Antifreeze time - dammit

[IC2]

Here in the frozen tundra of Upstate New York it has 'suddenly' become antifreeze time. Since my car is still under some semblance of almost being finished with a running motor and needing to be trailered(   ) to the upholsterers in the next couple of weeks, needs to have some antifreeze installed. The car has a Walker '32 style but midline B-Z-Ac491-2 radiator and a SB Ford motor. The question is, what is the capacity? I dumped the water, but of course only some of it ended up in the pan so really can't use that method as a yardstick.

I'm sure that most have a SB Chebbie, but there really can't be that much difference in motor capacity. How much antifreeze did you use?? I was going to install 6 quarts of PEAK ........ but Do I need the full 2 gallons - no big deal as I do have it, but there are diminishing returns on mix concentrations.

Dave W

[zzford]

Here in the frozen tundra of Upstate New York it has 'suddenly' become antifreeze time. Since my car is still under some semblance of almost being finished with a running motor and needing to be trailered(   ) to the upholsterers in the next couple of weeks, needs to have some antifreeze installed. The car has a Walker '32 style but midline B-Z-Ac491-2 radiator and a SB Ford motor. The question is, what is the capacity? I dumped the water, but of course only some of it ended up in the pan so really can't use that method as a yardstick.

I'm sure that most have a SB Chebbie, but there really can't be that much difference in motor capacity. How much antifreeze did you use?? I was going to install 6 quarts of PEAK ........ but Do I need the full 2 gallons - no big deal as I do have it, but there are diminishing returns on mix concentrations.

Dave W

You don't want to run straight coolant. I'd use the 50/50 blend. You might want to invest in a cheap specific gravity tester for coolant. That way you know exactly what your protection is.

[phat rat]

I'm with zzford. But I don't buy the 50/50 I always have an empty container on hand and transfer half of a new full one to the other container than add water. Whenever I need to add I do so with 50/50

[IC2]

I'm with zzford. But I don't buy the 50/50 I always have an empty container on hand and transfer half of a new full one to the other container than add water. Whenever I need to add I do so with 50/50

Just for the heluvit, I stopped in Wally World - the 50-50 is $8.47 and the regular is $9.00 but they are out.

$8.47 is a lot of $$$$ for 50% tap water!!!! That would be 2 quarts of water for $4.24 or $2.12/quart!!!!

[purplepickup]

$8.47 is a lot of $$$$ for 50% tap water!!!!  

I would suggest that you use distilled water.  Using hard and/or chlorinated water can cause deposits and corrosion in your cooling system.   I save water out of my dehumidifier in the summer to use in coolant and batteries.

[IC2]

$8.47 is a lot of $$$$ for 50% tap water!!!!  

I would suggest that you use distilled water.  Using hard and/or chlorinated water can cause deposits and corrosion in your cooling system.   I save water out of my dehumidifier in the summer to use in coolant and batteries.

I generally do and in the spring will flush and refill with distilled water and fresh PEAK. Now - just want freeze protection since the car will not be driven nor barely warmed for the next 4-5 months, depending on the winter

[wayne petty]

if you don't plan on driving it at all.....   pull the drain plugs on the block and drain the block... and the radiator...   warm it up for a minute and a half... and shut it off...    spraying some wd40 in the carb inlet as it shuts off...

completely dry motors are better off than a filled motor. if unused in sub freezing weather..  if you have a heater core.. you can use a shop vacuum to pull the coolant out of that also...  DISABLE THE IGNITION   put tape over the area where you unhooked it... with the warning... NO COOLANT...


i worry about motors that are not driven.. or started and brought up to full operating temp.. or as warm as one can get in sub freezing weather...

i have heard from sources that antifreeze and water will separate after a few months sitting totally still... that would be really bad in sub freezing temps...

oh... and for those who are changing the coolant every 2 seasons... thats really too often...  the same mix that protects it from the cold will also protect it from overheating...


wayne