[Healeys] Fw: Evans coolant (was best freeze plug material)

[Earl Kagna]

Sorry Kees - forgot to copy the list - sending it again - Earl

-----Original Message----- 
From: Earl Kagna
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 3:38 PM
To: Oudesluys
Subject: Evans coolant (was best freeze plug material)

Kees:

I'm posting this with regard to your comments on Evans coolant - it may be
of benefit to other listers.

I installed Evans coolant in my BJ8 last spring - I decided to do this as it
was a fresh rebuild and the cooling system was completely dry - the Evans
instructions require that there be no water left in the cooling system when
the new coolant is installed, so it seemed an opportune time to try it.

Naturally, the brand new kevlar lower rad hose gave out within the first few
hundred miles - I was close to home and so only lost approx half of the
coolant.  The local Evans rep took pity on me and supplied the amount of
lost coolant at no charge, otherwise I might have terminated the experiment
right then and there because of the high cost.

I use a 195 degree thermostat (approx 90 C) anyway in that engine - the
radiator had been re-cored previously with an extra row of cooling tubes,
so the car has tended to run a bit on the cold side.  This thermostat is a
sleeved unit - not the original Smiths type, but similar to the sleeved 160
degree unit supplied by BCS in California - we had to make them ourselves in
order to use 180 and 195 degree thermostats.  The early part of the testing
season was blurred with a couple of faulty temp gauges - that finally got
resolved in the fall, just before the car was put to sleep for the winter.

As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out as to whether it was a good
move to go to Evans coolant.  Next driving season may well answer the
question.

Anybody else on the list switched to Evans coolant?  I for one would like to
hear your comments.

Earl Kagna
Victoria, B.C.
BJ8, BT7 tri-carb

-----Original Message----- 
From: Oudesluys
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 1:19 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] best freeze plug material

Do not use brass freeze plugs (do they exist at all??) because of
electrolytic corrosion (iron/brass). Use steel ones as original. These
will also have a tighter fit as steel is stronger and will clamp better
when tapped home. If the hole is not corroded you may not need sealant,
although it will not hurt to apply a thin smear. Any automotive good
quality, non-silicon sealant will do. Make sure the rust and dirt is
thoroughly removed from the holes before fitting the plugs.
Engine coolant should be replaced periodically to prevent deterioration
and subsequent loss of anti freeze and anti corrosion properties. Never
use pure water but proper coolant (green, NOT purple/red) or a minimum
of 50% anti-freeze/50% distilled water. You can use expensive Evans
waterless coolant but you would need to change the thermostat for one
with a high opening temperature (e.g. 860C) to get sufficient cooling
and an even coolant temperature. In my opinion it is a waste of money.

In all my life I have never seen freeze plugs failing/rusting after only
7 years, even on 60+ year running engines I have never even seen a
rusted out/failed freeze plug for that matter.
You only see that on a scrap yard or with engines that are filled up
with water instead of proper coolant.

Kees Oudesluijs
NL