Factory antifreeze in the late 60's ??

[Cranky]

Did Chrysler or AMC 'experiment' with a different kind of antifreeze that was supposed to be somewhat acidic? I know they have this organic acid technology (OAT) formula nowadays but did they try something similar back then?

 

[khryslerkid]

 

[Cranky]

Anyone....anyone....

 

[Mike67]

That could definitely explain the 60s.....

 

[Dibbons]

Don't know, but changed out the original factory-fill antifreeze/coolant in my parents new '71 Road Runner with some "Goodyear" brand antifreeze that came in metal containers (I think it may have been a bluish color). A year later, the radiator was full of rust. I am still upset about that.

 

[moparedtn]

I've been doing some reading on this subject recently, since it's about time for me to swap out the distilled water/Water Wetr mix for antifreeze for the winter.
Ethylene glycol, the green default antifreeze since WW2, is indeed caustic to metals and of course, poisonous to critters to boot.

I find it curious that some folks are selling a propylene glycol based antifreeze these days (such as Amsoil). Being in the fire protection biz all my adult life, I'm very familiar with propylene glycol, since it's what we typically use in antifreeze based fire sprinkler systems.
Use of this particular product comes with its' own issues, namely, the stuff is VERY expensive these days (thanks, EPA). It's also, ironically, VERY flammable unless it is sufficiently diluted with water - which is why antifreeze "loops" aren't allowed to be installed for fire protection anymore.
Not good when the fire protection becomes the fire accelerant, you know.

The Evans waterless coolant is attractive, until you figure cost into it. Ouch.

It's also ironic, at least to me, that another suggested replacement for ethylene glycol these days is glycerine based - the product ethylene glycol was first developed to replace back in the late 1800's because it was so expensive to produce.
They were both first created to be used in the production of high explosives (dynamite).

What to use, indeed?

 

[walter funkhouser]

I've been doing some reading on this subject recently, since it's about time for me to swap out the distilled water/Water Wetr mix for antifreeze for the winter.
Ethylene glycol, the green default antifreeze since WW2, is indeed caustic to metals and of course, poisonous to critters to boot.

I find it curious that some folks are selling a propylene glycol based antifreeze these days (such as Amsoil). Being in the fire protection biz all my adult life, I'm very familiar with propylene glycol, since it's what we typically use in antifreeze based fire sprinkler systems.
Use of this particular product comes with its' own issues, namely, the stuff is VERY expensive these days (thanks, EPA). It's also, ironically, VERY flammable unless it is sufficiently diluted with water - which is why antifreeze "loops" aren't allowed to be installed for fire protection anymore.
Not good when the fire protection becomes the fire accelerant, you know.

The Evans waterless coolant is attractive, until you figure cost into it. Ouch.

It's also ironic, at least to me, that another suggested replacement for ethylene glycol these days is glycerine based - the product ethylene glycol was first developed to replace back in the late 1800's because it was so expensive to produce.
They were both first created to be used in the production of high explosives (dynamite).

What to use, indeed?

Back in the 60s and 70s I was a Chrysler Plymouth mechanic,Ma Mopar told us there was a reaction to the solder used in the rad with anti freeze used,caused the corrosion problems.

 

[mopar73dge]

I use Auto Zone pre 2001 anti freeze, green. It reads for the older cars good for 2years or 24000 miles, The owners manual tells you to flush every year can't believe it but that is what you would do to keep everything running and cooling properly. since I drive this 318 Charger only 1100 miles a year I think I will be fine for many years to come with the green 24k anti freeze.

 

[khryslerkid]

I use Auto Zone pre 2001 anti freeze, green. It reads for the older cars good for 2years or 24000 miles, The owners manual tells you to flush every year can't believe it but that is what you would do to keep everything running and cooling properly. since I drive this 318 Charger only 1100 miles a year I think I will be fine for many years to come with the green 24k anti freeze.

2 years or 24k, which ever comes first.

 

[lewtot184]

my '68 road runner had green anti-freeze from the factory. I always assumed it was prestone because at that time green was prestone's color. the other anti-freeze was zerex and it was pinkish-red. I never used zerex, not because it was bad, I just stuck with what I thought was factory.

 

[oldbee]

Don't know, but changed out the original factory-fill antifreeze/coolant in my parents new '71 Road Runner with some "Goodyear" brand antifreeze that came in metal containers (I think it may have been a bluish color). A year later, the radiator was full of rust. I am still upset about that.

Kinda remember an a/f shortage in the late(?)70's and unscrupulous people were selling 55gal drums of saltwater(tinted grn/bluish) as a/f. Well,,,, it didn't freeze!

 

[khryslerkid]

my '68 road runner had green anti-freeze from the factory. I always assumed it was prestone because at that time green was prestone's color. the other anti-freeze was zerex and it was pinkish-red. I never used zerex, not because it was bad, I just stuck with what I thought was factory.

Didn't Zerex have a blue for awhile also?

Working in the dealerships and small time garages, of course I remember green. Then it seems there was a yellow for a short period of time. Then mostly green again. Then with the aluminum heads on cast iron blocks, they introduced the red.

Where's the thread on this? We had a chemist chime in with all the info between these. Mostly just a dye added for color but not much difference between them is what I remember.

 

[Cranky]

Didn't Zerex have a blue for awhile also?

Working in the dealerships and small time garages, of course I remember green. Then it seems there was a yellow for a short period of time. Then mostly green again. Then with the aluminum heads on cast iron blocks, they introduced the red.

Where's the thread on this? We had a chemist chime in with all the info between these. Mostly just a dye added for color but not much difference between them is what I remember.

That's pretty much what I've always read....mostly the same but just dyed different colors.

 

[oldbee]

In the 60's everything was green, there wasn't even "pre-mix" back then. The blue may have been a marketing technique yrs later? I'm almost sure yellow,red was from different chemical makeup for newer engines(primarily aluminum parts being added?).

 

[Dibbons]

Circa 1973-74, I used a lot of liquid steel filling in all the aluminum eaten away from the aluminum timing cover of my '65 273 motor. Later, during the second rebuild, I replaced the timing chain cover.

 

[Dennis H]

Green.

 

[oldbee]

Dennis can you maybe shorten up ur answer? !!!

 

[Cranky]

LOL

 

[snakeyes]

thought that I had read an article so where about using extended life antifreeze which utilizes organic additive technology OAT as one of its chemicals ever be used in our older cars because it attacks the gaskets and gasket cements causing major leaks and to avoid any extended-life antifreeze , I will look around for that article

 

[snakeyes]

https://forum.hetclub.org/discussion/167056/antique-auto-anti-freeze https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2011/04/26/cool-under-pressure http://www.ncregionaaca.com/firstcapital/index.php/old-cars-and-antifreeze http://www.ncregionaaca.com/firstcapital/index.php/old-cars-and-antifreeze http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a91/1272436/