Radiator using water verse antifreeze

O

Oldford59

Member
Hi,
I have been reading that putting antifreeze in a model a radiator is not recommended Just use water because original radiators are not pressurized.
My question is storing water in system over winter storage is there a chance of water freezing and expansion damaging engine block.
Should you drain system before winter sets in knowing model a will rest till spring.
 
The reason I use antifreeze is the corrosion inhibiting factor..Ford grey iron castings look stout but are actually pretty delicate.
 
I have never used anti-freeze. Just water with rust inhibitor.

Now I drain radiator and put car away in fall before there is a freeze. We get it out again in the spring once the weather warms up. I have been doing the same thing for over 40 years.

In the fall before draining radiator, I run the carburetor dry. Take fuse out, and than cover the car. I check the car every few weeks for mice, and charge the battery for 1/2 hour.

That’s it. Works for me. DON’T leave any water in your radiator if it is going to get even close to freezing. Clacked block or head or both.
 
Good Morning...Opinions vary...I use 50/50 mix for the rust factor have for the last 16 years with the same 31 Tudor...I live in the Desert and drive the car all year...admittedly early in the morning during the summer...early breakfast only! Other A's run with water have had problems...50/50 is a bit safer...lack of pressure radiator is not a factor. Ernie in Arizona
 
I use the 50/50 mix for the rust factor and to raise the boiling point.
 
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This was discussed at length, but I'll summarize what I see as key facts to be aware of:

Running water only carries a freezing risk of you're in a freezing climate. If you forget to drain it when needed, you could crack the block.

Ethylene glycol (The green stuff) has LESS heat capacity than water. This means the rate of heat transfer per unit volume of coolant is less. This may not be a factor at all if your car never operates in temperatures where the radiator cannot conduct enough heat away faster than the engine is producing heat.

Scaling in the radiator, clogged tubes, poor fan blades, loose fan belt, poor water flow, and corrosion/debris in the block all inhibit cooling, and all our cars are different.

Automotive antifreeze includes anti-corrosion protection - iron rusts. Yet normal operation when new was water in above freezing temps.

Ethylene Glycol raises the boiling point.

Propylene Glycol is available, is more environmentally friendly, and costs more.

I have some kind of cooling issue, or baffle/overflow problem, as the radiator burps out water until I get quite warm going up hills. Until I get that figured out, I'm running water as I go through so much. Once addressed, Id go to a 45/55 mix. I don't drive in the winter, from 1st application of road salt to when all salt is washed off in April.
 
One picture-- always antifreeze, other pic water for some of its life---
 

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If you like rust use straight water! Even my 1948 truck owners manual warns against just using water. They say to use the anti rust/corrosion protection/water pump lube if you don't use anti-freeze. While the water is out, rust happens in that moist environment.
 
Oldford59 said:
Hi,
I have been reading that putting antifreeze in a model a radiator is not recommended Just use water because original radiators are not pressurized.
My question is storing water in system over winter storage is there a chance of water freezing and expansion damaging engine block.
Should you drain system before winter sets in knowing model a will rest till spring.
Click to expand...

I suggest you use 50/50 water antifreeze. I fix or replace about one motor or head each year because someone forgot to drain the water from their system.
I have heard all kinds of stories as to how or why it happened. Every story filters down to a human mistake. (See post #17)
I live in Minnesota and I use a 50/50 mix in all my vehicles.
Good Day!
 
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I have used Red Line Water Wetter since 2001 with no problems and 'it' stays quite clear. I switch 'it' once a year.

However, I live in Bullhead City, AZ which reaches 126 degrees in the summer.
 
The reason we would not run permanent anti freeze in the old days was if the head gasket leaked a little, you could get antifreeze in the oil and the Babbitt bearings did not like ethylene glycol.
We would run temporary antifreeze which basically was alcohol but that would evaporate by summer and we were down to pure water so we would add rust inhibitor or water soluble oil to keep the corrosion in check.

Todays head gaskets and hardened head studs are better at keeping the head sealed so antifreeze can be used with more confidence that it will not get into the bearings.

Chris W.
 
A 50/50 mix will be much better for your engine that just straight water.

When you do a 50/50 mix do not use tap water only distilled water. Your radiator likes not having to digest the minerals in water.
 
We are all getting older. Don't hang your hat on draining the water out every winter. You forget, just once, and you have big problems. This forgetting business has been the end of many old timer's engines.
 
Jacksonlll said:
We are all getting older. Don't hang your hat on draining the water out every winter. You forget, just once, and you have big problems. This forgetting business has been the end of many old timer's engines.
Click to expand...

True, but it happens to youngsters also.
 
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