: sacrificial anode

Jerry in Shasta

Jerry in Shasta

Senior Member
I have a repo Thomas aluminum head. I want to mount a sacrificial anode
in the head.

Does any one know where I could drill and tap the side of the head and install a 5 inch long rod into the head with out interfering with coolant flow, or the anode touchng any of the interior of the cooling channels.

Thanks JB
 
The only sacrificial anode I have seen or used normally just fit inside the radiator cap and should be available at any parts supplier
 
This is just a gimmick, it does nothing to prevent corrosion. Also, when the anode dissolves it places a large quantity of Magnesium oxide in your cooling system, that ends up blocking passages in your radiator and engine.

The best thing that you can do to prevent corrosion in your cooling system is to use an appropriate mixture of anti freeze and water.
 
Hey Jerry,
I believe that Royce has the right information/answer for you :) ! Examples would be that todays cars, for many years now, use aluminum in engines extensively ....with anti-freeze.
However, if you are adverse to use of that mix, then alternative is anode. Life is a 'trade off' and you give something to get something, eh. Your choice and choice is good !

IMO, no there would not be such an area for a five inch anode. Maybe you could devise a way to put the five inch anode into the head water outlet and secure the end that sticks up the outlet somehow ?

BTW, someone mentioned the 'stuff' left over when the anode is used up. He said maybe clog up radiator...IMO, worth thinking on, eh.
Someone also mentioned water heater anodes. I have experience with water heater anodes, and so should EVERYONE who owns a water heater :) ! The water heater anode needs to be replaced from time/time(and bottom of tanki drained of stuff) as it desolves when 'used up'. Yes it is there to prevent corrosion and when used up, leaves a large deposite in you water heater and home plumbing...if not attended to. My present water heater takes about a 4 foot anode.
Point being, that's a LOT of stuff, same stuff that will get into radiator..maybe. I've cut pieces off of such long anotes, and use those for cheap anode to help corrosion in model a engine. Lots of chunks, any size you want , in a 4 foot anode;).
 
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Galvanic anodes are installed in Every water heater on the market. I'm talking about storage type water heaters.

Rheeme manufacturing (and Ruud) has a service booklet that talks of the anodes in their water heaters and one line caught my attention.

That line states... "As long as the anode is in an active state there will be NO corrosion to the tank." Then they say new anodes are available for service.
So I don't consider them a "gimmick"
Anodes are manufactured for every possible ship, boat, cars, tanks, piping system etc.

If the OP finds an answer to his question please post it here for the ones that want to try it out can do so.
 
Jerry in Shasta said:
I have a repo Thomas aluminum head. I want to mount a sacrificial anode
in the head.

Does any one know where I could drill and tap the side of the head and install a 5 inch long rod into the head with out interfering with coolant flow, or the anode touchng any of the interior of the cooling channels.

Thanks JB
Click to expand...

The question was where to drill the head. In a past post by Bill Williamson regarding water temp gauge sender installation he mentioned that his dad put one at a point on the side of the head 2 1/2" forward of the back edge with no problems.

I hope I remember that right, maybe Bill could chime in here.
 
Cool Hand Lurker said:
The question was where to drill the head. In a past post by Bill Williamson regarding water temp gauge sender installation he mentioned that his dad put one at a point on the side of the head 2 1/2" forward of the back edge with no problems.

I hope I remember that right, maybe Bill could chime in here.
Click to expand...

That area is NOT DEEP ENOUGH for a 5" ANODE.
A person would have to study an old head to "possibly" find a spot.!!!
Bill W.
 
If you use modern antifreeze, there is an additive that is supposed to prevent corrosion. Water heaters would last forever if they were used to heat antifreeze.
 
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