Radiator fill

[JIPJOBXX]

Is there any piticular amount of water that should be added to fill our old radiators. By this I mean how much water should be in the radiator from the radiator cap???

[Don Coatney]

I believe the book calls for 17 quarts or so. But fill the radiator to the top. Drive 50 miles to insure the engine is up to operating temperature. The radiator will then expell excess coolant and seek its operating level. Add no more. Drive and enjoy.

[Dennis Hemingway]

I put 1&1/2 Gal of anti freeze, 1 bottle of WaterWetter, and then fill radiator to the top, then I drive it and let the radiator expell any excess coolant and seek its own operating level. Then drive and enjoy it.

Dennis

[55 Fargo]

Dennis thats the mix I am currently using, 1.5 Gallons of Prestone, bottle of Water wetter, and fill the water up.

What temp does your engine run at on the highway Dennis, when the temps are over 80 degrees outside.

Do you think the Water Wetter works, my first time using it, it was only 75 here today, my engine temp was 170 on the highway.........Fred

[BobT-47P15]

Yep, the radiator sets it's own level. Finally learned that over time.

I've not used the water wetter, just antifreeze and water.

[randroid]

Norm's,

Over the years I have garnered much valuable information from you and I respect your opinion, but I must ask why you buy pre-mixed? Around here it is more expensive than straight antifreeze, so why would you pay more than antifreeze prices for water? So far as mixing goes, isn't that done for us during the 50-mile warm-up?

Just curious.

-Randy

[BobT-47P15]

Randy......when I saw the pre-mixed stuff, my first thought was "now

we are paying for water and getting less antifreeze. Pretty clever of them."

I guess if you want a really scientific mix ratio.....you can use that kind.

I think I'll continue to make my best guess like always.....seems to work

just fine. Can still get water from my faucet.

[Dennis Hemingway]

I use Water Wetter because the air temp here in the summer is in the 110-120 range and it seams to help keep the engine temp down.

Dennis:cool:

[Don Coatney]

Norm's,

Over the years I have garnered much valuable information from you and I respect your opinion, but I must ask why you buy pre-mixed? Around here it is more expensive than straight antifreeze, so why would you pay more than antifreeze prices for water? So far as mixing goes, isn't that done for us during the 50-mile warm-up?

Just curious.

-Randy

My local Auto Zone had the 50-50 stuff on sale. Two gallons cost less than one gallon of the 100% stuff. So for the first time I bought the 50-50 stuff.

[Captain Neon]

While not a regular occurence, I have purchased a few gallons of pre-mixed antifreeze over the years when I was on the road and found myself without a mixed jug of antifreeze in the trunk. If one does not have access to inexpensive or free water, or an empty one gallon container, the mixed stuff sure comes in handy in a pinch.

[martybose]

One caution about a 50-50 mix of antifreeze; unless you really need the low temp protection, you might be better off with less antifreeze and more water, as water is a much better heat transfer agent than antifreeze is.

Marty

[Plymouthy Adams]

Fact #1 - Water is a better coolant than antifreeze. It has better heat capacity, and it conducts heat away from your block and heads better than antifreeze, and conducts it out through the radiator better as well.

Fact #2 - Water is the most expensive coolant you will consider using. It promotes corrosion and freezes at higher temperatures and boils at lower temperatures than other substances you would choose as a coolant. Therefore, do not use plain water.

I perfer the trade off........

[carol craig]

you know I live in Yellow Springs which is named for the iron ring it leaves around the tub. I use distilled water in all my rides to avoid the mineral build up in the cooling system, That may be a good reason to buy premix if I was sure they were using soft water. Oh by the way this is Frank setting in for Carol as she is resting today.

[Don Coatney]

you know I live in Yellow Springs which is named for the iron ring it leaves around the tub. I use distilled water in all my rides to avoid the mineral build up in the cooling system, That may be a good reason to buy premix if I was sure they were using soft water. Oh by the way this is Frank setting in for Carol as she is resting today.

Frank setting in for Carol;

Yellow springs? You can do better than that.

I am off to the corner for detention

[martybose]

Fact #1 - Water is a better coolant than antifreeze. It has better heat capacity, and it conducts heat away from your block and heads better than antifreeze, and conducts it out through the radiator better as well.

Fact #2 - Water is the most expensive coolant you will consider using. It promotes corrosion and freezes at higher temperatures and boils at lower temperatures than other substances you would choose as a coolant. Therefore, do not use plain water.

I perfer the trade off........

I didn't advocate using plain water, just a mix less than 50-50. If I mix my own here in sunny California, I tend to use 20% antifreeze and 80% water.

Marty

[Plymouthy Adams]

OK..glad you running some lubricant/corrision protection...I perfer the 50/50 wether I mix my own or buy it that way..according to what is best priced or available when the need arises.

[eric wissing]

you know I live in Yellow Springs which is named for the iron ring it leaves around the tub. I use distilled water in all my rides to avoid the mineral build up in the cooling system, That may be a good reason to buy premix if I was sure they were using soft water. Oh by the way this is Frank setting in for Carol as she is resting today.

I didn't know you were in Yellow Springs. I don't know what state that is in. Welcome to the forum. You are not alone in leaving out where you are posting from. Knowing where people are from helps me to keep things straight . I guess I am just snoopy!!