I am flushing out the radiator again on the '54. I've heard about this Water Wetter product that will help out with keeping the engine cool and helping as an anti-corrosive. Where can I get this stuff?
You can get it at the auto parts store but a buddy of mine tried it and it didn't help a bit. For the price of it I would try to figure out why it isn't running as it should.
My car isn't having a problem running too hot or anything but the radiator is rusted a bit and I'm trying to keep the rust and corrosion down while I save the funds for a new radiator and exterior trans cooler.
Get some radiator cleaner at the parts store and clean your radiator out real good . The wetter weather is good if you have a cooling problems but that's it . Won't clean the radiator . Personally I would just get a good radiator shop to rebuild & rod the one you have . If it cools good why buy a new one ? Jim
Water Wetter is a Redline product (I think), most hi-performance shops will have it as well as Summit, ans most auto parts stores "should" have it.
Big seller here in Phoenix(Hells sister city) I have used it 10-12 degree temp drop in a clean system.
It only works as good as your radiator/coolant p***ages are. I put in a brand new aluminum radiator, new water pump, new intake manifold, new thermostat, flushed the line about 6 times and i'm running at 190 degrees. but if i'm in traffic or at a standstill it goes up and up to 230+. that's cause there's still **** in my block and i have no shroud..i'm working with my mechanical fan..a shroud will help keep it cooler. an electrical fan with shroud will keep it really cool. but i've used water wetter a few times and there's no difference if you already have coolant issues.
Johnny , you better get a fan shroud , they do make a difference . What size thermostat are you using ? Jim
I've had a few requests for fan shrouds and as soon I have a right shoulder again that works.... I'm all over them. Hell getting old and busted up....
You can get the chrome universal ones that sell at Speedway , Jegs , Summit and places like that . They are easier to get to work then trying to find a fan shroud for a radiator for a 1950 something Ford ! I found an older one from the 70's with the fan opening in the middle and worked out OK . Still in the upper 90's just about the only thing that works is an electric fan . I have one of those also and when I do the engine swap I am going to install one on the outside of the radiator and wire up as a pusher . Then I will have a switch to turn on as needed . Yes it ****s getting old and I also have bad shoulders and a really bad back ! I still will work on my cars till I can't ever move again ! When that happens I will then get someone to teach and make them do the work for me ! When it come down to me not working on my cars ever again , then that will be the day they stick me in the furnace and cook me then put my ashes into a jar ! Working on my cars just takes me to another time and place where everything is great ! That is my escape from reality for a short time ! Jim
I hear you Jim.... trouble is... I can work with only one hand right now.... my dumb left hand, but it's getting trained slowly. Hard to bend steel with one dumb hand. It doesn't keep me out of the shop!!!! Good news is that I can weld again!!!
I know how you feel Geno, I had shoulder surgery in May and now I have another in two weeks. I'm told that after this one I won't even be able to hold anything with my right hand for about six weeks. Thanks for all the information on the Water Wetter and the radiator in general. I don't know if I blew my trans cooler the other day but I'm taking the trans pan off to change the gasket, what color will the fluid be if I actually blew the trans cooler?
@ Jim - i have a 160 in there.. and the fan is 3/4" away from the radiator.. there's still junk in the block i know that for sure.. this winter i'm pulling the engine and cleaning the block out. On the highway i'm reading about 180 and it might go up to 190 or 200 at stop lights..but like i said i was stuck in traffic and it was slowly going up and up started to reach 230 then around 235-240 degrees i started revving the motor and it started to go down a little..there's way too many openings for air to go around the rad, i'm going to make my own shroud and probably just run the 17" electric fan i have..we'll see how that goes.
Johnny , when you pull your engine get a freeze plug kit and remove all the freeze plugs and then you can flush out the **** that way . Also get the brushes on a long metal shaft for cleaning out oil p***ages in blocks to loosen up all that **** in the block and heads too . You can also wrap the exhaust manifolds or headers to help keep the head down . Check your timing also and make sure it's set right . That will also make the engine run hot . If you clean the block good and use an electric fan you shouldn't have any problems with over heating again ! If you have any other questions , you can always email me at home . Jim
One way to clean out the block real good is to fill it with white vinegar, run it around for a day or two and flush. Supposed to make it look like new inside. Flush good with just water two or three times.
already ahead of you jimbo...got my freeze plug kit a month ago..also got some brushes and an adapter for a garden hose that turns it into a kind've pressure washer..
The Jalopy Journal
