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Old 08-07-2019, 10:48 AM   #1
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Antifreeze Mix Ratio for Ford Lehman 120

Hello All,

I'm new to this forum and not exactly sure how it works so here it goes...

I have a Grand Banks 42 with twin Ford Lehman 120's. I am servicing the coolant system and know I'm supposed to use Ethylene Glycol but can't find any real info on if I should, should not or doesn't really matter to mix the coolant with distilled water. Can someone help me answer that question?
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Old 08-07-2019, 11:02 AM   #2
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Every engine I have known used a 50/50 mix of antifreeze. That ratio gives you the highest boiling point.

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Old 08-07-2019, 11:06 AM   #3
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Thank You David
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Old 08-07-2019, 11:14 AM   #4
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And you don't really need distilled water when you are pouring it into an old cast iron block. Clean tap/drinking water is ok.
Save the distilled for batteries.
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Old 08-07-2019, 11:42 AM   #5
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If not subjected to really harsh freezing temps, I fill engines with about 33% glycol. I do use distilled water as it is a buck a gallon at the grocery and dockside water in my area can be really skunk well water, or from a water softener that releases a trace of salt.

Can't go wrong at 50/50 though.
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Old 08-07-2019, 01:40 PM   #6
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"I fill engines with about 33% glycol."

In non heavy freezing areas this is a great idea.

1/3 antifreeze gives the required freezing / corrosion protection and water pump lubrication , and since antifreeze is only 3/5 as good a heat conductor as plain water gives better overheat protection than 50/50.


On a new engine with a 15psi pressure cap 50/50 will give a higher boiling point , but on an antique with a 2 or 3 psi cap 1/3 antifreeze ,+ distilled water and getting ALL the air out of the system is better.
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Old 08-07-2019, 02:28 PM   #7
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I go 50/50 with distilled water.
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Old 08-07-2019, 02:40 PM   #8
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I do use distilled water as it is a buck a gallon at the grocery and dockside water in my area can be really skunk well water, or from a water softener that releases a trace of salt.
Strongly agree w/this. For a $1/gallon, there's no reason not to do so.

Unless you are REALLY sure what's in your tap water, this is cheap insurance.
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Old 08-07-2019, 03:39 PM   #9
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Prestone 50/50 premix. $8.88/gal at Walmart.
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Old 08-07-2019, 04:17 PM   #10
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Prestone 50/50 premix. $8.88/gal at Walmart.
I would definitely not use that in an older engine. Reputable sources say the Prestone AMAM has 2-eha in it, which slows eats some types of gaskets. I am told that is a Dexcool clone.
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Old 08-07-2019, 05:04 PM   #11
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I would definitely not use that in an older engine. Reputable sources say the Prestone AMAM has 2-eha in it, which slows eats some types of gaskets. I am told that is a Dexcool clone.
Old rumors perpetuated by the internet. It was claimed many years ago that 2-EHA attacked plastic contained in intake manifold gaskets. Prestone MSDS states it has a small percentage of 2-EHA. All the gaskets in my 35 year old Lehman engines are just fine.

Prestone is dyed green. Dex-cool is dyed red. They are both based upon Ethylene Glycol so yes, they're basically clones.
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Old 08-07-2019, 05:13 PM   #12
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American Diesel said cheapo green glycol from anywhere is just fine.


My 120 Lehman seems to be fine with it.
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Old 08-07-2019, 05:27 PM   #13
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Old rumors perpetuated by the internet. It was claimed many years ago that 2-EHA attacked plastic contained in intake manifold gaskets. Prestone MSDS states it has a small percentage of 2-EHA. All the gaskets in my 35 year old Lehman engines are just fine.
What? a Myth - it certainly isn't. GM and Ford would wish it was, as then they wouldn't have had to honor warranties and received such a black eye for the damaged gaskets. This isn't some "internet myth." it certainly didn't impact all engines, but it does exist.

The 2-eha acts as a "plasticizer" on some gasket material (it does not attack plastic). Engineers discovered this in the late 90s and modern gaskets and engines SHOULD be safe. Not all gasket material is affected and the head gaskets in a Ford Lehman may certainly be safe. But are allgaskets in all old engines, and heat exchangers safe? Maybe some heat exchanger gaskets are safe, maybe some replacements are not. No one can say for sure. IMO it's not worth saving a few dollars using a dex-clone in an older engine not "Death-cool" proofed.

It's worth knowing the risk. People can choose to take it, but it's not worth ignoring.


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American Diesel said cheapo green glycol from anywhere is just fine.


My 120 Lehman seems to be fine with it.

Yep, that would be my choice. No risk. Not as cheap or easy to find as dex-cool/AMAM type coolant these days, but not hard.
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Old 08-07-2019, 05:32 PM   #14
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I use the premix 50/50 or concentrate Prestone from Walmart.


Not sure what the AMAM designation is...but when I Google it, it comes up with the cheapo green stuff...not the Prestone DexCool pre mix which is in a grey container, not yellow.
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Old 08-07-2019, 05:46 PM   #15
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What? a Myth - it certainly isn't. GM and Ford would wish it was, as then they wouldn't have had to honor warranties and received such a black eye for the damaged gaskets. This isn't some "internet myth." it certainly didn't impact all engines, but it does exist.
It is an internet myth, perpetuated by a couple of well known internet writers 20 years ago. The so-called 2-EHA 'plasticizer' gasket problem has never been documented by any scientist in any peer reviewed chemical or metallurgical journal. Nor has any auto manufacturer ever published anything about 'plasticizer' gasket problems. They do specify recommended anti-freeze types, engine oil types, brake fluids, etc.

Please provide links to accurate information from engineering journals and not links to self annointed flat earth experts like joe the oil guy.
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Old 08-14-2019, 09:20 AM   #16
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Thank you all for your help here and sorry for the much delayed response. Being new to this it took me awhile to figure out how to get back to the thread.
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Old 08-14-2019, 10:01 AM   #17
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50/50 is the recommended. But unless you drain it bone dry and start over?
50/50 mix on the hydrometer should show as -34 & 285

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Old 08-14-2019, 10:23 AM   #18
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Greetings,
Mr. GB42. Welcome aboard. I'm pretty sure whatever anti-freeze you use HAS to be specifically for diesel engines.
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Old 08-14-2019, 07:46 PM   #19
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Why? The coolant is in a closed system. Type of engine doesn't matter.
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Greetings,
Mr. GB42. Welcome aboard. I'm pretty sure whatever anti-freeze you use HAS to be specifically for diesel engines.
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Old 08-14-2019, 08:06 PM   #20
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I use the green stuff about 33%. The other colors are for cooling systems where aluminum comes in contact w the AF coolant.
No need for even that much cold protection.

As to 50/50 how on earth is your boat engine going to get down to -34f ? Mine never getts to freezing so water would be just fine.
But want a higher boiling point so I use 33% AF mostly for that. My cooling system runs at 200 maybe 205 degrees.
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