MTFCA Forum

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Hello fellow Model T-ers,

I just had my radiator repaired and flushed. I'm starting anew. I ordered a quart of water-soluble oil from Amazon. Can any of you tell me how much of it I need to put in my refreshed Model T radiator along with the garden hose water?

Thank you in advance.
Steven

Use green antifreeze 50/50 mix with distilled water and throw away the water sol oil whatever that is. Avoid tap water as that has all the minerals that clogged up your radiator in the first place.

Someone with more experience may have better information. I really couldn't find much information on mixing ratios when I started using the soluble oil/water blend in my T's. I have used it for five driving seasons.
I use about 3/4 to 1 cup in each engine.
It gives an ugly chocolate brown mixture when it boils over.
I drain it at the end of each driving season.
Some of my T's have an antifreeze mix and that works well.
Harry Lillo

NorthSouth wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:15 pm

I just had my radiator repaired and flushed. I'm starting anew. I ordered a quart of water-soluble oil from Amazon. Can any of you tell me how much of it I need to put in my refreshed Model T radiator along with the garden hose water?

From the Internet https://natrad.com.au/info-advice/can-p ... -radiator/
"Ideally, this would be distilled water. You can also use bottled water or tap water. Bear in mind that tap water or bore water contains minerals that can leave deposits throughout your cooling system, contributing to corrosion and reducing the lifespan of the radiator"
I have been unable to find any information on what ratios of soluble-oil to water are able to reduce the temperature/boiling point of water. There were many responses in MTFCA past posts of what members used but nothing relating to the product they were using.
Automotive Water Pump Lube products are contain water-soluble-oils as does Redline's Wetter Water. Their claim is it reduces water temperature "UP TO" 20 F. So if you get 1 degree reduction it worked. As noted in many previous posts water-soluble-oil is not an anti-freeze.

None......

If you are buying the stuff made for machine shops, I would say a cup. The old water pump lube was soluble oil, was probably pint sized, install the whole container. The new water pump lube I'm not convinced is soluble oil, as it doesn't turn white when diluted in water, but it says it is rust inhibitor.

I use one pint.

Remember, all opinions are absolutes, so be sure to follow all forum recommendations to the letter !

I only use water from melted Antarctic glaciers. Anything else will cause your Model T to explode.

Seriously though, I know some parts of the country have water with high mineral content that can really screw things up. However, I think that in most large metropolitan areas, (Flint, MI excluded), tap water will do just fine. It's all I've ever used. But then Metro Detroit, (Flint, MI excluded), has some of the nation's best water, (thank you Great Lakes!).

I don't know much about water soluble oil, however, the California tap water will plug your radiator. I use green antifreeze, one gallon and enough bottled "purified" or distilled water to top off. If I need to add, I use the "purified " water. The anti freeze also has rust inhibitor in it. Of course, I live where it rarely freezes and if it does, the lowest it has gotten in the 46 years I have lived here was 18 above, only once. usually only a few nights per year does it bet below freezing. So use the mix of anti-freeze recommended for your area. Our well water has so many minerals that when we have gotten a small drip after I work on the pluming and can't seem to get it to stop, I can put a bucket under it and after a few weeks the drip stops because the water is like stop leak. But it will continue to build up until it stops a radiator, so don't use tap water. Now I have heard that if you have extremely soft water in your area, it might be OK to use. The only experience I have had with soft water is when I take a trip, to a soft water area, if I take a shower, I feel as if I can't rinse off all the soap.
Norm

I boil tap water for my morning tea in this pan. I haven't de-mineralized it for a couple of weeks. This is why I use distilled water in my vehicles. As Jerry says, mineral content varies all over the country. If I'm traveling I don't know what's in the local water, so I use distilled water when I'm on the road too.

For many years, I have put Prestone Anti Rust in the radiator of our '11. It's drained each fall. I feel that straight water is not good for a T motor. I also think that anti-freeze can find its way in places where it shouldn't. It is engine 55988 and I try to take good care of it.

Prior thread regarding the same subject:

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/82 ... 1526784320

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Thank you everyone. This was excellent information. I will be following the distilled water recommendation with 1-1/2 cups of Stay-Lube soluble oil added to the full radiator.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

Steven

For those who only use water here is a link to a rust/corrosion inhibitor product and radiator flush.
https://www.no-rosion.com/hyperkuhlcoolant.htm
I found out about these products through the
Model A Restorers Club
No-Rosion Cooling System Corrosion Inhibitor
No-Rosion Industrial Grade Cooling System Flush.

Rick S

All that water soluble oil is going to coat the walls/inside of the radiator and cut down on thermal transfer. If you are trying to protect against rust and corrosion, go buy one of the product made for that. There are plenty to chose from on the shelf at most auto parts stores.