Technical anode use

On an engine with a cast iron block and heads with an aluminum intake and brass radiator should some type of anode be used in the radiator to protect the intake? If so, where do you get them? I guess it would need to be connected to ground and not just hanging around in the top radiator tank. How would that done?

 

There are radiator caps with sacrificial anodes attached.

 

Magnesium anodes are best. I use chunks of RV water heater anodes from Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RCB3M1P/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You are correct in****umig that the anode has to be connected to something. I generally solder a short lead to the center rivet in the radiator cap that completes the circuit to the radiator and thence to the rest of the engine

The galvanic table shows why thiis is.



For a more detailed explanation, see this : https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2041005&highlight=weak+battery#post2041005

 

https://boatzincs.com/categories/zinc-anodes/engine-anodes-complete.html
This is where I have been purchasing and the brass capped ones just thread into a NPT hole where you decide to locate it....also, I've been running extended life coolant....

 

Thanks, I did not think of screwing it in a threaded hole.. I'll have to go down to the garage and see what holes would work.

 

Just make sure it's Magnesium. Some alloys of zinc have the same galvanic potential as aluminum and will provide little or no protection. No matter what the alloy, Magnesium is better than zinc..

 

Every anode I have bought from a “boat shop” has worked quite well;because every time I have removed them(3 times per year on average) there is plenty of “barnacles” on them. Yes, I use also antifreeze and distilled water. I do not know what the “boat shop” anodes are constructed of; I just know they have done their job because after pulling the Edelbrock heads with 3 years of continuous use, the heads still look NEW in the water jacket areas. It is also a good idea to ground the radiator because they are known to carry a small amount of current if not grounded!!

 

John, There should NOT be any deposits ("barnacles") on the anodes, because they actually deteriorate while being used. Check out the pictures in my first post on the link I posted to see what actually happens to the anode when properly installed. If you are getting deposits, something is very wrong.

Also, just out of curiosity, what do the pictures you posted have to do with this?

 

Before I install my water pump I toss a chunk of magnesium in the block water jacket.

 

Which should work, as the anode (magnesium chunk) is in contact with the cathode (block) in the presence of an electrolyte (coolant). (Unitil the anode is completely consumed.)

 

My old****mins has one of the threaded ones screwed into lower coolant inlet hose housing

 

I’ve been using a zinc one from the boat place shown above for years. But I’m going to switch it out for a magnesium one.