Installing new radiator

[bill goodheart]

I am getting ready to install my new Berg's low type radiator, I bought it the spring of 2021, so I've had it over a year. Before installing should it be flushed ? If so is plain water OK or should I use something like CLR ?
I have already flushed the block using the Steve Jelf method. I did not remove the cylinder head.
I will use a 50% water/antifreeze coolant. Should the older type antifreeze (Green) be used ? I intend to use distilled water.

Bill Goodheart

[JTT3]

Bill use distilled water.

[George House]

I’d eyeball the 4 openings for critters but you won’t hurt it if flushed with a garden hose. Yes on the green antifreeze and distilled water....

[Norman Kling]

I would flush the block again with garden hose. Then after you install the radiator and the hoses, fill with the hose and check for any leaks first. Let it set long enough to be sure there is no seeping around the head, hose connections and the freeze plugs. Look also at the back edge of the engine behind the manifold. Sometimes a leak there is hard to spot. After you are sure there are no leaks, drain completely and refill with your anti-freeze solution. If you have soft water in your area, you can use tap water, but if hard water be sure to use distilled water in the mixture, or you can buy the anti-freeze in 50-50 mix and use it straight. Fill to at least half way up top tank when cold. If there is a baffle in the center of the top tank, be sure the fluid is above it and you are not just looking down on a wet baffle.
Norm

[Moxie26]

Install and flush system anyway you want, but in my opinion running with straight water will only promote rust in the block and cylinder head. 50/50 antifreeze mix sounds good.

[Professor Fate]

Suggestion.....
If you run it with water or 50/50 and you mix your own, use "distilled" water. Tap water will deposit minerals in your radiator and eventually block tubes, causing poor cooling.

[Kerry]

Ask your self if your weather conditions require antifreeze or just a corrosion inhibitor. The Ethylene Glycol in antifreeze will shorten the life of your radiator, it slowly dissolves solder. My farther loved the stuff, made him a very wealthy man in replacing radiators.

[Scott_Conger]

Kerry

that is an interesting thing you relate and I believe your dad's experience. That said, I had to look up WHY that was particularly when my '19 has an original round tube radiator (not a recore) and runs the car cool as a cucumber with no detectable repairs or leaks. Apparently it isn't JUST Ethylene Glycol but the resultant loss of corrosion inhibitors with old and deteriorated coolant (not fresh coolant). I learned something today and now know why coolant companies urge consumers to change it out on a prescribed regular basis. I knew it went bad but did not realize it would cause deterioration. This is an old original engine complete with cast iron pistons and a camshaft that has just the merest suggestion of lobes left. It is a gutless, sweet running car that I suspect did not have pure water in it for very much of it's life as there is little detectable erosion in the head or block and the radiator innards are very clean.

Thank you for that bit of family lore...

[Steve Jelf]

In one of the FB Model T groups one fellow said he buys the ready-mix 50/50 antifreeze because he was afraid of making a mistake trying to mix it himself.

Yes, flush it. Mud daubers and other bugs think radiators make nifty nesting places.

[bill goodheart]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies. I will flush it with garden hose only. Yes, in Northern NY you will need freeze protection.
I really don't understand how anyone could a mistake on a 50-50 mixture.