What coolant mixture for alum radiator

66 Tiger · Apr 15, 2005

Well after spending countless hours researching the forums, based on all the different recomendations, I finally purchased a Ramcharger dual elec fan & an alum Griffin radiator. Hopefully that will take care of some cooling issues that I have been dealing with. I'm doing the install this weekend & could use some advice on the optimum coolant mixture. Should I use coolant, or just distilled water? What about products like water wetter & at what ratios are you using them?
Also, does any one recomend a certain type or technique of flushing the current coolant system fluid out before installing the new radiator?
Thanks...

88GTsocal · Apr 15, 2005

90Qtrhorse said:
Well after spending countless hours researching the forums, based on all the different recomendations, I finally purchased a Ramcharger dual elec fan & an alum Griffin radiator. Hopefully that will take care of some cooling issues that I have been dealing with. I'm doing the install this weekend & could use some advice on the optimum coolant mixture. Should I use coolant, or just distilled water? What about products like water wetter & at what ratios are you using them?
Also, does any one recomend a certain type or technique of flushing the current coolant system fluid out before installing the new radiator?
Thanks...

Since you're in Florida, you don't need to worry about freezing temperatures, you should use a 70/30 mix of water/ethylene glycol (green coolant). I live in southern CA and I use this ratio in my vehicles. 70/30 is good for warm climates since water is a better carrying away heat then coolant is.
I have no personal expierence with Water Wetter or similar products, but I have heard it works.
When flushing the cooling system, I drain the old coolant, fill it up with water and run until warm and the drain again. You can repeat as many times as you like or until you're satisfied that water is coming out relatively clear.

GroverDill · Apr 15, 2005

I also do 70/30 I use distilled water as well.

Insane3D · Apr 15, 2005

I am going with the exact same setup up this spring. I've already got the Griffin, just need to pick up the Ramcharger fan and some hoses and misc stuff. I drive the car year round up here though, and it dips as low as -20F, so I run 50/50. What I think I may do is to run 70/30, then switch to 50/50 once the winter rolls around.

One thing you might consider is using distilled water. The water up here is very hard, and has tons of minerals in it. If your water isn't the best, it may break down faster and possibly leave deposits..

I'll keep my eye on this thread.

BTW-, did you ge the fan with the harness and switch by chance? I'd be interested to see what it looks like if you did. I might try and save some $$$ and make my own harness.

66 Tiger · Apr 15, 2005

Insane3D said:
BTW-, did you ge the fan with the harness and switch by chance? I'd be interested to see what it looks like if you did. I might try and save some $$$ and make my own harness.

I got the fan without the harness. I have been running different junk yard fans for the last year, so I already had the necessary wiring under the hood. The nice thing about the harness though, would be that it is COMPLETE. You won't have to go around scrounging relays, misc connectors, wires, switches, etc... I used to install car audio systems so fortunately I had everything that I needed laying around.

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5spd GT · Apr 15, 2005

I'm wanting to get a Dual Ramchargers fan setup with the harness along with the DCC controller...I need money though...lol.

I run a 50/50 mix of distilled water and coolant...

I believe most cars come from the factory with 70/30 (coolant over water). We did a test in our chemistry class of the actual composition of our coolant systems and the "new" vehicles in where the coolant had never been touched kept running almost dead on with the 70/30 mix...

This is in Arkansas...where it might drop below 0* here and there in the winter...nothing major...but where in the summer some places can see 110* F

Insane3D · Apr 15, 2005

90Qtrhorse said:
I got the fan without the harness. I have been running different junk yard fans for the last year, so I already had the necessary wiring under the hood. The nice thing about the harness though, would be that it is COMPLETE. You won't have to go around scrounging relays, misc connectors, wires, switches, etc... I used to install car audio systems so fortunately I had everything that I needed laying around.

Yeah. Well, I'm comfortable with wiring, and I have al ot of supplies here from stereo installs, and my charging system rewiring project. I know I can get nice Bosch 30A relays for like $2ea, and get some decent wire easily enough. What sort of things would I need to go to a junkyard for?

Anything I didn't have, I could order myself, and it should be a good deal less than $50. I also have a switch now for a set of aftermarket driving lights, and I plan on snagging the billet aluminum switch panel that replaces the ashtray in the center console. I was planning on picking up two nice switches anyhow.

I know a lot of people use the DC unit, but up here it doesn't get more than 85-90 for about a month or so a year, and not all the time. Since I will be removing my condensor, and I have a mildly modded motor, I should be fine just letting it warm up and flipping it on low.

