Guest dnoz Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I have a 1913 Buick, live in Florida and use distilled water mixed with NALCOOL. Is there a better choice - can I use a 50/50 antifreeze or some other coolant that will better handle the heat? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940_Buick Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 The most important thing is that you use something with a rust inhibitor, which NACOOL has. I've heard "Water Wetter" improves cooling. I haven't used it myself, but people who have seem to be happy with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest carlnut50 Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I have been told that Water Wetter reduces the surface tension of the water thereby allowing more molecules to contact the engine block. This in turn conducts more heat away from the block to the water and also more heat from the water to the radiator tubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Layden B Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 It is my understanding that anti-freeze ( ethylene-glycol ) has less ability to carry heat than water does. Due to this, when it came out in common usage the water pumps and passages were increased in size to accomodate more flow to still transfer the same heat load. It is important therefore to use as little antifreeze as possible in a system not sized for it, just enough to keep from freezing or none if that is not an issue. Yes it raises the boiling point but that is not useful if the engine cannot export the heat ( that is the reasoning behind the 70% maximum labeling on the anti-freeze container). Your current choice is good, there are some non-water coolants on the market that are supposed to " increase heat conductivity" but I am not clear on whether that refers to better than water or better than 50/50 water/ ethylene-glycol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I run about 4:1 water & standard green antifreeze in my cars. The antifreeze provides corrosion protection and just enough freeze protection for me here in the Northwest.Some of my buddies run only corrosion inhibitor (water pump lube) and water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 On my truck I run 50/50 water and antifreeze. It has done two or three good things. First it stopped the truck from overheating. Second I no longer have a constant drip from the water pump, and it adds corrosion protection. Just my experience and thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now