Motorcraft Engine Coolant
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: General Automotive Technical Discussion
Forum Description: Technical Automotive discussion of anything not specific to mid-size Ford/Merc
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=21356
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 10:33AM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Motorcraft Engine Coolant
Posted By: spriegel
Subject: Motorcraft Engine Coolant
Date Posted: 19-July-2024 at 7:54AM
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Hi Everyone, Does anyone have the Motorcraft part number for Engine Coolant for our Torino's? I'd like to do a flush, and wanted to replace w/ Motorcraft fluid. My 1973 Ford Gran Torino owners manual lists: Ford Part Number: 8A-19549-A, B Ford Specification: ESE-M97B18-C I stopped by the Ford parts store and their database only goes back to 1980 and they had several different types of coolant (specs, colors, etc). Thanks, Chris ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Replies:
Posted By: Inkara1
Date Posted: 19-July-2024 at 10:49AM
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If you can't find a Motorcraft coolant, I've been getting my coolant at O'Reilly. They sell a house brand traditional green coolant in 50/50 mix. It's not the "compatible with everything" stuff like is all I can find at Walmart or AutoZone. ------------- 1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason. |
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 19-July-2024 at 2:59PM
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Walmart has the best priced anti-freeze, it's about $12 for a concentrated full gallon, Prestone. That will work in almost everything, and the old Fords I recall took about two gallons, half of a four gallon capacity. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 20-July-2024 at 1:38PM
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Thank you everyone for the help. ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 21-July-2024 at 1:27PM
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Chris, I don't know the Ford part number for the green coolant, and I am not sure if Ford even carries it anymore. However, as others have said, just got to a parts store and get the traditional green coolant. Like Inkara says, not the "any make and model" stuff, this is the non-long life green stuff. I typically by the non-premixed stuff and jugs of de-ionized water, and pour in at a 50:50 ratio. Once you pour half a jug of each, mix the two together in a jug and then you have 50:50 for top ups. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 21-July-2024 at 1:52PM
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Thanks Vince, and all - I was reading up on the different types of coolant and the Ford parts store said the different colors have different properties. They do have two versions of the Ford Motorcraft Green and said they would call me back this week with details - I'll share what I find out. I did find this Ford chart on their Ford Parts page but it only went back a couple of decades, but it highlights the Green > Yellow > Orange history over the years: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/uploads/6617/Antifreeze_Coolant_Usage_Chart_2024-07-22_01-46-58.pdf" rel="nofollow - uploads/6617/Antifreeze_Coolant_Usage_Chart_2024-07-22_01-46-58.pdf My '73 manual said not to use ethanol or methanol antifreeze or to mix it. It's good to know the traditional green coolant is the way to go and the available stores with different brands, thanks everyone. Thanks, Chris ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 21-July-2024 at 2:53PM
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Chris, from that chart, you want the Green Coolant, used on the 2001 and older cars. I worked at GM when Dexcool came out and I remember how much of a pain it was to have this "new and better" coolant. You had to make sure you didn't mix the two and use the correct stuff depending on the model and year. Prior to that, every car, at least American cars, used the same green coolant. As you change the green stuff regularly, it works great IMO. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 13-August-2024 at 11:43AM
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As follow-up to this post, my Ford Parts dealer found the green coolant. Motorcraft Premium Pre-diluted Antifreeze/Coolant Part Number: VC5DIL They said they can order it anytime I needed it.  ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 13-September-2024 at 10:30AM
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I hate the over-priced pre-diluted antifreeze, but I get it. getting another empty jug and cutting a gallon of concentrate is too much for the non-car folk in the modern era and they make it easy. I get traditional green at Menards brand unreduced or Walmart. Hold-out for Prestone. Menards is great, decent price and 11% rebate. Then buy a gallon of distilled water and good to go. I made the mistake on my GTS for years using tap water...and then not flushing my coolant system for 5-6 years. My coolant was a nasty rusty mess. One of the reasons I am probably now having to do a heater core this weekend! -------------  Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 13-September-2024 at 2:04PM
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I like Prestone from Walmart, it was about $11 last time I got a couple. I keep 2-3 gallons of distilled water all the time, all grocery stores carry it. I have high end Amsoil coolant and a few BMW gallons to use for better engines. Those brands are over $20 a gallon too, and they are not diluted yet. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 13-September-2024 at 3:12PM
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*Sigh* I remember when I would buy gallons of undiluted green antifreeze for $4/gallon at Advanced Auto Parts years ago. ------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 14-September-2024 at 3:33PM
Yep, that was a change from an explosion of some big plant pushing up the demand, the price. Then it never dropped back. Now it's inflation, the new new normal everywhere. Sigh ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000 rpm 351 stroker 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: spriegel
Date Posted: 15-September-2024 at 12:16PM
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The Ford parts department said they also carry the concentrated Motorcraft coolant, part number is just P/N VC-5 (Ford Motorcraft Premium Concentrated Anti-freeze/Coolant). ------------- Chris Fairview, PA '1973 Ford Gran Torino |