Foamy Radiator

Charlie Stephens said:
Research the archives but I think I remember reading that Sierra brand antifreeze doesn't foam. I live in Southern California so I don't have a problem running with just rust protection. I tried the green stuff once and it foamed.

Charlie Stephens
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So I'm not the only one.
 
jrvariel48 said:
I have the Stant t-stats and Skips pressure valve, I just never installed them.
I guess that would be the next order of business!
Thank you
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Install the pressure valve but not the Stant stats first. When you install the Stant stats you will encounter hot temperatures in hot weather. The large ID of the hoses from the head outlets to the radiator are in effect are large pipe. Anytime you reduce the inside diameter of a pipe you reduce the flow. Stant stats reduce the ID to a size similar to putting a washer with a 5/8" or less hole in the hose. If a 5/8" hole was large enough Henry would have used heater hose for radiator hoses. Once you restrict the ID in effect you have a smaller pipe the size of the restrictor hole. G.M.
 
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Almost all cars with thermostats have large diameter radiator hoses, some a lot larger than the flathead hoses. If Ford didn't believe in thermostats he wouldn't have installed at the factory. A restriction over a short distance in a tube/pipe does not lower flow nearly as much as you would think. It accelerates the flow over that distance.
 
G.M. said:
Install the pressure valve but not the Stant stats first. When you install the Stant stats you will encounter hot temperatures in hot weather. The large ID of the hoses from the head outlets to the radiator are in effect are large pipe. Anytime you reduce the inside diameter of a pipe you reduce the flow. Stant stats reduce the ID to a size similar to putting a washer with a 5/8" or less hole in the hose. If a 5/8" hole was large enough Henry would have used heater hose for radiator hoses. Once you restrict the ID in effect you have a smaller pipe the size of the restrictor hole. G.M.
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G.M. I did just that today. I drained out the old coolant & flushed with water for two cycles. I filled it up then drove a few miles to get the temp up, then drained. I then installed Skips valve. I have to say the system was very clean. The radiator was dipped at a shop less than a year ago so it's nice and clean also.
I filled the system with a 50/50 mix of Prestone Low Tox propylene glycol. It took exactly four gallons with the aftermarket heater.
I drove up the highway about 15 miles at between 55-65 m.p.h., then off to the back roads for some stop & go. The total trip was about an hour. Outside air temp was 86 degrees and my engine temp stayed at 180 degrees the entire time! When I got back home, I notice a mark on the driveway about the size off a quarter under the overflow. I'm assuming that may be the coolant finding it's level in the tank? I opened the cap after it cooled down a bit and the level was good, and most importantly, no foam!! So far, a great start!
I'm not sure which way to go with the t-stats yet. I do drive in the winter as long as the roads are clean.
I'm still open to suggestions! Thank you again to everyone who chimed in!!
 
G.M. said:
Install the pressure valve but not the Stant stats first. When you install the Stant stats you will encounter hot temperatures in hot weather. The large ID of the hoses from the head outlets to the radiator are in effect are large pipe. Anytime you reduce the inside diameter of a pipe you reduce the flow. Stant stats reduce the ID to a size similar to putting a washer with a 5/8" or less hole in the hose. If a 5/8" hole was large enough Henry would have used heater hose for radiator hoses. Once you restrict the ID in effect you have a smaller pipe the size of the restrictor hole. G.M.
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The area of a 5/8 in hole is .31 sq. in. A Stant thermostat has about a 1.125 disc which raises about .25 in. This gives a flow area of .88 sq. in. or 2 3/4 times the 5/8 in opening. Better do the math GM before making some wild statement.
 
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