My father has an original 1948 Super A. He says that because of the "wet sleeves" that using regular antifreeze will somehow ruin the engine. For years we would use straight water in the summer and Methanol in the winter. It seems that Methanol is no longer available. Does anyone else use Methanol or can you use regular antifreeze without trouble?
- Thread starter 56Utility
- Start date
There is a special antifreeze or antifreeze additive for modern heavy duty diesels which helps to combat cavitation of those wet sleeves along with having other anti corrosion and protection benefits. there are also other formulations for various reasons such as bio-friendlyness or what amounts to dealer revenue generators (extended life for example).
The farmall A might benefit over 100 years from such expensive coolant, but many at nearly 70 years old have been fine with the traditional economy formula, or very hard tap water in the summer.
It is odd that "heavy duty" modern marvels that are 10000 times more powerful than an old Farmall are so much more fragile than a lil ol A!
karl f
The farmall A might benefit over 100 years from such expensive coolant, but many at nearly 70 years old have been fine with the traditional economy formula, or very hard tap water in the summer.
It is odd that "heavy duty" modern marvels that are 10000 times more powerful than an old Farmall are so much more fragile than a lil ol A!
karl f
IN the old days they drained the antifreeze in the summer and used water, then put antifreeze back in in winter. Supposed to save antifreeze. Then they came out and said antifreeze has a higher boiling point and it was a coolant as well. Some antifreeze is more of a red color if that makes you feel better.
charles todd
Well-known Member
Doesn't most antifreeze have rust inhibitors in it?
Charles
Charles
old
Well-known Member
- Location
- Camdenton Missouri
If that where true most of us would have tractors that leaked badly and also probably would not even run. I have and always do run anti freeze in all my tractors. Be they red, green, orange gold or gray. And yes I have all those colors and then some
Hobby farm
Hobby farm
Hugh MacKay
Well-known Member
56Utility: I've got a SA and 130 that have had antifreeze in them for a half century, seems to work OK.
I think your dad is possibly confusing another issue with Super A tractors. Prior to serial number 336711 the radiator was non pressurized, and thermosyphon circulation. In those days all anti-freeze was alcohol based. The SA would evaporate the alcohol, leaving pure water, thus the reason we have so many patched blocks.
A lot of folks decided to run pure methanol, it still evaporated, but at least there was nothing to freeze, and break the block. I suspect this is your dad's real concern as well.
I think your dad is possibly confusing another issue with Super A tractors. Prior to serial number 336711 the radiator was non pressurized, and thermosyphon circulation. In those days all anti-freeze was alcohol based. The SA would evaporate the alcohol, leaving pure water, thus the reason we have so many patched blocks.
A lot of folks decided to run pure methanol, it still evaporated, but at least there was nothing to freeze, and break the block. I suspect this is your dad's real concern as well.
John M
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nunyafn business
I have to agree with everyone, and old makes a great statement. Color isnt important as quality. In fact many antifreezes are made by the same company, just bottled under different names and colors.
yes, all antifreeze has anti-rust properties.
Many heavy diesel engine manufacturers require more specialized additives than auto manufacturers.
http://www.peakantifreeze.com/fleetcharge.htm
basically this product in the link contains the same product as the water filter on many IH diesels, purified water, and some other additives. It is ethylene glycol and so is automotive extended life. It's the other additives that differ. Bobcat uses a propylene glycol, which is "safe to drink." it may be required for forestry or food plant uses, but otherwise i see no benefit--you cannot mix the two bases however!!
simple fluids are getting too complicated!
karl f
fleet charge
Many heavy diesel engine manufacturers require more specialized additives than auto manufacturers.
http://www.peakantifreeze.com/fleetcharge.htm
basically this product in the link contains the same product as the water filter on many IH diesels, purified water, and some other additives. It is ethylene glycol and so is automotive extended life. It's the other additives that differ. Bobcat uses a propylene glycol, which is "safe to drink." it may be required for forestry or food plant uses, but otherwise i see no benefit--you cannot mix the two bases however!!
simple fluids are getting too complicated!
karl f
fleet charge
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
I disagree with putting "green" antifreeze in a Farmall. Putting anything green in, on or around a Farmall is just not right. Although not criminal it is just plain wrong. Please use only red antifreeze.
We used Zerone years ago that was alcohol and back then most water cooled engines had thermostats for 160 degrees. Usually would drain it in the spring. When engine temps went to 180 and then 195 you had to use permanent anti-freeze such as Prestone, Peak or Zerex. Permanent doesn't mean forever it just won't boil away. It needs to be changed periodically since it will lose the rust inhibitor. One gallon of raw antifreeze will make 2 gallons of a 50-50 mix and even at todays prices it isn't that expensive and I would stay with the name brands.
Hal
Hal
Andy Motteberg
Well-known Member
I've never had any problems with green antifreeze in our tractors.
At first glance you'd think railroad locomotive engines are using anti-freeze. It's
green & slick, looks, feels and smells just like antifreeze. But, it's not. It"s just a water treatment. They drop it in in tablet form, and it makes the mixture. (sometimes it"s purple) When we have failures out on the road with these, in freezing temps, we have to manually drain the cooling system, or it will freeze quickly, usually in the radiators first. (The 30 ton engine blocks will hold heat for quite a while) If they shut down and no one is aware, they will auto-drain in about 30 minutes. 250 gallons of steaming green fluid running out the side, seen it many times.
green & slick, looks, feels and smells just like antifreeze. But, it's not. It"s just a water treatment. They drop it in in tablet form, and it makes the mixture. (sometimes it"s purple) When we have failures out on the road with these, in freezing temps, we have to manually drain the cooling system, or it will freeze quickly, usually in the radiators first. (The 30 ton engine blocks will hold heat for quite a while) If they shut down and no one is aware, they will auto-drain in about 30 minutes. 250 gallons of steaming green fluid running out the side, seen it many times.
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