ronnie, What would you use as correct coolant? Thank you , Rog

[petehoovie]

You wouldn't be asking the question if the anode came with instructions so I'm thinking that it has to be attached to the radiator cap some how. On my '34, I'm thinking about installing an anode something like the one pictured below into the water pump orifice where the temp. sensor would normally go....

[adileo]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

You wouldn't be asking the question if the anode came with instructions so I'm think that it has to be attached to the radiator cap some how. On my '34, I'm thinking about installing an anode something like the one pictured below into the water pump orifice where the temp. sensor would normally go....

Yes that's the type used on boats. Also I don't think the type of antifreeze you use matters. It has to do with the two diffrent metals with liquid. Boats sit in both fresh and salt water and you need zinc.

Mho

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by adileo

Yes that's the type used on boats. Also I don't think the type of antifreeze you use matters. It has to do with the two diffrent metals with liquid. Boats sit in both fresh and salt water and you need zinc.

Mho

Thats exactly the type of anode I use I place them in the block drain holes or the pipe thread hole in a water pump.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by sidevalve8ba

I have one of these sacrificial anodes that I would like to make use of to perhaps "save" my aluminum cylinder heads. Anyone got any tips on choice spots to locate one of these in the cooling system? That one piece of wire looks a bit fragile to me.

It's meant to go into one or both of the upper radiator hoses.

[TJ]

You can also use a Rad Cap which has the anode attached by a spring with a plastic cup which holds the anode. Those caps are about $15. I have them in my cars. regardless of the type of coolant it's amazing how the electrolysis attacks the anode. Coolant will not totally protect an engine the has different metals attached.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Bulligen

Hi Ronnie, What would you use as correct coolant? Thank you , Rog

What do you have in your daily driver? Any oem or aftermarket antifreeze that has an oem endorsement.Usually written on the label.
Prestone lo tox,Peak,Honda and many more would be a good choice.
You would be hard pressed today to not have a car that wasn't a cast iron block with aluminum heads.Has been that way for the last 40+ years.There are millions running around without an anode in them.Aluminum heads on a flatty aren't something new special.Don't overthink this anode idea. "LOL" My2¢

R

[El Rat]

I think the anodes are a good idea. They are inexpensive and there is no down side. Maybe it's belt and suspenders but it is zero risk and has potential benefits.

[ford38v8]

Ronnie, you are hereby appointed as Official Engine Disassembly Man for Flathead Fords having aluminum heads.

[19Fordy]

51MERC-CT: Would that anode also work if it was suspended inside the radiator top tank
from the radiator cap? Would it also work if it was suspended from a nylon cord instead of a piece of metal?

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

Ronnie, you are hereby appointed as Official Engine Disassembly Man for Flathead Fords having aluminum heads.

OMG Wtf is that about!!

Anodes and disassembly???

Those old dogs never had any good antifreeze in them that is the problem.

Anodes wouldn't help that at all.

State your case"LOL"


R

[fourfords]

Kearney Pattern and foundry made my correct '33 heads. They would sell their heads to me only if I used a composite head gasket. citing electrolysis. A metal gasket promotes deterioration of the metals Call 'em and ask them some questions. 408-2937414

[willowbilly3]

It never hurts to use one but I agree that if the coolant is maintained properly, you should never need one. Electrolysis only sets in when the ph becomes acidic. I always test with a volt meter. I haven't read any industry standard for years but heard once anything near .250 volts and you should do a flush and refill. I never let an engine with aluminum get that far, .150 volt at most. Test by tester neg to ground and pos immersed in the coolant.

[john in illinois]

What about no-rosion coolant additive? I have read good things on the forum.



http://www.no-rosion.com/

John

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

51MERC-CT: Would that anode also work if it was suspended inside the radiator top tank
from the radiator cap? Would it also work if it was suspended from a nylon cord instead of a piece of metal?

Can't make that call. The installation in the upper hose is as I recall from the instructions on a similar anode years ago.