66 Tiger · Apr 15, 2005

Insane3D said:
What sort of things would I need to go to a junkyard for?

Anything I didn't have, I could order myself, and it should be a good deal less than $50. I also have a switch now for a set of aftermarket driving lights, and I plan on snagging the billet aluminum switch panel that replaces the ashtray in the center console. I was planning on picking up two nice switches anyhow.

I know a lot of people use the DC unit, but up here it doesn't get more than 85-90 for about a month or so a year, and not all the time. Since I will be removing my condensor, and I have a mildly modded motor, I should be fine just letting it warm up and flipping it on low.

NOt sure about the junkyard thing... I used a fan out of a lincoln & one out of a cougar. The cougar fan actually cooled the temp about 5 deg lower than the lincoln fan! Again though, I was dealing with used fans so who knows what kind of shape they were in when I got to them? LOL

If you have all the parts necesary for the wiring, go for it. I was happy to save the money too. I decided not to go with the DC controller because it's so hot where I live. ( kind of the opposite of you ) Seems to always be around 85-90 so I'll just run the fan constantly. I did install a lighted switch though in the EQ blank under the stereo so I have the option of turning it off.

Insane3D · Apr 15, 2005

Thanks. I was hoping if someone had one with the harness that comes with it, I could see how they have it wired, and what exactly I would need.

5spd GT · Apr 15, 2005

90QtrHorse (aka Bad Santa) - I absolutely love your switch/cd player layout. I guess when I get my dcc controller/fan setup that I'll go by my local audio installers and see what they can set me up with... to your switch setup

HISSIN50 · Apr 15, 2005

90Qtrhorse said:
I used to install car audio systems so fortunately I had everything that I needed laying around.

[/IMG]

except a trim ring for your stereo.

just kidding with ya - it looks nice.

5spd GT · Apr 15, 2005

HISSIN50 said:
except a trim ring for your stereo.

just kidding with ya - it looks nice.

Yeah I got the trim ring covered just not the switch/panel/dcc controller/dual ramchargers fan...etc...

Stang8URMPRT · Apr 15, 2005

I bought the premix 50/50 from the parts store to make sure it was dead on. I know in the instructions, it stated to make sure to use 50/50 with the Griffin, so that's why I didn't play around with trying to get it perfect using water and coolant.... the 50/50 mixture comes with distilled water in the mix.

Insane3D · Apr 15, 2005

Stang8URMPRT said:
I bought the premix 50/50 from the parts store to make sure it was dead on. I know in the instructions, it stated to make sure to use 50/50 with the Griffin, so that's why I didn't play around with trying to get it perfect using water and coolant.... the 50/50 mixture comes with distilled water in the mix.

Yeah, but will 50/50 cut it in colder climates? I'm thinking @ -20F, it might be better to have 70/30.

5spd GT · Apr 15, 2005

Insane3d - You would probably be fine but I would do the 70/30 in your case...me and Nick (stang8urimport) don't have climates that cold though I get semi-close to it in the "dead" of winter...

MarSaleenMustan · Apr 15, 2005

umm for warmer weather i would go with 70 coolant and 30 water. i noticed if i read correctly a couple of guys have it the otherway around.

Stang8URMPRT · Apr 15, 2005

Yeah, it rarely gets below 32 here in Daytona Beach. Didn't really think about you guys up there in the arctic.

HISSIN50 · Apr 15, 2005

MarSaleenMustan said:
umm for warmer weather i would go with 70 coolant and 30 water. i noticed if i read correctly a couple of guys have it the otherway around.

i think you typed it backwards.

water transfers heat 2.6 times better than E/G coolant. in a warmer climate, where freeze protection is not so crucial, running a higher ratio of water can help keep things cool.

Insane3D · Apr 15, 2005

Stang8URMPRT said:
Yeah, it rarely gets below 32 here in Daytona Beach. Didn't really think about you guys up there in the arctic.

New England isn't quite the artic...but it tries sometimes..

You mean you guys don't know the joy of driving the stang in a 22" snowstorm?

MarSaleenMustan · Apr 15, 2005

HISSIN50 said:
i think you typed it backwards.

water transfers heat 2.6 times better than E/G coolant. in a warmer climate, where freeze protection is not so crucial, running a higher ratio of water can help keep things cool.

doh, you're right

What coolant mixture for alum radiator

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