Rust in cooling system 304 V8

[HoldenHoon]

Hey everyone, I’ve sent out my radiator to get reconditioned as it had very rusty tap water in it from the previous owner. My local radiator repair shop sent me an image of the tank and told me that he’s never seen a 304 have this much rust and debris inside it. Is this concerning at all? I know that these blocks are cast iron but this is pretty bad.

 

[Immortality]

Nice.

I'd get one of these,

Tefba Radiator Filter (1 1/2 inch only)

<p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: xx-large; color: #888888;"><strong>Tefba Radiator Filter</strong></span></p> <p><br /><span style="color: #888888; font-size: large;">Available to suit Top Radiator Hoses 1 ¼ (32mm) & 1 &f

allmusclecarparts.com.au

And then run some cooling system flush/cleaner/descaler. The filter will stop more **** going into the radiator but you'll need to clean it regularly.

 

[HoldenHoon]

Nice.

I'd get one of these,

http://[URL]https://allmusclecarparts.com.au/tefba-radiator-filter.html

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And then run some cooling system flush/cleaner/descaler. The filter will stop more **** going into the radiator but you'll need to clean it regularly.

Thanks mate I’ll definitely look into this. I ended up getting another radiator that’s brass because the radiator specialist told me that it’ll take too long to clean out. Is that much rust normal for a 304? Thanks again.

 

[Immortality]

Not sure TBH.

 

[NORTI]

I had mine rebuilt as I wanted to keep the filler neck original. Ended up costing me a few dollars more than the replacement unit would have. Did a big flush on the whole system, and replaced water pump, heater tap and replaced pretty much every hose in the end. Make sure when you flush it that you also flush through the heater core.

make sure you use green coolant, and have a decent earth. I had electrolysis and that's what killed my radiator, red coolant didn't help the cooling situation either. So don't make that mistake. green only for the old 5L.

 

[HoldenHoon]

I had mine rebuilt as I wanted to keep the filler neck original. Ended up costing me a few dollars more than the replacement unit would have. Did a big flush on the whole system, and replaced water pump, heater tap and replaced pretty much every hose in the end. Make sure when you flush it that you also flush through the heater core.

make sure you use green coolant, and have a decent earth. I had electrolysis and that's what killed my radiator, red coolant didn't help the cooling situation either. So don't make that mistake. green only for the old 5L.

Yep I’m running green coolant in it now. Penrite premix. I replaced all the hoses including heater tap. It took about 35 flushes no joke before it came out clear. Runs very cool now. I’m just wondering how much metal I’ve got left in the motor since I’ve got half a cake worth of metal from the old radiator.

 

[NORTI]

Yep I’m running green coolant in it now. Penrite premix. I replaced all the hoses including heater tap. It took about 35 flushes no joke before it came out clear. Runs very cool now. I’m just wondering how much metal I’ve got left in the motor since I’ve got half a cake worth of metal from the old radiator.

amazing the difference in temp when you get it clear of that muck.

 

[J_D 2.0]

Yep I’m running green coolant in it now. Penrite premix. I replaced all the hoses including heater tap. It took about 35 flushes no joke before it came out clear. Runs very cool now. I’m just wondering how much metal I’ve got left in the motor since I’ve got half a cake worth of metal from the old radiator.

Replace your water pump too. The water pump shaft seals are meant to be somewhat lubricated by the ethylene glycol in the coolant. If it’s been running on tap water then it’s on borrowed time.

 

[Immortality]

I'd wait with replacing the pump. Try and clean it out good and proper first. When you aren't getting any more debris in the filter then consider changing the pump or just leave it. If the bearings feel good and it's not leaking then maybe the seal has survived.

 

[losh1971]

Agree with this ^^^^^^^, plus the new pumps are all Chinese so might not last long regardless.