[fourtydlx]

West marine sells the one with brass nut,put in the bottom tank

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by john in illinois

What about no-rosion coolant additive? I have read good things on the forum.



http://www.no-rosion.com/

John

There is some good info here good find John they mention anode use.

http://www.no-rosion.com/tech_coolant.htm

another read http://papers.sae.org/490093/


Scroll down here about 1/2 way and read about galvanic properties
http://www.tc-11.com/understanding_corrosion.htm

R

[estout81]

Been using no-rosion in my '48 F-1 for a few years with good results. Some time in the past somebody put the wrong head gaskets on and caused a water leak. Was using no-rosion then and was impressed with how clean the cooling system was. It has been three years since I did this and no cooling issues. The engine is a 276ci. with aluminum heads and using straight water with the proper amount of no-rosion.

[sidevalve8ba]

Thanks for all the input. As usual lots of good information and opinions.

[Kube]

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Originally Posted by Ronnie

What do you have in your daily driver? Any oem or aftermarket antifreeze that has an oem endorsement.Usually written on the label.
Prestone lo tox,Peak,Honda and many more would be a good choice.
You would be hard pressed today to not have a car that wasn't a cast iron block with aluminum heads.Has been that way for the last 40+ years.There are millions running around without an anode in them.Aluminum heads on a flatty aren't something new special.Don't overthink this anode idea. "LOL" My2¢

R

Ronnie, I agree with you. I have disassembled too many modern engines to recall. Not one showed any discernible amount of corrosion. The modern chemicals we use on our modern vehicles are FAR superior to those of decades past.
Adding an anode? For what?

[Brian]

Adding an anode? For what?

To be like the Irishman wearing two condoms; to be sure, to be sure!

[30-9]

Once a Clinton / Trump supporter always a supporter you won't change their mind.

Same here.

But did you know all hot water heaters have a zinc anoide? No fancy Chemicals in there? Wonder why...

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Once a Clinton / Trump supporter always a supporter you won't change their mind.

Same here.

But did you know all hot water heaters have a zinc anoide? No fancy Chemicals in there? Wonder why...

As a matter of fact I check the anode every year and they are not all zinc,usually Magnesium.Lets not hi jack this thread.
Not an easy job to get out the first time.
R

[Deuce Man]

Fifteen years ago, I put together a 32 with an aluminum headed merc flatty. I ran straight water till I was sure there were no cooling system problems. I figured that I would change over to anti freese as soon as I got the chance. One day I went to start my car and the motor was locked up. I pulled the plugs and one cylinder was full of water. The aluminum head had a big spot eaten away around one of the copper crush rings in the head gasket. I welded up the bad spot, filled my motor with anti freeze and most importantly, put a Pencil zinc in one of the tapped spots in the head. 15 years later, no problems! If you go online and look up "Galvanic series" you will see a list of metals, from the most noble to the least noble. The farther apart on the series the less happy metals are in the presence of an electrolite {water} Copper or brass and aluminum are pretty far apart, and should be protected. The pencil zinc is cheap insurance. By the way I never used head gaskets with copper on aluminum heads again. Rich

[Straightpipes]

I think some of you guys have too much time on your hands.......

[petehoovie]

Here's another good link > http://www.ve-labs.net/electrolysis-101

[Kube]

Originally Posted by 30-9

Once a Clinton / Trump supporter always a supporter you won't change their mind.

Same here.

But did you know all hot water heaters have a zinc anoide? No fancy Chemicals in there? Wonder why...

Simply because there are NO "fancy" chemicals in there... just water and all of the associated minerals.

[flatjack9]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

There is some good info here good find John they mention anode use.

http://www.no-rosion.com/tech_coolant.htm

another read http://papers.sae.org/490093/


Scroll down here about 1/2 way and read about galvanic properties
http://www.tc-11.com/understanding_corrosion.htm

R

Reading through that, I found it interesting that they recommended NOT to use distilled water when using water only as a coolant. This is something I have never done for the reasons they point out.