Water Coolant Additives

Joe Grippo · 06-13-2014, 10:08 AM

I did a search but did not get definitive results. So what is the preferred water coolant additive for an aluminum radiator, electric water pump and iron heads and block. Looking for some rust inhibitor qualities along with some pump lubrication and increased cooling efficiency. I have seen stuff from Driven, Royal Purple, Redline and others, are there any differences or is one better than the others?

Also, any thoughts on the age old debate of distilled water verses regular tap water?

1720 · 06-13-2014, 04:02 PM

Our engine guru has always recommended distilled water with Redline Water additive. Been faithful to that suggestion for years, and no rust evident in our Bracket SBC's.

Brett C · 06-13-2014, 05:47 PM

Royal Purple

Kegracing · 06-15-2014, 03:39 PM

x2 for the distilled water and Redline Water wetter.
Not saying it is any better, but I have had good luck with it. No rust issues, no radiator issues, and no water pump issues.

John Bender · 06-17-2014, 04:27 PM

I have used Red Line water wetter for years and have no radiator (stock one for stock eliminator) problems. I had to use Royal Purple once, the car ran hotter than any time I ran Red Line.

Ed Wright · 06-17-2014, 04:36 PM

If you ask the tech officials, they will likely tell you to run straight water, as this other stuff is harder to clean up off the track if you leak some. That is what they told me.

VanPelt · 06-17-2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

If you ask the tech officials, they will likely tell you to run straight water, as this other stuff is harder to clean up off the track if you leak some. That is what they told me.

I just got emails from both Div 4 NHRA and IHRA regarding Redline Water Wetter stating It's approved in the cooling system.

FireSale · 06-17-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Bender

I have used Red Line water wetter for years and have no radiator (stock one for stock eliminator) problems. I had to use Royal Purple once, the car ran hotter than any time I ran Red Line.

Sounds like a chemical called Photo Flow that I used when I did film photography. Breaks the surface tension and makes the rinse water sheet off the film for spot free drying. I can see that being good in a radiator. It was always all over the lab floor and I don't recall it being a clean up issue.

Dale

06-13-2014, 10:08 AM	#1
Joe Grippo Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Elverson, Pa Posts: 158 Likes: 123 Liked 41 Times in 4 Posts	Water Coolant Additives I did a search but did not get definitive results. So what is the preferred water coolant additive for an aluminum radiator, electric water pump and iron heads and block. Looking for some rust inhibitor qualities along with some pump lubrication and increased cooling efficiency. I have seen stuff from Driven, Royal Purple, Redline and others, are there any differences or is one better than the others? Also, any thoughts on the age old debate of distilled water verses regular tap water? __________________ Time Wasters....http://www.flickr.com/photos/joe_grippo/sets/ http://www.youtube.com/user/JoeGrippo?feature=mhum

06-13-2014, 04:02 PM	#2
1720 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 30 Likes: 198 Liked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Water Coolant Additives Our engine guru has always recommended distilled water with Redline Water additive. Been faithful to that suggestion for years, and no rust evident in our Bracket SBC's. __________________ RT - SS/X circa 1972. Talbot Racing Family

06-13-2014, 05:47 PM	#3
Brett C VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Thibodaux, LA Posts: 1,194 Likes: 322 Liked 1,018 Times in 217 Posts	Re: Water Coolant Additives Royal Purple __________________ Brett Candies 4192 Stock/SS God Bless America

06-15-2014, 03:39 PM	#4
Kegracing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Red Oak, TX Posts: 441 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Water Coolant Additives x2 for the distilled water and Redline Water wetter. Not saying it is any better, but I have had good luck with it. No rust issues, no radiator issues, and no water pump issues.

06-17-2014, 04:27 PM	#5
John Bender Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Linden, New Jersey Posts: 142 Likes: 0 Liked 61 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Water Coolant Additives I have used Red Line water wetter for years and have no radiator (stock one for stock eliminator) problems. I had to use Royal Purple once, the car ran hotter than any time I ran Red Line. __________________ John Bender 1969 STK

06-17-2014, 04:36 PM	#6
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Water Coolant Additives If you ask the tech officials, they will likely tell you to run straight water, as this other stuff is harder to clean up off the track if you leak some. That is what they told me. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA