Cooling system filter

[Wolfman3002]

I was taking a test drive around the block in my GT, when about halfway around the block, I noticed my temp gauge was pegged, and I mean pegged, all the way to the stop. I limped home, hoping that my head wasn't warped from overheating (it's a '73). Luckily, I don't think it was. Turns out, my radiator was so clogged, that when I took off the cap, then the bottom radiator hose, the fluid ran out from the bottom tank, but didn't move from the top tank. Well, $108.00 later, I have a freshly rodded radiator, which I was surprised to find out, has a 3-row core (bought off of e-bay). While I was getting it rodded, I decided to add a fitting for the Permacool fan thermostat, which worked out great (I had been plumbed into the heater hose). So, w/ all the effort into fixing it, I thought, I don't want it getting clogged up again w/ scale from the motor. So, what could I do? I found a reference to a Gano filter, but didn't want to cut into my stock radiator line. So, I got some stainless steel mesh from McMaster-Carr and fashioned a closed-ended cylinder that slides into the upper tank opening (see pics below). It butts against the front of the tank, and so far, hasn't come out of position. The small tab on the end is so I can grab it and pull it out easier. I looked at it after warming up the car fully once (about 10-15 min), and got a little bit of scale out. It seemed to stay in position well, so I replaced it, and and a couple days of driving, removed it, and look what I got out of it! I plan on leaving it in there for right now, checking it every few days, to make sure it doesn't get too clogged.
Have any of you put in a coolant filter? What do you think about them?
Randy

[Ooooner]

I just put in a new radiator and I added a quart of anti-corrosion/rust fluid to the antifreeze. You can buy it just about anywhere. It has always worked for me. On top of that, I make sure the radiator is flushed at least once year. A lot of people forget that the cooling system is a very important part of the overall engine and it needs servicing, too.
Seems to me that the "filter" you are using would do more harm than good with the flow of the anti-freeze through the system. If it gets clogged, then you are screwed. At least if there is "stuff" floating around in your system, it would at least be flowing and not stop up the system at the filter.

[Wolfman3002]

Roy,
My plan is to keep the filter in there for a couple of weeks, until I don't see much in the way of scale trapped in it, then remove it probably. Believe me, I have been watching the temp gauge like a hawk since my overheat. So far, there has been no problems w/ overheating. It stays right near the middle temp gauge line all the time, and it's been over 90 the last couple of days.
I've had this car for a little over a year now, and have flushed it a couple of times, using prestone radiator flush. This car had been sitting for a couple of years before I got it, w/ no radiator on it. So, it had lots of scale built up in the engine block. I just want to get the majority of it swept out of the system. Thanks for you thoughts.
Randy

[ddoyle]

FasterJags: Tefba Coolant System Filters

There are others out on the market also. I have seen a clear plastic one that is similar to this one. And the HD(truck fleet) market has housings that take spin on filters, normally with about heater hose size fittings. Yours is simple and looks effective though!

Dan

[Ooooner]

Randy,
I had thought that you were going to leave the filter there all the time. Heck, in your case, I can see what you are trying to accomplish! Good idea. Just keep an eye out on the gauge.

[jeff denton]

Said filter is standard equipment on big trucks and heavy equipment. I see no reason why it shouldn't be on cars, too. It wouldn't need to be a big one. The standard filter base like what I use on all my equipment for fuel filters would work fine, surely there is a spin on coolant filter that would fit that base. The base is available at Napa, I find them easiest in the Sierra Marine catalog.

[Wolfman3002]

Roy,
If I get comfortable that the filter won't get clogged, and if I want to keep the habit of checking the filter every few days or every week, I may leave it in there long term.
Randy

[George]

many years ago a friend of mine bought a 64 mustang that had been sitting for about 10 years.It ran well but would overheat even after the radiator had been cleaned.About every two days he had to remove the radiator hoses and flush it out with the water hose.One day I was at the garage wile he was flushing the radiator an noticed most of what was coming out was rust.I looked around in all the junk that seems to collect and found a speaker with a small enough magnet that would fit inside the radiator.Took the magnet off and ground a small grove all the way around so I could twist a small piece of wire around put it in the radiator and put the cap on to hold the wire in place.He would remove the magnet every day and clean the rust off and replace.Never ran hot again and after a few week there was no more rust being picked up by the magnet.

[Wolfman3002]

George,
That's a really smart idea. Like the magnet in the bottom of the tranny. I may just have to add a magnet to the bottom of my filter screen, and see what it catches. Thanks for the good idea. I think I'll use one of those round clip magnets w/ the hole in them. Then I can wire it into the filter, so I don't have to worry about it maybe washing into the tank.
Randy

[jeff denton]

But you want the filter to get clogged. They work like a Luberfiner oil filter. That is, they don't filter every drop of the liquid each pass through the system, like the regular oil filter, or a fuel filter. They only filter a tiny trickle out of the overall flow. When the filter clogs up, it has removed all that crap from the system, but is being bypassed by most of the flow anyway.

[booeman]

here's a trick I heard about from an independent trucker years ago, he was part of the double clutching armstrong era. drain the cooling system, remove the thermostat, put as much of 1 gallon of vinager in the radiator as you can and bring the motor up to operating temperature for 5 or 10 minutes. leave the cap loose so you don't pressurize the system. I'll leave the bottom hose clamp loose also so I can get it off quick once I shut off the car. repeat the process with fresh water and always add more antifreeze when you tighten it back up. I've done this to every car I've owned for the last 25+ years and never had a corrosion problem, it's just like cleaning the coffee pot.

[jeff denton]

That I totally believe. But there are products available to clean and then protect your cooling system. You never hear of this done to cars, but hang around a truck shop and watch how the cooling system is serviced religiously every 500 hours. It is very important. The coolant is checked for not only the freeze point, but for acidity. And it is chemically adjusted to then pass the test. That is how a big diesel engine can live for millions of miles with numerous overhauls, but intact and reusable blocks and heads. What most noticeably eats cast iron is cavitation!