Yes, sometimes

Posted by Bob Johnson on March 25, 1998 at 15:26:50

In Reply to: Antifreeze - Should it be used?
posted by Don Elson on March 25, 1998 at 09:42:44

Don,
Everyone has a different answer to this question. You should get many here.
First some background.When the Model A was new the common antifreeze was grain alcohol (ethanol). It was only added to the water in the winter since it would evaporate in the summer.The reason it would evaporate is that the cooling system in a Model A is an 'open system'.This means that it is not pressurized and the water/antifreeze can escape from the system when it gets too hot.
Today we use ethylene glychol or propylene glychol as antifreeze.These work best in modern cooling systems that are closed systems. Not only do they stop the coolant from freezing they help in the cooling because they are better at transfering the heat. The antifreeze compounds also have a rust inhibitor to prevent rust.
Why use antifreeze
1) If the temperature drops below freezing your block will not crack because the water froze.
2) The rust inhibitor will help stop rust.
3) The coolant will transfer heat better.
Why not to
1) Modern antifreeze will tend to foam up in a Model A and come out the overflow tube and make a mess.
2) Model A head gaskets tend to leak antifreeze through their middle layer.
3) It cost more than water.

So what do you do ?If you do not live in and area that has freezing weather than do not use antifreeze.If your Model A is going to be in freezing weather but you do not use it during the freezing weather, use water and when you store the car for the winter drain it and put in antifreeze.If you are going to use the car during freezing conditions then you must use an antifreeze.You should try the new ones that use propylene glychol since they foam less.You should also consider using some sort of overflow container connected to the overflow tube.Lastly if you use just water you should add a rust inhibitor to the cooling system to prevent rust.
Bob

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