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Discussion Topic:
Ethylene glycol vs. propylene glycol
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Grant |
02-03-2010 @ 6:45 PM
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Senior
Posts: 537
Joined: Oct 2009
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In the Tech Tips column on page 17 of the November December 2009 issue of the V8 Times, Dick Flynn says: "......only use Propylene Glycol antifreeze. It won't ruin engine bearings if it leaks into the engine oil. Ethylene Glycol will instantly destroy all bearings. Ethylene Glycol will attack aluminum heads, thermostat housings, and lead in the solder in the radiator called lead blume." I have never even heard of propylene glycol. Is it sold under a common brand name? Where do you fellows in the USA purchase this product? How many EFV8 members use this as a coolant, rather than "normal" antifreeze? Is it for flathead FoMoCo engines only? One of our cars still has (sorry, guys) a small block Chev engine in it which the previous owner had installed.....should I be running propylene glycol in that engine as well as in our '50, '51 and '52 flathead V8s? Thanks, Grant
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Kens 36 |
02-03-2010 @ 7:18 PM
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Member
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Joined: Oct 2009
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Grant, Sierra Brand and Prestone LowTox are both Propylene Glycol based. You will find a lot of discussion on the web about both types of antifreeze and their effects on aluminum engine parts. Ken
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Grant |
02-03-2010 @ 7:34 PM
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Senior
Posts: 537
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thank you, Ken. I will check out the information on the web.
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42guy |
02-03-2010 @ 7:52 PM
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New Member
Posts: 108
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have been using the Sierra brand for about 4 years now. No problems so far.
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trjford8 |
02-03-2010 @ 9:03 PM
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Senior
Posts: 4220
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Supereal, who is our resident flathead guru on the forum, always uses propylene glycol. He uses the Sierra brand. One benefit is it is not toxic to animals.
This message was edited by trjford8 on 2-3-10 @ 9:04 PM
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flathead4rd |
02-04-2010 @ 5:33 AM
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New Member
Posts: 169
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I had a hard time finding Sierra antifreeze this year. Tried Murrays (now O'Reilly's) and Autozone. For some reason they both quit stocking it. Finally found it at NAPA.
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Grant |
02-04-2010 @ 6:17 AM
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Senior
Posts: 537
Joined: Oct 2009
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Thanks again, gentlemen. There is a NAPA store in Port Huron, Michigan which is about 50 miles from our location. The first spring 2010 cross-border shopping trip will include several jugs of this Sierra antifreeze product, two gallons of Marvel Mystery Oil and several bags of 2-4D Weed and Feed for the lawn (the last two items are both illegal now here in Ontario due to overly-green idiots in government).
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Billc |
02-04-2010 @ 1:02 PM
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Member
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Joined: Jan 2010
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I heard that you can't mix Sierra at all with ethylene glycol. How clean must the engine be? What is the result of mixing the two? Bill
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flathead4rd |
02-04-2010 @ 2:06 PM
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New Member
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Just draining and flushing the radiator is sufficient when changing over to Sierra. I use distilled water instead of tap water to avoid calcium and lime deposits. Also, You need a different hydrometer to check Sierra antifreze for it's freezing point protection. An ethylene Glycol tester won't work. I live in Michigan and find a 50/50 mix is sufficient for our 10 below (farenheit) temperatures.
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Stroker |
02-04-2010 @ 3:10 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1460
Joined: Oct 2009
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Boy! I'd sure agree with Flathead4RD on the distilled water. I never mix anti-freeze with anything but! This is especially critical with engines that have an iron/aluminum mix (alloy heads/iron block). I'd sooner pour "ditch water" in my battery than I would in my radiator, as batteries are relatively speaking, cheaper than engines. Rainwater's good, "de-ionized water" is good, distilled is the best. I grew up in a warm climate, so we didn't use anti-freeze. We did, however, always add a emulsified lubricant such as Mac's #13 water pump lube to the distilled water. I now live in "Siberia", and use Sierra in everything. I've pulled aftermarket (Edebrock) heads off of my flatmotor after many years of service with the above precautions, and they look like new.
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