Hi Jim,
The graphite that I put in my cooling systems (I have it in 3
Humbers,1 Studebaker and 1 Ford) is a thick, black goo with the consistency
of pancake batter. My Stude and the Humbers all have very big cooling
systems and I put in about an egg cup full. The water went completely black
and horrible but after some months it went clear - crystal clear and has
stayed that way ever since.
When I took the radiator off the Studebaker I had to -
of course - drain the cooling system. My stupid cat drank some of the water
and is still OK. Here in Sydney is does not get cold enough for us to
really need antifreeze but corrosion is the big killer. Since putting the graphite
in the systems I have not had to touch a waterpump and, as I said, the water
is always clean.
I can see no reason for not using old cars the way that they were
intended. My Studebaker is frequently loaded up with the 4 kids and we are off to
somewhere. Due to my work commitments I cannot take off for days at a time
and 'go bush' in it but there is no reason why it should not be done. I
keep my cars maintained and reasonably clean but they are workhorses - not
show ponies. Hopefully late this year I will have a 1917 Overland on the
road and it will get the same sort of use.
I hope this helps,
Anthony, Sydney, Australia