Stuff in coolant

[Don Frelier]

There is your problem right there.

Please explain how tap water creates the substance he's shown. I don't think so.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Please explain how tap water creates the substance he's shown. I don't think so.

Hard water deposits are not helping and probably causing the problems.

 

[autoxcuda]

Calcium and/or minerals in water. Like what’s inside an old water heater.

 

[Dennis H]

I use ginger from the kitchen cabinet, lasts until you change coolant. Yes, get a filter in the top hose. Unless you pull your engine for overall, and heater core, radiator, be hard to collect all of that debris. Not changing your antifreeze in a timely manner and poor choice for water cause what you have. You should have seen my orginal Darts cooling system when I tore it down. Someone must have lived in mineral springs and never changed the coolant! There is Borax in the old antifreeze, maybe still is. When coolant isn't changed regularly and or poor water choice and PH ( acid) build up, that's what you get. Chunks. Reverse osmosis water is best, then distilled. Google it. Make sure that your new aluminum radiator fits.

I remember Ginger. Ginger Baker. I could us some Ginger right now. Man…

 

[440 4 speed]

My wife had a client that owned a radiator shop. He recommended changing antifreeze at least every 3 years.
Back in the 50’s, maybe earlier my father started to use snow water which he would strain into glass jugs. Never had a rad or block flushed. He passed away in 1992.
If I was doing major engine work, I would definitely have the block cleaned.

 

[eldubb440]

I had an AMC 390 engine with the water jackets packed tight with black carbon looking crap.....yes, it ran hot

 

[Splangj]

I’m going to flush the block and radiator fully then. My 91 Nissan with 262,000 miles still has most of its original antifreeze in it. I’ve changed the water pump and thermostat once, then topped it of with some fresh coolant. Still runs good and cool.

 

[eldubb440]

the AMC engine needed to come apart, we broke up the crap with an ice pick and coat hangers

 

[QuickBpBp]

the AMC engine needed to come apart, we broke up the crap with an ice pick and coat hangers

Sounds like a 440 I rebuilt back in high school except it was chipping off hardened sludge from the rocker shafts to get them off!!! Had nothing but Quaker State since new... It actually caked the valve covers solid too.. Still ran fine and no issues I was shocked when I opened it the amount of crap in there...

 

[autoxcuda]

I had an AMC 390 engine with the water jackets packed tight with black carbon looking crap.....yes, it ran hot

I personally use a coat hanger, curved hose pick, etc to carefully pick through every passage. It will take some time, that why I don’t rely on a shop.

Makes huge difference.