Help with Heater Core Questions

[pennyh83]

Hey everyone, this is my first post here. I am going to be putting together my first watercooling system in the next week, once I get done with finals. Here are the specs:

D-tek WW w/ aluminum top
1972 Chevy pickup w/ AC heater core
Quiet One 3000 pump
Homemade Res w/ 1/2" barbs
1/2" ClearFlex tubing
Homemade cardboard shroud w/ Evercool fans

Now, everything is modded with 1/2" barbs and ready to be put together (in an external enclosure BTW). But I have two questions on the heater core.

Do I need to flush it out at all before I install it, to see if there is any crap inside? Would I use just regular distilled water if I need to flush it out?

This is just a clarification I need. The Chevy Pickup heater core comes with 3/4" INLET and 5/8" OUTLET, right? Or does it not matter which one is inlet or outlet? I have heard conflicting info from other people on different forums and I wanted to make sure.

Oh, one other thing. I will be using Zerex Super Racing Coolant in a 1:20 ratio with distilled water. Does that sound right? Will that prevent algae as well or will I need something else? If so, what will I need?

Thanks guys for any answers you can give. I appreciate it.

 

[johan851]

You really could use anything to flush it out, although I would recommend rinsing it with distilled water when you're done. If you got it from a junkyard, I might try some CLR or some vinegar or something to get rid of possible corrosion inside.

I don't think it really matters which is the inlet and which is the outlet...the water's going to pass through both barbs anyway. It'd be interesting to hear some other opinions on this though.

You might want to use the Zerex in a 1:10 ratio, 1:20 (5%) seems a little low. I can't think of much that will live in ethylene glycol.

 

[Wicked Klown]

Welcome to the Forums



Yea rinse it then run some distilled water though it afterwards. Also it really doesn't matter which in the inlet or outlet. ON my HC I have used both and no temp diff between the two. Also since you have an AL block I would say use a 25% Dex-Cool and 75%water. However if you get the pre mixed then just run that.

 

[pennyh83]

Thanks for the fast responses guys.

The heater core was ordered from Autozone.com. I will take your advice and run some distilled water through it.

As for the additives, I already have the Zerex so I am going to stick with that. I was just wondering if it would kill the algae or if I need something else too. I will look into that 1:10 ratio as well.

Thanks again guys.

 

[Wicked Klown]

Just remember the 1:10 ratio might not be enough cause aluminum and copper don't like playing with each. After all it's better to deal with it now then have a hole eaten through your block later on.

 

[johan851]

I believe it has an anodized aluminum top, and it's not completely an aluminum block. I haven't had any problems with my aluminum topped [email protected] I would still think 1:10 is ok.

 

[Wicked Klown]

Even with anodized it can happen. One guy here ended up with a hole in his Swiftech and as we know more care is taken in making a swifty then a D-Tek.