Dr L-88

I'm looking for suggestions as to the best method for flushing / cleaning the engine and cooling system on my 67. In 2009 I installed an aluminum 427 ZL-1 engine and a new DeWitts aluminum radiator. System was filled with distilled water and Zerex Z05 antifreeze.

What have you used to safely and thoroughly flush your radiator and engine? Plain water? Chemical cleaner? White vinegar?

Just looking for suggestions, and as always, THANKS for your help.

Rex

GTOguy

It depend on what you are trying to flush out. Rust, dirt, scale, and oil would all use different solutions. I used vinegar followed by washing soda on my very rusty '61 engine. Came out fine, took a few weeks.

MelWff

have you seen this product specifically for aluminum systems
http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80032...ews/B0023GM2UK

Dr L-88

Thanks guys. I failed to mention that the car has been driven about 300 miles since the build so I wouldn't expect to find much in the cooling system.......................other than coolant. Just trying to be proactive here.

Thanks,
Rex

MelWff

Buy a container of cooling system test strips. They measure the coolant freezing temperature and perhaps more important to you the PH of the fluid. If the PH is within range and the freezing temperature is acceptable I woudnt do anything.

http://acustrip.com/

tuxnharley

Anti freeze/coolant doesn't wear out per se. The additive packages do deteriorate with both time to a lesser degree and heat cycles to a larger degree. When that happens it can loose its ph balance and become corrosive.

Additives are available to restore the ph balance and the rust protection. If the coolant is clean I agree with testing first and then rebalancing the system.

If the coolant is dirty/rusty/sludgy cleaning and flushing is certainly called for.

It sounds like that from your description of the use of the vehicle you may be ok with testing first.

If you really want to go full out for long term protection and do decide to clean and flush, check out Evans Waterless Coolant. It is expensive and requires a thorough cleaning and prep, but it basically lasts forever. I used to work with a major collector who had 150+ cars.He converted to this stuff so as eliminate having to drain those that were stored.