Cleaning the radiator

[Fullraceflathead]

Here's a tip. It's best to only paint the top and bottom tanks on your radiator. It's best to leave the fins and core unpainted. Since our radiators are exposed in the front and are cosmetic to our vehicles looks it's best to put a very very light coat on the exposed front fins and core if you must paint them. It's best to keep it unpainted because the paint actually helps insulate the heat transfer and cooling process from the air flowing through the radiator.

 

[james1savage]

synch- we use Dawn here. an anti colloidal detergent that we have discussed here in the past. does a heck of a job and no major foaming.


it was actually invented to degrease engines.

I’m going to try this process. I’m assuming you used liquid Dawn, can I ask how much of it you put in the radiator?

 

[Diastole]

Thanks to all the expert advice. After much flushing, chemical treating, changing hoses, and testing I realized that everyone is right, I am running too hot. And, my original radiator is the problem.
I called Steve at Bert's and he promptly sent me a new Brassworks radiator.
I am super impressed with Steve and Bert's advice and service. But, the Brassworks radiator is awesome.
Drop in, perfect fit, no issues. I did follow both the RedBook and a popular videographer's YouTube videos at how to change and line up the cowls. Steve suggested new hoses and a new water pipe. I should have bought the SS one, but the painted one looks great.
Most importantly the results are mind blowing. My research suggested that a good function radiator should lower the temperature of the water form inlet to outlet by at most 20-30 degrees F. This 9 fin radiator from Brassworks lowers the temp by 55 degrees F! Wow! And, the build quality is super. I am clearly a fan now!
Attached are all the testing and the final results.

Now my car runs cool!

Thanks to all for the advice.

Diastole

 

[daveymc29]

A final note. The morning of the event I went out to my car to get it running while my bride was getting the final bits into our cases. Hit the starter and nada, tried the horn and lights, nothing. Transferred my trash to the modern machine and drove that to the "opener." It rained on us a tad and the weather was threatening for the whole event, the road we took was not entirely our planned route but throughout the trip I was every bit as warm and comfortable in my 2018 Lincoln as I would have been in my 31 Ford coupe. When I got home I jumped around my fuse and the car fired right up. Took fuse out and applied a finger dab of dielectric grease and have been driving it daily since with nary a miss or tremor. I know it would have made the trip, but felt I probably would have worried about the fuse holder until I got home. Not worth getting forty miles down the road and then having a major failure, but this weekend I will take it out to our club picnic if I can get all the "fixin's into the trunk with my hand truck. Water is clean and car runs at about 160+ degrees most of the time.

 

[ronn]

James, only 2-3 ozs.

works very well on degreasing.

as a final note- Ive used it to replace laundry detergent, when I ran out. worked fine.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

A final note. The morning of the event I went out to my car to get it running while my bride was getting the final bits into our cases. Hit the starter and nada, tried the horn and lights, nothing. Transferred my trash to the modern machine and drove that to the "opener." It rained on us a tad and the weather was threatening for the whole event, the road we took was not entirely our planned route but throughout the trip I was every bit as warm and comfortable in my 2018 Lincoln as I would have been in my 31 Ford coupe.

Davey, I wish we had known others that were at the "Spring Opener". Four couples from our club made the trek to Clear Lake. We had a great time visiting the surrounding area. We decided to take our moderns because of the threat of rain and the distance from Southern California. We had a great time, made some new friends and my wife even brought home a "New" Car...

 

[mleder]

I seem to remember someone did the vinegar treatment and either the water pump or hose connection began to leak while driving and made a real mess in the engine compartment. I would check it often and would consider having water pump rebuild consumables always on the shelf. not only for this treatment but for every other drive.