Re: Water distribution Tube - 1948 - 356

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2023/12/19 13:14:26

I think as you planned, flushing it more thoroughly, drain well, and new coolant it should be OK til you get it rebuilt. I got all kinds of crud out of the '49 and it ran just fine(cool) when I had it running.
When there's dissimilar metals in a system they are subject to more corrosion. Brass is more "noble" so lasts better in aqueous systems. Cast is better than mild sheet steel.
A periodic extra dose of coolant inhibitor is usually called for with mixed systems but Prestone claims/warrants it's not necessary with their silicate based inhibitors...
Frequent flushing and changing is the best maintenance protocol, usually every ~4 years or so, about 50K miles.
These old systems have more lead based solder in them and heavier gauge brass. The solder is the weak link usually, tends to pinhole/ pitting corrosion.