Aluminum rad question

notjustair · Dec 7, 2019

The radiator for my 64 Ford truck (bale bed but was a fire truck F600) was shot. Cores alone were going
to run over $600, so I just ordered a new aluminum one. I recently had the heater core redone with the
original style material.

Should I still run the green coolant in it? I run Coolgard in the Deere?s and Fleetguard in the IH stuff and
semis, but I usually just run whatever the manufacturer says for the newest vehicle stuff. Now that I?m
mixing in an aluminum rad should I stick with green or switch to something like Fleetguard?

Bob · Dec 7, 2019

Basic green will be just fine, unless it's a diesel that needs "DCA".

Steve@Advance · Dec 7, 2019

Any antifreeze will work.

I would flush the engine thoroughly. Remove one heater hose, hang the water hose in the radiator, let it run at fast idle until the water runs clear.

Then drain it completely.

Refill it with premix of your choice, or mix with distilled water. Make note of the type antifreeze used, and top with that same type only.

4play · Dec 8, 2019

There is nothing wrong with the old school green antifreeze, other than it has the least amount of additives and protection. With that said there are long life and universal coolants that offer better life and protection. FYI it's not all about the color, you have to read the label.

caterpillar guy · Dec 8, 2019

So what is the problem with the Green in diesels? I have been using it in them for 40 years. If they are a wet sleeve engine I just test and add the Needed dope to it. The strips are cheap compared to engine parts.
I have no need for the other colors with all the older engines we have.
And yes All the major truck engine companies had trouble back when the first of the long life antifeezes came out with gasket problems due to it.

MarkB_MI · Dec 8, 2019

Unless you completely flush out the old antifreeze, there's no benefit to using on of the newer Organic Acid Technology coolants. But it won't hurt to make the switch. Aluminum radiators were in use for a couple of decades before OAT coolant was introduced.

timcasbolt · Dec 8, 2019

(quoted from post at 05:08:45 12/08/19) The radiator for my 64 Ford truck (bale bed but was a fire truck F600) was shot. Cores alone were going
to run over $600, so I just ordered a new aluminum one. I recently had the heater core redone with the
original style material.

Should I still run the green coolant in it? I run Coolgard in the Deere?s and Fleetguard in the IH stuff and
semis, but I usually just run whatever the manufacturer says for the newest vehicle stuff. Now that I?m
mixing in an aluminum rad should I stick with green or switch to something like Fleetguard?

The biggest factor with aluminum radiators is using distilled water along with an anti freeze that says on the label that it is aluminum compatible.

Bob · Dec 8, 2019

(quoted from post at 03:21:34 12/08/19) So what is the problem with the Green in diesels? I have been using it in them for 40 years. If they are a wet sleeve engine I just test and add the Needed dope to it. The strips are cheap compared to engine parts.
I have no need for the other colors with all the older engines we have.
And yes All the major truck engine companies had trouble back when the first of the long life antifeezes came out with gasket problems due to it.

"So what is the problem with the Green in diesels?"

The problem with using basic "green" antifreeze is that a lot of people are UNLIKE you and don't know of the need to test and then add DCA/SCA as needed.

Coolant sold for diesel use is ready to use and doesn't require the addition diesel coolant additive for several years or several thousand hours of use. (As spelled out on the label.)

Aluminum rad question

notjustair

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Bob

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Steve@Advance

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4play

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caterpillar guy

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MarkB_MI

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timcasbolt

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Bob

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