Running straight water

If you were running an early motor with no pressure control you would know why I don't run anti-freeze in warm weather. Foams badly.
 
Totally stock '35 Two Ton runs in 90+ heat and never foams, 50/50 antifreeze and water. Something else is causing your foaming problems, Fords in Canada have run antifreeze forever without overheating or foaming. ..B.
 
If you were running an early motor with no pressure control you would know why I don't run anti-freeze in warm weather. Foams badly.
I don't know why, but my 39 does the same thing. When running just water, I have absolutely no problem.
 
I have to agree with "Mart & Ronnie" about the coolant issue in flat head Fords.
I have never been able to understand why so many people are so dead set against anti-freeze/coolant in old cars. Of course it is usually these same people that are anti thermostat, detergent oils and radial tires.
I have made mention many times about my '36 Ford which I have owned for 57 years. Driving it for over 94k in sub zero Idaho weather, Nevada desert heat over 100 and So. Cal commuter traffic. The car still has the original radiator and heater cores, I have used nothing but a mixture of 50/50 coolant in the car.
 
I think having Skip's higher flow pumps increases foaming, but I still prefer them.
flatjack9 what pumps do you run?
 
I am running stock truck pumps with the sealed bearings. I really don't know why this happens. Last winter I had my car at the upholsters and had to drive it back in January (about 25 miles on the highway) and naturally I had anti freeze in. By the time I got back to the shop enough coolant had blown out that I was starting to overheat. Yet with water I never have a problem in the summer no matter what the temperature.
 
I also have the same foaming problem. A test of the gases coming out of the rad showed that it was Combustion vapors. This may mean a cracked block (hopefully not) or an exhaust leak past one or more studs that run into the exhaust passages. No help changing head gaskets. Therefore I too run water in the summer, with a little anti freeze to keep the rust at bay. I change to anti freeze for winter storage. Byron.
 
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