Ever heard of "water glass" for a cracked block??

[OldBlue72]

How's it going, all! Great site!

After doing major repairs on my beloved 71 Impala (ie. new transmission etc.) I have discovered to my dismay that my block is cracked! An old used car salesman told me to put some "liquid glass in the radiator". I checked into it and the product is called Sodium Silicate or more commonly water glass. (I found it at an old fashioned pharmacy and it costs $11.99.) ~FYI~. I am anxious to get started replacing the motor, but in the meantime since the car is not running, and the motor needs work anyway...I was just wondering... is this stuff an honest to goodness quick fix? I was thinking it may ruin your water pump or worse! Has anyone ever tried it? Does anyone know exactly how to use this and what could happen if I do?? I would appreciate any advice anyone may have!
Thanks!! Robert

[amac209]

you know what they say about used car salesmen??
theres all kinds of things you can throw in your radiator to stop leaks. if it will fit someones done it. some of these quick fixes stop the leak but unfortunatly the block up heatercores, thermostats, radiators. i heard a story about and overheating car and the radiator was full of rice!! must've seemed like good idea at the time. i wonder what that glass stuff would do if it got into the oil?? i'm sorry to say it but theres so such thing as a quick fix.. just bandaids

[OldBlue72]

Hey how ya doing? Yea, you are right about used salesmen! LOL I also agree with you about lots of things being band-aids. The old man at the car lot actually said that they use this stuff on a motor that's had it and they can get it running long enough to sell it and get it down the road for a month or two. Amazing how people can scam us!!