New radiator

N

Nlbloch

Member
Bought a new radiator and hope to install next week. Any advice on how to condition the new radiator would be appreciated.

Any installation advice based on your own experiences?
 
This is like the oil and whitewall tire debate.
I don't want rust or freeze cracks, so I will only use 50% antifreeze in all my cars.
 
Hahahah and I would NEVER EVER use Anti Freeze in the summer, a new good quality radiator never needs it...and it seeps.....sorry Tom....See you next week.
 
I never use antifreeze in my cars, just antirust, but I live in Southern California. You might add the general location of where you live to your profile.

Charlie Stephens
 
As a new model A owner, my reading on this subject and opinion is if you have new radiator and the old one had an issue (say over heating), try 50/50 first and see if your car can run with it... Appears to help fight rust the best... One case in point:

My car sat for 5 years with 50/50 before I acquired the car 3 month ago and my engine was very clean after dropping and seeing what came out of the radiator. It does not over heat and I drive in stop and go city only traffic so for now I'm sticking with 50/50.
 
I use 50/50 for the freeze protection. I lost a radiator with water + anti-rust many years ago in July. Parked overnight high up outside Jackson hole it froze and popped overnight. Your experience may vary. I use the environmentally friendly propylene glycol stuff (Sierra) in my A's.
 
MikeK said:
Parked overnight high up outside Jackson hole it froze and popped overnight. Your experience may vary. I use the environmentally friendly propylene glycol stuff (Sierra) in my A's.
Click to expand...

Exception to the rule always....:D
 
I would run nothing but 50/50 antifreeze. My time with the A is limited but with my automotive experience I would say antifreeze is a must.

Joe
 
I experienced overheating with my '30 coupe (totally restored, all stock) for a couple of years, summer and winter. I tried both 50/50 and distilled water with anti-rust. Made no difference. I also noticed the overheating caused water to seep out from under the hoses next to the radaitor and of course spraying on the hood, windshield, the fenders, everywhere. Made a real mess to clean up. Then one day I decided to pull the in-hose thermostat out and try without it. Supprise, the overheating stopped....!!!

Then came winter, so I installed the thermostat the right way, next to the radiator, pointed the right way. I HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED THE THERMOSTAT BAS-ACKWARDS......:eek::(:mad::confused:

Must be the old age. Now I run distilled water with anti-rust/lubricant in the summer and 50/50 during the winter. NO MORE PROBLEMS. :D
Good Luck..................
 
bobpo1 said:
I experienced overheating with my '30 coupe (totally restored, all stock) for a couple of years, summer and winter. I tried both 50/50 and distilled water with anti-rust. Made no difference. I also noticed the overheating caused water to seep out from under the hoses next to the radaitor and of course spraying on the hood, windshield, the fenders, everywhere. Made a real mess to clean up. Then one day I decided to pull the in-hose thermostat out and try without it. Supprise, the overheating stopped....!!!

Then came winter, so I installed the thermostat the right way, next to the radiator, pointed the right way. I HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED THE THERMOSTAT BAS-ACKWARDS......:eek::(:mad::confused:

Must be the old age. Now I run distilled water with anti-rust/lubricant in the summer and 50/50 during the winter. NO MORE PROBLEMS. :D
Good Luck..................
Click to expand...
What happens when "The Old Age Kicks In Again" & its in the middle of Jan.. ??
 
There is a nylon sock trick that is used, it will keep anything out of your new radiator.
I had mine flushed and use this trick and was amazed at what was caught in the sock.
I'm sure that after a little while the particles being picked up will slow to a stop and you will not have the bulk of particles stuck in the tops of the radiator tubes.
I’m thinking with a new radiator there will be increased flow and that increased flow my pick up stuff that would have stayed put with the older radiator.
 
Marshall57 said:
There is a nylon sock trick that is used, it will keep anything out of your new radiator.
I had mine flushed and use this trick and was amazed at what was caught in the sock.
I'm sure that after a little while the particles being picked up will slow to a stop and you will not have the bulk of particles stuck in the tops of the radiator tubes.
I’m thinking with a new radiator there will be increased flow and that increased flow my pick up stuff that would have stayed put with the older radiator.
Click to expand...

I also use a filter, but mine is a standard fine paint filter. I place it in a funnel and then pour the fluid back into the radiator. And you are right, it's amazing how much junk I find in that filter.
 
Marshall57 said:
There is a nylon sock trick that is used, it will keep anything out of your new radiator.
I had mine flushed and use this trick and was amazed at what was caught in the sock.
I'm sure that after a little while the particles being picked up will slow to a stop and you will not have the bulk of particles stuck in the tops of the radiator tubes.
I’m thinking with a new radiator there will be increased flow and that increased flow my pick up stuff that would have stayed put with the older radiator.
Click to expand...

BUT remember to clean the sock of debris frequently, otherwise it's self defeating!
 
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