How Engine Cooling Works...

If you grew up in the 1930's and 1940's you are no doubt aware of the Jam Handy films which covered most every subject you could imagine. Lucky for us General Motors was a regular customer and ordered films covering everything automotive, from assembly line production to driving safety. Jam Handy also got into the technical side of things with General Motors, and the film I have included here explains how engine cooling works. This was filmed in 1936.

Keep in mind that when these vehicles were new, there was no such thing as permanent antifreeze and most of the antifreeze sold in those days was alcohol based, which meant that if you did not drain it out in the spring and replace it with water, it would simple evaporate away. Also keep in mind that the cooling systems in the early days was designed for the water and alcohol base coolant and as a result the tubes inside the radiator are smaller in diameter than they were when permanent antifreeze became common in the later years.

Distilled water works best (water with the minerals removed) because it will reduce the build up of corrosion and hard water deposits inside of the cooling system. In an older antique vehicle plain distilled water will run about twenty degrees cooler than a mixture of 50/50 modern antifreeze and water mix. Meanwhile...sit back and enjoy the show!