Hawk Classic Cool 180° Waterless Cooling Fluid 25L

Hawk Classic Cool 180° 25L waterless cooling fluid is designed to provide protection for the engines of classic and vintage cars. It is particularly suitable for engines primarily made of cast iron and incorporating steel, copper, and aluminum components. To help you make the right choice, this formulation is primarily intended for vehicles from approximately 1950 to 1980, provided you verify the design of the engine and its cooling system.

Switching to Hawk Classic Cool 180° allows you to replace standard cooling fluid with a water-free solution. This technology is particularly beneficial for preserving vintage engines: it prevents water-related oxidation corrosion, reduces cavitation, features low vapor pressure, and minimizes the formation of vapor locks in the hottest parts of the engine.

With a boiling point above 180°C and a freezing point below -40°C, Classic Cool 180° offers a particularly wide operating range. The 25-liter container is particularly useful for restoration shops, classic car specialists, professionals, and collectors who maintain multiple vehicles.

Warning: Hawk Classic Cool 180° is not suitable for engines equipped with a thermosiphon cooling system.

Why choose Hawk Classic Cool 180° for a classic car?

• Formulation specifically designed for classic cars: engineered for engines primarily made of cast iron with steel, copper, and aluminum components.
• Water-free cooling system: eliminates problems directly related to the presence of water in the cooling system.
• Protection for vintage engines: According to Hawk, the absence of water eliminates oxidation-related corrosion.
• Boiling point above 180°C: significantly limits vapor formation in areas of the engine subjected to the highest temperatures.
• Freeze protection: freezing point below -40°C without the addition of extra antifreeze.
• Vapor pressure reduced by 75%: reduces stress on hoses, gaskets, and system components compared to a water-based fluid.
• Reduced cavitation: Hawk claims a 75% drop in cavitation erosion compared to water-based fluids.
• Reduced vapor locks: helps keep the fluid in contact with the engine’s hot metal surfaces.
• Extended service life: Hawk claims over 20 years and one million miles of service without the need for replacement.
• Non-toxic formulation: Tested and certified non-toxic by Hawk, biodegradable, and non-bioaccumulative.
• 25-liter container: suitable for restaurant professionals, specialized workshops, and owners of multiple classic cars.

Preparing the cooling system is essential before conversion

To fully benefit from the properties of Classic Cool 180°, the old cooling fluid and any water present in the system must be removed as thoroughly as possible. A simple drain may leave a significant quantity of fluid in the engine block, cylinder head, radiator, heater, or pipes.

The cooling system must therefore be prepared using Hawk Prep Fluid 5L. Its hygroscopic properties help remove any residual water remaining after the drain.

The Prep Fluid must then be drained before adding Classic Cool 180°. After the conversion, Hawk recommends that the residual water content be ideally 3% or less. A refractometer can be used to check this value.

Technical Specifications for Hawk Classic Cool 180° 25L

• Brand: Hawk Waterless Coolants
• Product: Classic Cool 180°
• Technology: Waterless engine cooling fluid
• Capacity: 25 liters
• Vehicles: Classic cars / historic vehicles / collector’s cars
• Recommended Use: Primarily vehicles from approximately 1950 to 1980
• Engine construction: Primarily cast iron
• Compatible materials listed: Cast iron / steel / copper / aluminum
• Physical state: Low-viscosity synthetic liquid
• Boiling point: Above 180°C
• Freezing point: Below -40°C
• Vapor pressure: 75% lower than that of a water-based liquid, according to Hawk
• Cavitation erosion: Reported 75% reduction compared to water-based liquids
• Color: Transparent green
• Odor: Virtually odorless
• Thermosiphon cooling: Not compatible
• Pre-conversion preparation: Hawk Prep Fluid
• Residual water after conversion: Ideally 3% or less
• Residual water check: Refractometer
• Former brand name: Evans Waterless Coolants
• Former product name: Evans Classic Cool 180°

A waterless coolant to protect classic engines

In a vintage or classic car, the cooling system must do more than just control engine temperature. The long-term preservation of the materials that make up the engine block, radiator, and various components of the cooling system is also essential.

Water, in particular, promotes oxidation. In a cooling system that combines different metals and is sometimes several years old, corrosion can gradually deteriorate the components. According to Hawk, the waterless operation of Classic Cool 180° eliminates oxidation-induced corrosion.

This feature explains, in particular, the appeal of this technology for restored historic vehicles, collector’s cars, and classic automobiles where the goal is to preserve the mechanical components for the long term.

Reducing Steam and Hot Spots in the Engine

The presence of water also poses a problem when temperatures rise sharply. In certain parts of the cylinder head or engine block, conventional cooling fluid can begin to boil locally and form pockets of vapor lock.

