Anti-freeze

[Ron Barton]

I have been advised that using anti-freeze in a Bradford engine is not a good idea. A friend tells me that modern ally engines have no problems with anti-freeze, so why not Bradford engines.

[Forumadmin]

This weather I would suggest that not using anti-freeze is likely to be more damaging.

Modern anti-freezes have additives to prevent corrosion, and act as a lubricant and wetting agent even if you do not have a water pump.

Of course, anti-freeze may find leaks because of the wetting properties.

[Keith Andrews]

There isa thread about 1 or 2 yrs ago and several pages long
Detailed info
Bradford Alloy is different to modern alloys....I would still be using Anti freeze even for the anti corrosive properties....
On just has to look inside any old manifolds to see the results of yrs of no anti corrosive additive
Note you must use the correct anti freeze for yourpart of the world
See the old thread

[Tony Fearn]

Hello Ron and welcome to the forum.

I've used modern anti-freeze in my pre-wars for (nearly) ever, and leave it in all year round for the exact purpose that both Keiths have talked about.

Of course it's changed every now and then, and it's topped up with the same strength solution as and when necessary.

I was told years ago that the cast iron cylinder and the aluminium manifold have some sort of electrolytic difference, but that the modern antifreeze solutions overcome this.

This being so, the manifold (which is the part that erodes away internally) lasts much longer.

Seasons greetings,

Tony.

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

I too see no reason for not using antifreeze in a Bradford, though I don't. I make use of those little drain taps on the bottom of the cylinders and don't use it when the weather is below 5C just because my hands get cold!
That said, when I use my Bradford coolant always drops to about half way down the headder tank. I suspect that in the summer months there is a great tendency to top up with just water so diluting the AF until it is almost useless, but retainging the nice warm feeling that it has AF in the coolant.

My suspicion is that AF must be an advantage just for the mixed metal errosion protection that it affords. Keith makes mention of the manifold. but the stuff that collects in the heads also has to be seen to be believed.

[John Wolf]

I have used a corrosion inhibitor (antifreeze) in my Bradord(s) for years mixed at the rate of 30% (1 part if inhibitor to 2 parts water). I carry a 2 litre bottle of inhibitor mixed at the 30% for top up purposes. As Paul has noted there is no point in putting the correct quantity of inhibitor into your cooling system then diluting it with water to the point where it is ineffective. The use of an inhibitor prevents the build up of rust on the cylinder walls and prevents internal corrosion of the water jacket.

If there is a weakness in the cooling system the use of a glycol based product will promote leaks. In Bradfords this usually occurs between the cylinder head and cylinder barrel where the edges of the water jacket have corroded and the cylinder head gasket fails to seal in this area.

I have fixed this problem by using Heldite jointing compound (refer Heldite Limited Hounslow Middlesex) when fitting a new cylinder head gasket. It's the only product that I will use on cylinder head gaskets that have the potential to leak water.

I would never run an engine without an using an inhibitor in the cooling system and have not experianced any problems through the use of inhibitors in my Bradford(s) over the years. Failure to use an inhibitor will allow a build up of gunge and rust to take place in the cooling system which will ultimately lead to a partically blocked radiator when this gunge is carried into the top tank of the radiator and blocks the radiator tubes.

Merry Christmas from down under
John Wolf (JCC NZ)

[Ron Barton]

My thanks to all. I shall now use it.