Whats the best coolant-?

[John Hendricks]

Just make sure u use green glycol based antifreeze.  The newer pink  ones - like what is being used in new cars and trucks- will congeal your entire cooling system.

[12905]

My cars were built in 1927 - Essex Super Six; 1929 - Plymouth U; 1936 - Dodge D2 and I use mixed coolant in all of them. I know the early service books talked about "anti-freeze" including the ones you mentioned, but does anyone use alcohol or glycerine as a coolant today? I don't think so. Technology has evolved way beyond that old level and I don't understand why we would not apply that technology where we can. For instance, shiould we object to using modern quality oil seals - and many other items - and insist on the technology and materials current at the time of the vehicle's manufacture? I rather doubt that any one of us is that much of a purist.

However, I do apologise if you feel I was being critical of your practice in particular, rather than making a general observation.

Brian

[36 Ply]

60 years ago, it was 1948.

My Plymouth was built in 1936.

On page 13 of the 1936 Plymouth owner's manual, under the heading of "Cooling System", it states:

Water is circulated through the cooling system by means of a centrifugal type of water pump, mounted at the front end of the engine and driven by a V-type belt. A fan placed immediately back of the radiator draws air through the air passages of the radiator core to facilitate cooling. The flow of water is controlled by a thermostat located in the cylinder water outlet elbow.

The next papagraph states that "Radiator Rust Resistor" should be added twice a year.

The label on the bottle of water pump lube that I use states "Concentrated Radiator Anti-Rust & Water Pump Lubricant. It is sold by Carquest.

The next paragraph in the manual, titled "Antifreeze solution", states At the first indication of freezing weather, the cooling system should be filled with a good non-freezing solution." It goes on to recommend denatured alcohol, ethylene glycol, and glycerine. As stated earlier, I use whatever modern antifreeze is handy.

I agree that an engine should run as hot as possible without boiling. This can sometimes be an interesting proposition with a 72 year old car that has a non-pressurized cooling system, due to such factors as flat vs. hilly terrain, outside air temperature, number of passengers, etc.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

[12905]

It's best to run an engine as hot as possible without boiling. It helps the oil get hot more quickly - especially on short trips - so that the contaminants boil off. Also, bore wear is lessened because there is less chance of unburned gasoline diluting the oil film on the cylinder walls.

In addition, one should not use water as a coolant unless it has added rust inhibitors. Old engines do not need the added internal erosion accelerated by the use of water as a coolant. In support of this position, I don't ever recall (during the past 60 years in the automobile business) any manufacturer recommending the use of water as a coolant.

Brian

[36 Ply]

Dennis-

I run 50/50 antifreeze and water (whatever brand is handy) in the winter (north central Illinois, where it occasionally dips to minus 20).

In the summer, I run as close to 100% distilled water as I can, and my '36 runs about 10 degrees cooler than with the 50/50 mix. I also add a bottle of water pump lube with the distilled water.

Regards,

Pat O'Connor

[DENNIS P NOLAN]

I am putting the exhaust manifold back (Thanks to many of you) and I drained the radiator...Is there a coolant that is better than another for this car-1939 P-8 6 Cly...any I should stay away from??? Thanks,Dennis