27 replies to this topic

[Pop's-SS]

G'day All

 

Have just picked up a NOS Natrad 3 core radiator for the SS as the old one is RS rotten

 

Who uses what coolant and are they much a muchness as to what each brand does

 

Did hear just to put tank (rain water) into it of which I have about 4,000 litres outside the back door but is the old saying you get what you paid for right 

 

Barry

[Bigfella237]

If you plan on attending track days and the like, I believe most drag tracks etc. don't allow glycol-based coolants because they're too hard to clean up.

 

Although if you live somewhere that dips below zero in the winter then anti-freeze is pretty much essential. Not just because frozen water prevents circulation when you first start up, but water actually expands just before it freezes and can easily crack a cast iron block (I think Mythbusters did a similar experiment by freezing a cast iron ball full of water).

 

Antifreeze aside, a lot of the "old school" used to swear by soluble oils like Bars used to sell in those little ring-pull cans (Bars the brand, not the place), it was basically just water soluble machine oil that was supposed to lubricate water pump seals and provide corrosion protection but it had some unwanted side effects like gunking up too.

 

But this is the 21st century and there are some much better alternatives around, for example Red Line make a product called "WaterWetter" which has corrosion protection too but mainly is supposed to "double the wetting ability of water" allowing much better heat transfer (I'll let you read their blurb).

 

So I guess it depends on your situation, where you are and what you need it to do?

 

Whatever your do, I suggest at the very least you use distilled or well filtered water and some kind of corrosion preventative, especially in any motor that has alloy parts.

[RallyRed]

I use Nulon as well....no problems with it .

I originally went with it because its made here in Australia.

 

Not sure you are planning any track days ...but I think the glycol additives are OK as long as you can demonstrate an effective catch/overflow tank.

 

Regards

[wot179]

Ive only ever used tap water in red 6s.

I cant recall having any problems with it.

[fatslr]

I use Toyota long life in all my vehicles ,after 10 years I pulled the lower hose off water pump in my old 80series and the neck looked brand new not an ounce of corrosion.

[SPONGY]

Always used Nulon Ultra Cool in all the old holdens that I have owned, had no problems.

[Indy Orange]

I use Tectaloy Xtra Cool with distilled water, makes about 10litres,no problems so far.

[dattoman]

Toyota or Holden genuine coolant in the good ones

Textaloy TEX500 concentrate with distilled water in everything else

[Pop's-SS]

I use the Burson brand concentrate anti freeze anti boil and mix it 33% anti freeze/anti boil and 67% water. Keeps all my cars cool and have never had issues with mine either. You can buy it from Bursons for around $40 for 5 litres.

 

Have a contact at Bursons so that would be the cheaper one 

 

You want Nulon Ultra Cool , glycol free, best for our mature aged vehicles.

 

Now being a (very) mature aged driver with a mature aged vehicle, that's looking fairly promising

 

 

I use Toyota long life in all my vehicles ,after 10 years I pulled the lower hose off water pump in my old 80series and the neck looked brand new not an ounce of corrosion.

 

 

So this makes 3 I will consider and will have to do it fairly quickly as it's not exactly cool around these parts, was 37 under the back verandah a few days ago and it can reach over 40 

 

Thanks ..... Barry

[Bigfella237]

Lucky you caught that Rod, what a mess!

 

I'd hate to see someone do this and then set straight off on a summer holiday.

[Pop's-SS]

Does it get below freezing there Barry?

If it does you need glycol. 

 

Cheers. 

 

Get below freezing   Try down to -5 in Winter to some times +40 in Summer but normally around the mid 30's

 

With such a large range of temps, picking the right coolant is not easy

 

In Summer, we do not have all that many runs with our car club because of the heat and virtually all of our cars are not air conditioned so it is uncomfortable to be out in it

 

That is the main reason I have had 3 core radiators in all of my old cars

 

Barry

[Pop's-SS]

I have always liked and used Nulon - and still do.

 

However, check out these pix .

This happened about 4 years ago. I was gradually doing work on the LH, and did a new water pump, radiator and thermostat. Obviously the block was drained to do this. Once assembled, I refilled with the Nulon concentrate, and (I thought) all good.

 Zero kilometres, and about 3 or 4 starts in the shed,I looked in the radiator and saw stuff I did not like the look of. Battery was only connected during the brief starts - so electrolysis should not have been an issue.

 Drained the radiator by dropping the bottom hose and a cross between crystals and jelly came out.

 So I removed a few more bits and the following pix are what I found. Nulon were contacted, and what had happened was a reaction to another type of coolant.

 What it was I have no idea. Nulon and I agree that it was most likely what was in the heater core, as the radiator and block were dry before refill.

 So, a new pump, thermostat,and housing, and a good radiator clean out, plus flushing the heater and block thoroughly, refilled with the same stuff. No further issues.

  The Nulon Company were good about it. (also Autobarn) Thanks Nulon and Autobarn.

 

       regards,Rod.

 

G'day Rod

 

Did you only put in the concentrate or did you pre-mix or even concentrate then added the balance in water 

 

Barry

[Ice]

Tectoly gold for years havnt had an issue yet