C1 Radiator Flush
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
C1 Radiator Flush
Hi, Did a search and I couldn't find much info, my 62's been running hot and It's time for new anti freeze.
Has anyone tried the white vinegar flush, waste of time or worth it?
Thanks in advance for any reply's.
Has anyone tried the white vinegar flush, waste of time or worth it?
Thanks in advance for any reply's.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,290
Likes: 2,148
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Just remember that often the solids deposits in these old radiators keep the corrosion holes plugged and not leaking.
Larry
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
I had never used distilled water, we do have really hard water where I live.
So it's worth a try.
So it's worth a try.
If you were using a good coolant and DISTILLED Water, then it is a waste of time. If you used tap water that you know contains a lot of minerals and carbonates, then it may help.
Just remember that often the solids deposits in these old radiators keep the corrosion holes plugged and not leaking.
Larry
Just remember that often the solids deposits in these old radiators keep the corrosion holes plugged and not leaking.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 92
From: Lakeland FL
There are numerous posts on overheating, check them out. You may want to just run straight water (distilled) until you figure out your problem. If you do flush, make sure you drain both sides of the block, and this may require jugging out the opening to get it to drain. BTW, straight water cools better than antifreeze mix.
You can get a real good flush by putting in some heavy duty cleaner and driving the car for 10+ miles to get good contact, then do the full flushing to include the side block plugs.
My cooling issues were resolved using dewitt's aluminum radiator, vacuum advance distributor, and a flex fan. There are different opinions on this subject, to put it mildly....
You can get a real good flush by putting in some heavy duty cleaner and driving the car for 10+ miles to get good contact, then do the full flushing to include the side block plugs.
My cooling issues were resolved using dewitt's aluminum radiator, vacuum advance distributor, and a flex fan. There are different opinions on this subject, to put it mildly....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
[I don't have a problem when I'm driving, it hangs a 180 degrees, my problem occurs when I'm sitting still. Then she starts to climb. I even added an electric fan and that can't keep up.QUOTE=toms silver 60;1590547618]There are numerous posts on overheating, check them out. You may want to just run straight water (distilled) until you figure out your problem. If you do flush, make sure you drain both sides of the block, and this may require jugging out the opening to get it to drain. BTW, straight water cools better than antifreeze mix.
You can get a real good flush by putting in some heavy duty cleaner and driving the car for 10+ miles to get good contact, then do the full flushing to include the side block plugs.
My cooling issues were resolved using dewitt's aluminum radiator, vacuum advance distributor, and a flex fan. There are different opinions on this subject, to put it mildly....[/QUOTE]
You can get a real good flush by putting in some heavy duty cleaner and driving the car for 10+ miles to get good contact, then do the full flushing to include the side block plugs.
My cooling issues were resolved using dewitt's aluminum radiator, vacuum advance distributor, and a flex fan. There are different opinions on this subject, to put it mildly....
[/QUOTE]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 92
From: Lakeland FL
That doesn't sound good, the additional fan should make a noticeable improvement at idle (providing it is running and installed correctly).
Do a real good flush as mentioned above, and if that doesn't help, go through relevant threads for inspiration. There are a bunch of contributing possible factors. Good luck.
Do a real good flush as mentioned above, and if that doesn't help, go through relevant threads for inspiration. There are a bunch of contributing possible factors. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
Thanks!!, One question, I'm sure the block plugs have never been touched, I'm not getting a warm fuzzy feeling messing with them, can I flush without touching them? I have a flush fitting in one heater hose.
That doesn't sound good, the additional fan should make a noticeable improvement at idle (providing it is running and installed correctly).
Do a real good flush as mentioned above, and if that doesn't help, go through relevant threads for inspiration. There are a bunch of contributing possible factors. Good luck.
Do a real good flush as mentioned above, and if that doesn't help, go through relevant threads for inspiration. There are a bunch of contributing possible factors. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 92
From: Lakeland FL
The block drains are about one inch above the pan, exactly in the center. They can be boogers to get off, but well worth it, then you can put some good allen head type plugs with anti-seize in for the next time.
Just get car up on ramps and you can easily see them and what size they are. Use some blaster/penetrating oil beforehand to make things easier.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
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From: Washington Michigan
The block drains are about one inch above the pan, exactly in the center. They can be boogers to get off, but well worth it, then you can put some good allen head type plugs with anti-seize in for the next time.
Just get car up on ramps and you can easily see them and what size they are. Use some blaster/penetrating oil beforehand to make things easier.
Just get car up on ramps and you can easily see them and what size they are. Use some blaster/penetrating oil beforehand to make things easier.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 17,571
Likes: 3,460
From: Fresno California
I recently did the vinegar treatment on the engine in my '61 which had sat for over 20 years. It really got the rust out. I had flushed it normally previously, but it didn't touch the rust. I used a gallon of white vinegar and a gallon of distilled water, ran it up to temp, and let it sit for a week. The stuff that came out looked like coffee. I then neutralized it with washing soda and distilled water (not baking soda) and then had to flush THAT mess out several times. Final rinse was dishwashing detergent and distilled water, multiple flushes of plain distilled water to get the soap out, and then I was good to go with 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water. Took a LONG time, and I used the block drains, but I had a lot of rust in the system and didn't want to screw up the new DeWitts radiator. I did all my flushing with the old, junk radiator in place. Been driving it for 3 months or more, and the coolant is still green and clear, so it was worth it. Vinegar dissolves rust well, but you need to give it time to work, and you need to neutralize it afterward with washing soda. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,215
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From: NJ Hockey beer league
Plugs came out easy and you would not believe how much junk came out of there. I used a small magnet to get lots of pieces of rust out. Flushed it several times more. The one good thing about the C-1's for doing this job is the motor mount is in the front and you have easy access to the drain plugs. Quite a different story with the C-2's and later cars.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 131
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
Well, I flushed the cooling system & pulled the block plugs yesterday, really all that came out was clean anti freeze. It's cold here now so whether this helped or not won't be known till spring. The plugs came out pretty easy, probably due to the fact I had leaky valve cover gaskets forever. Put anti seize on the plugs so they will never be a problem.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 137
Likes: 17
is the Vinegar solution safe for a aluminum radiator? I have a 63 that sat for 15 years, I drained the radiator and lots of clumps came out but clean green antifreeze the IR gun on the intake has it 220 and heads are 235 where should I be checking the temp? it's not boiling over but hard to start after 30 min of driving