7020, adding collant filter?

 I hadn't realized until now that my 7020 does not have a coolant filter. So I got got a filter base from a salvage yard and looking to find the best place to mount and how to plumb. There is a plug in the casting not far from the inlet of the water pump that I can use for the return, I guess that is the best place, don't see any other good options. For the inlet, I have access plugs in the thermostat housing either before or after the thermostat, which would be better? Or there is a petcock on top of the oil cooler inlet that I could tee into, this is only 1/4 pipe so not as much flow. Plan to mount it on the lower left front on engine. 

I could get you some pics of my 7020 it has a filter. I not sure how to post pics on here ,I could text them to you.

If you do go ahead and install the coolant filter I would think getting the water source After the thermostat. Picking it up before the thermostat could lead to overheating problems if water was circulating through the filter and not the radiator after the thermostat opened.

I first got involved in this coolant deficiency problem in 1977 or 78. I discovered the cure with a product called Nalcool 2000, from the Nalco Chemical Company. It was the "pinkish" color and came in a pint bottle. I advised to my customers to change out their coolant completely, use a 50/50% mix of distilled or rainwater with good quality green antifreeze and add 2 bottles of Nalcool. Every 500 hrs add another bottle. Since that time I've never known of any failures due to cooling system cavitation erosion or sleeve O ring failures. Since then the good antifreeze has been invented using the same ingredients. Water filters must be removed or shut off when using this type of coolant.

Edited by DrAllis - 04 Feb 2024 at 8:15am

I was wondering if this would be a good thing to do to my 1962 D19D. It had a complete overhaul when I bought it 25 years ago. Was used on farm grinding feed, raking and baling for about 12 years. It is now retired in shed and ran a few times in the summer. It runs really well. Would this flush and new antifreeze help preserve and keep it running for years beyond me. rrhead(SD)

all my tractors have the original radiators and are clean inside

I work in maintenance of truck fleets with shops scattered out across the country. The execution of maintenance  varied from place to place. I commend those of you that have maintained your own units with filters and additives and completely agree that great results can be achieved in more than one way.  Your results prove this.

Why not convert this one now and save a bit in the long run. Down side is you will have to stock 2 types of coolant for now. Maybe buy a 45 gal drum and then start getting them all on one type. Make a good choice and you can probably run everything on one brand.

Keep in mind that many of the big truck diesels still have coolant filters so they can't be all bad. I still do a bit of maintenance at one shop. They have 3 KW with Paccar engines - all with coolant filters. 1 International with Cummins X15 also has coolant filter that we change about once a year. Neutral filters for filtration only. Those Paccar engines are built by cummins.