Vapor transfers heat much less efficiently than liquid in direct contact with metal. Localized hot spots can then develop, creating conditions that may lead to overheating or contribute to a blown head gasket.

With a boiling point exceeding 180°C, Hawk Classic Cool 180° significantly limits this phenomenon and keeps the coolant in contact with high-temperature metal surfaces.

Lower pressure for older cooling systems

Low vapor pressure is another advantage particularly relevant for classic cars. Hawk claims a vapor pressure reduced by 75% compared to water-based cooling fluids.

This drop helps minimize stress on hoses, gaskets, the radiator, and other components of the cooling system. In a classic car, where some parts may be original, restored, or difficult to replace, reducing this stress is a significant benefit.

Classic Cool, Vintage Cool, or Power Cool: Choosing the Right Formula

Classic Cool 180° is primarily intended for classic cars from approximately 1950 to 1980. However, this timeframe is a general guideline rather than an absolute rule.

For older vehicles, particularly those dating from before the 1950s and using older cooling technologies, Hawk Vintage Cool 180° may be more appropriate. Conversely, for a newer sports car that has been tuned or equipped with a high-performance engine, Hawk Power Cool 180° is generally the preferred formulation.

The choice must therefore always take into account the vehicle’s era, engine construction, cooling system components, and cooling system configuration.

Caution: Thermosiphon-Cooled Engines

The Hawk Classic Cool 180° is not suitable for engines that use thermosiphon cooling. This technology relies on the natural circulation of fluid caused by differences in temperature and density, and does not operate in a manner comparable to that of a modern forced-circulation system.

On a classic car, it is therefore important to identify the type of cooling system before performing the conversion.

Why choose the 25-liter container?

The 25-liter container is particularly well-suited to the needs of classic car restorers, garages specializing in classic cars, tuners, repair shops, and collectors who maintain multiple cars.

It provides a large quantity of Classic Cool 180° for multiple fill-ups or for vehicles with high-capacity cooling systems. The required amount should always be determined based on the total capacity of the cooling system.

Evans Classic Cool Becomes Hawk Classic Cool

Evans Waterless Coolants is now known as Hawk Waterless Coolants. The product formerly known as Evans Classic Cool 180° is now marketed under the name Hawk Classic Cool 180°.

The formulation remains unchanged. This is a rebranding and not a product change.

GT2i is an official dealer of Hawk Waterless Coolants and offers the solutions needed to convert to and operate a waterless cooling system.

FAQ - Hawk Classic Cool 180° 25L for classic cars

For which vehicles is Hawk Classic Cool 180° intended?
It is designed for classic cars and collector’s vehicles equipped with engines primarily made of cast iron with steel, copper, and aluminum components. The period roughly spanning from 1950 to 1980 serves as a good guideline for selection.

Why use a water-free coolant in a classic car?
The absence of water helps prevent oxidation-induced corrosion, reduce cavitation, and limit vapor formation at high temperatures. These characteristics are particularly beneficial for preserving vintage mechanical components.

Is Classic Cool 180° suitable for all classic cars?
No. The vehicle’s age alone is not sufficient to determine compatibility. The engine’s construction, the materials used, and the operation of the cooling system must also be verified. In particular, Classic Cool 180° is not suitable for thermosiphon cooling systems.

What is the difference between Classic Cool and Vintage Cool?
Classic Cool 180° is primarily intended for classic cars from approximately 1950 to 1980. Vintage Cool 180° is more suited for older vehicles, specifically those dating back to the 1950s. Engine technology remains the primary criterion.

What is the 25-liter size used for?
This size is particularly well-suited for automotive restoration professionals, specialized workshops, and collectors who own multiple vehicles. It allows for multiple refills from a single container.

Do you need to prepare the engine before adding Classic Cool 180°?
Yes, if the cooling system contains or has contained a water-based fluid. Hawk Prep Fluid 5L helps remove any residual water left after draining the system.

What quantity of water can remain after the conversion?
The residual water content should ideally be 3% or less. It can be checked with a refractometer.

Can water be added to Hawk Classic Cool 180°?
The product must never be intentionally diluted with water, as this reduces the benefits of waterless operation.

What should you do if you need to add water in an emergency?
Water may be added temporarily only to resolve an immediate issue when no Hawk fluid is available. Afterward, the system must be drained and then flushed with Prep Fluid to properly return to waterless operation.

Does Classic Cool 180° need to be replaced regularly?
Hawk claims an operating time of over 20 years and one million miles without the need for replacement, provided the fluid is used correctly and is not contaminated with water.

Are Evans Classic Cool and Hawk Classic Cool different?
No. Evans Waterless Coolants has become Hawk Waterless Coolants. Evans Classic Cool 180° is now called Hawk Classic Cool 180°, and its formulation remains unchanged.