Rick,
Straight water will transfer heat faster than a water/anti-freeze mix. The
antifreeze will raise the boiling point, but, if you can keep the straight
water below it's boiling point, you won't need the higher boiling point of
the mix.
Now, to help keep the water below it's boiling point, add a product called
"Water Wetter". It's made by Red Line. My understanding is that it lowers
the surface tension of the water and keeps it from boiling in the high heat
contact areas of the head around the combustion chamber and producing
bubbles that insulate the coolant from the head. Water Wetter also is an
anti-corrosive agent thus taking care of that benefit of anti-freeze. My
own testimonial is that it lowered the coolant temp in my race car by 20
degrees. That was enough to not need a higher boiling point. And, no, I
don't own Red Line.
Also, somebody mentioned just draining the coolant for the winter. You will
not get all of the coolant out by draining it in the car. I just pulled a
motor out of a B this afternoon and you would be surprised how much coolant
was still in the motor after it was supposedly drained. Up here in frigid
Wisconsin, that leftover unprotected coolant will freeze and break your
block. So add anti-freeze for the winter if you live in polar bear land
like I do.
P.S. Rick, how is that new Weber working out?
Larry Daniels
----- Original Message -----
From "Rick Lindsay" <rick at stoolhead.com>
To: "Kevin Valentine" <kevin@valentinephoto.net>; "Bud Pazur"
<bpazur@excel.net>
Cc: "Spridgets" <spridgets@Autox.Team.Net>
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2004 7:18 PM
Subject: Re: Block Heaters
Bud wrote...
>> I've been switching to antifreeze every winter but it's a hassle.
...then Kevin wrote,
> Stay with the antifreeze. A block heater will not keep them from
Perhaps I am missing something but I'll ask anyway. An antifreeze
solution is slang for 'coolant'. It adds anti-boil just as it adds anti-
freeze; boiling point elevation, freezing point depression. I can only
ask: Why would one NOT use it year round?
rick
Check out the new British Cars Forum:
http://www.team.net/the-local/tiki-view_forum.php?forumId=8
|