They checked my antifreeze and it was only good for -20
Running 100% isnt good. 100% will freeze at around 0° farenheit 50/50 around -35 70/30 around -80 . Also will overheat with just antifreeze .My loader was 100% antifreeze when it got here from Montana, my mechanic friend checked it.
Running 100% isnt good. 100% will freeze at around 0° farenheit 50/50 around -35 70/30 around -80 . Also will overheat with just antifreeze .
When we raced we would use Water wetter. Would stop the block from rusting as antifreeze wasnt allowed on the track . Never use tap water eitherStraight antifreeze reminds me of running straight water in the cooling system. When I joined my father-in-law in farming and cattle (1980) we ran two combines during annual June wheat harvest. His idea to save money was to run straight water in the combines for the several weeks they worked, then just drain the water till the following year.
After a couple of years I learned the weakness in that plan. The little bit of moisture remaining in the system, augmented by condensation, would create rust inside the cast iron water jacket, months of rust buildup. We would run hard for a day or two at the start of each harvest, and then the engine would overheat due to the radiator being choked with rust that had worked loose. I'd have to remove the radiator, have it boiled out in town, etc. Had water pump issues too. (Anti freeze fluid includes pump lubricant.)
More than once my father-in-law saw the temp. gauge in the red zone, but figured "Aw hell, I can keep running to the end of the field and back--it'll be okay." And in doing so he blew the head gasket. I got good at replacing head gaskets. These were 1957 & 1959 Massey Harris combines with Chrysler straight six flathead engines.
Eventually I ditched the antiques and bought a used Gleaner G diesel combine. And I kept properly mixed coolant in the system year-round.
We had Massey Harris 90 & 92 models, and they were good machines. But years of use and poor maintenance made them problematic by the time I wrenched on them.I remember a Massey Super 27 combine my father had. I think it had been replaced probably before 1970. We thought it was antique then.
It’s amazing how many times you find people doing things wrong for a lifetime!We had Massey Harris 90 & 92 models, and they were good machines. But years of use and poor maintenance made them problematic by the time I wrenched on them.
The hydraulic pump was underneath the header, and so George, my father-in-law, would raise the header, check the oil level in the pump and add oil because it was always low. Only after I'd been in business with him for several years did I find out he had owners manual and parts books for the machines--he was virtually illiterate--and the manual cautioned to check the hydraulic oil level ALWAYS WITH THE HEADER DOWN, as the raised hyd. cylinder held a lot of oil. No wonder the pump seals were always blown.