[duba]

Newbie here-----Could I please get some advice on installing a "screen" in a radiator hose to keep the stuff out of the radiator in a '67 mustang 289.

1. How often would your clear this so called screen.
2. What size screen.
3. I have heard that this can restrict the flow!?

Any advice out there?

Thanks in advance.

[Chuck M]

111111111111111111 Whoops

[Chuck M]

Hi. I've got 30 years of professional automotive repair background and I have never heard of putting a screen in the cooling system to catch "stuff". Not to say that it could not be done, but there shouldn't be any great amount of "stuff" floating around in the system. The best bet would be to flush the system to eliminate any rust and debris. You should be able to find a flush kit at the local parts store. Avoid flushing an old heater core because, many times, this will push it over the edge. If you decide to try the screen program, use a screen with slightly smaller holes than the cores in the radiator. Take off the radiator cap (when the engine is cold!) and look down inside. You will see the cooling passages. The screen needs to be a little smaller than these so that anything that makes it through the screen will make it through the passages. After installing the screen, fill the coolant and drive the vehicle paying close attention to the temp gauge. This will tell you if the screen is causing an obstruction. If it is going to overheat, it will do it relatively slowly so stay close to home. The temp gauge will also tell you when the screen needs cleaned. The running temp will gradually rise as the screen becomes blocked. If your car is not equipped with a gauge, don't try this until you have one. Good luck!

[67ragtopStang]

I've never heard of or seen a screen in the cooling system and I wouldn't put a screen in at all. I'd do as Chuck recommends and give it a good flush. You can disconnect the heater core hoses and flush it independently of the engine block. I'd do this first and then flush the block.

Even though it's a screen, it will still resist flow and you definitely don't want that!

[andrewmp6]

They do sell a filter for the coolant system most say it works.But a good flushing is always worth doing.

[Jonk67]

This is probably what you've heard of:
Tefba Filter Installation
I've seen another that installs at the upper rad. neck and looks like a jar with a screen in it but can't remeber the manufacturer. Users with new motors showed debris even from running a new rebuilt engine.
Jon

[The Greek]

I made my own screen using one of those kitchen sink drain screens that you can find at Home Depot or Lowe's. I installed it in place of the thermostat. The drain screen's outer diameter was the same size as the thermostat and was kept in place when the therm. housing was bolted down. I couldn't see paying $40 to $60 for a dedicated screen.

This was only a temporary installation and I removed it after about 500 miles. The engine had about 10,000 miles on it and was on an engine stand for a while. Since the cooling passages were exposed to the open air, if figured that some loose scale had formed. The screen picked up about 1/2 of a shot glass full of scale. (The only reference that came to mind.) I've had the engine since new and always taken care of the cooling system and always used distilled bottled water, never tap water. Scale still forms, obviously.

[duba]

Thanks all for the advice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ivy66GT]

The standard filter which is commonly used on old cars that I am familiar with is the Gano filter: Gano Auto Coolant Filter Company The nice part is that it can have a clear body which allows you to see what you have trapped. That you way you can judge when to clean it.

I have made a similar filter from a $2 kitchen strainer from Target which are even shaped like the Gano. If you have a clean system there is no need for one. They will restrict flow a bit but I doubt by enough to make much difference UNLESS the screen is filled with crud. Of course, if there is that much crud in the system then it will block the radiator core and cause almost as much problem there.