My MG left all its coolant on the side of the road a few weeks ago, so it's going to be getting some fresh coolant when the new radiator gets here(which seems to be taking forever, but that's where I am).
In the past, I've either used generic parts store brand or Prestone at either 33% or 50% depending on the season when I was filling it. Since this will be going in for the fall, and the new radiator should cool a bit more efficiently than the old one, I'm going straight for 50%.
There's nothing particularly special or exotic about this engine. It's a cast iron block and head with a brass/copper radiator.
Prestone green has always given me good results, but I'm wondering if there's an alternative I should consider. I'm guessing that for this engine, I can pretty much throw anything at it and be fine, but I want to make sure.
Best Classic "Green" Coolant
- Thread starter bunnspecial
- Start date
Originally Posted by bunnspecial
Prestone green has always given me good results,
If it's a copper radiator Prestone long life ( or any long life coolant) is the wrong stuff. It eats through the solder which may explain your radiator failure.
FWIW, the radiator failure came from a bent fan blade chewing a hole in it-not it simply springing a leak with no other provocation.
Valvoline Zerex conventional Green is a true 5 year coolant (most greens aren't), and when I was looking around (previous car) that my mechanic told me needed it, this brand of green coolant met the most specs, so I went with that. For my current vehicles, I use Zerex Asian coolant.
I've always been partial to Zerek green IAT coolant only because they claim it is good for 5 years or 100,000 miles. I still change mine every 2 years. We had a discussion a few months ago here about it possibly having some organic chemistry (based on patent info), but some correspondence with their techs. supposedly dispelled that idea. https://sharena21.springcm.com/Publ...bd3/30815c70-0dbd-e711-9c12-ac162d889bd1
Preaching to the choir: this old Paul Weissler article claims that the old conventional coolant is best for iron block/copper-brass radiator systems: https://www.motor.com/magazine-summ...easy-being-green-or-yellow-or-orange-or/
Originally Posted by doitmyself
this old Paul Weissler article claims that the old conventional coolant is best for iron block/copper-brass radiator systems: https://www.motor.com/magazine-summ...easy-being-green-or-yellow-or-orange-or/
Try Zerex G-05, it's a long life coolant without the plastic munching 2-EHA found in Dexcool....
https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/antifreeze-products/g-05-antifreeze-coolant
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Originally Posted by bunnspecial
In the past, I've either used generic parts store brand or Prestone at either 33% or 50% depending on the season when I was filling it. Since this will be going in for the fall, and the new radiator should cool a bit more efficiently than the old one, I'm going straight for 50%.
There's nothing particularly special or exotic about this engine. It's a cast iron block and head with a brass/copper radiator.
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Honda Green or John Deere if you live near a tractor dealer
Originally Posted by Mad_Hatter
I suppose you could use a global but why? Green is cheap and readily available. Just D&F it every 2~3yrs and you'll be fine.
My advice; stay away from English cars 
I've used NAPA Classic Green coolant in the older vehicles since the original Prestone green became scarce ~10 years or so ago. From the research I did then, it seemed to be the closest to traditional conventional green. Granted I change coolant every 3 years, w/ very low mileage, but I've been satisfied. I do not trust any of the modern formulations on vintage soldered copper/brass radiators or heater cores, and don't see much of a reason to experiment.
Curious as to which new radiator you ordered and how you find the quality. I'd find someone to recore your original and keep it around as a spare.
I've used NAPA Classic Green coolant in the older vehicles since the original Prestone green became scarce ~10 years or so ago. From the research I did then, it seemed to be the closest to traditional conventional green. Granted I change coolant every 3 years, w/ very low mileage, but I've been satisfied. I do not trust any of the modern formulations on vintage soldered copper/brass radiators or heater cores, and don't see much of a reason to experiment.
Curious as to which new radiator you ordered and how you find the quality. I'd find someone to recore your original and keep it around as a spare.Have a TR7. Back when Dexcool came out in the 90's touting extended change intervals, I flushed out all the green stuff and put in the Dexcool. Haven't had a problem yet.
Zerex green is preferred.
Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by Mad_Hatter
I suppose you could use a global but why? Green is cheap and readily available. Just D&F it every 2~3yrs and you'll be fine.
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Motorcraft VC-5 is old green and any Ford dealer should have it.
i had the copper radiator out of my bike,and checked with Valvoline on what would work in it. Their recommendation was G-05.
Originally Posted by wings&wheels
My advice; stay away from English cars
I've used NAPA Classic Green coolant in the older vehicles since the original Prestone green became scarce ~10 years or so ago. From the research I did then, it seemed to be the closest to traditional conventional green. Granted I change coolant every 3 years, w/ very low mileage, but I've been satisfied. I do not trust any of the modern formulations on vintage soldered copper/brass radiators or heater cores, and don't see much of a reason to experiment.
Curious as to which new radiator you ordered and how you find the quality. I'd find someone to recore your original and keep it around as a spare.
I've used NAPA Classic Green coolant in the older vehicles since the original Prestone green became scarce ~10 years or so ago. From the research I did then, it seemed to be the closest to traditional conventional green. Granted I change coolant every 3 years, w/ very low mileage, but I've been satisfied. I do not trust any of the modern formulations on vintage soldered copper/brass radiators or heater cores, and don't see much of a reason to experiment.
Curious as to which new radiator you ordered and how you find the quality. I'd find someone to recore your original and keep it around as a spare.
I just got a notification that the replacement is FINALLY shipping out tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have it next week. I'll see what it looks like, but these are generally getting favorable reviews(it's apparently the same one that Moss sells as stock/OEM replacement).
A recore is alarmingly expensive, but I'll also likely hold on to the original just in case. If the replacement ends up being terrible, I'll go that route.