CLASS RACER FORUM - Cleaning Radiator/?s

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireSale (Post 490678)

Anode is an electrical term so I looked it up to see how it related to a radiator. Seems companies like Flex a Lite make these little zinc inserts that go in the radiator drain hole. The junk in the water will eat the zinc rather than the iron or aluminum in the system. Seems to be an old heavy equipment trick. Cheap.

Sample Link: http://www.rotometals.com/product-p/...lite-anode.htm

Same thing at Summit: http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...&keyword=anode

Also try Radiator Anode on Amazon.

Dale

Hi,

When I worked at the shipyards they always welded "zincs" on the hull of ships to prevent electrolysis due to the dissimilar metals of the steel hull, brass valves and bronze screws..........

They used "zincs" as the sacrificial metal to protect the others....

Zinc is a more active metal so that it would be sacrificed and not the ship.....

If you put zinc in an engine with an aluminum intake and radiator they will be sacrificed to protect the zinc.....

A more active metal must be used for protection.....

Aluminum intakes and radiators need a magnesium anode in the coolant (water) for protection.....

Bob