[19Firebird69]

What coolant you recommend? Live in cali so sunny most of the time. Pontiac 461 alluminum radiator

[19Firebird69]

No heater no ac car

[moneypit]

I use straight water with one bottle of water wetter. My 37 stays around 180 and gets up to 195 in traffic in the Texas summer.

[Chris65LeMans]

Just distilled water and water wetter will work. I use 30% glycol (the green antifreeze) to 70% distilled water with water wetter for a higher boiling point.

If you want to spend hundreds of dollars on coolant, you can go with Evans waterless.

Either of these 3 options works. I wouldn't use anything else.

What part of Southern California are you in?

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

Just distilled water and water wetter will work. I use 30% glycol (the green antifreeze) to 70% distilled water with water wetter for a higher boiling point.

If you want to spend hundreds of dollars on coolant, you can go with Evans waterless.

Either of these 3 options works. I wouldn't use anything else.

What part of Southern California are you in?

Close to the mix I run. Maybe 25% AF, 1 bottle Water Wetter, and the rest is distilled water.

[19Firebird69]

Does anybody run 50/50 antifreeze. Also since is about to be first start up should i fill the engine with coolant first then fill thru the radiator

[1978 T/A]

I run a 50/50 mix of distilled water and Valvoline Maxlife coolant.

[george kujanski]

50/50 in the Midwest, just so I don't need to change it for the winter. If you are running water only, I believe the pump needs some lube additive for the seals.

George

[19Firebird69]

How much gallons does it take to fill pontiac 400 and a 3 row champion radiator

[JSPONT]

Make sure you use one that is aluminum safe. Dexcool....since you have an aluminum radiator, not sure if you have aluminum heads too.

[19Firebird69]

Yes alluminum radiator and heads. So should i use dexcool read some bad things bout dexcool

Originally Posted by JSPONT

Make sure you use one that is aluminum safe. Dexcool....since you have an aluminum radiator, not sure if you have aluminum heads too.

[Sirrotica]

Carquest is now part of Advance auto parts. Their AF is green in color compatible with any color AF and compatible with any metals used in the cooling system. Full strength is $13.99 retail, order it online and use any number of discount coupon codes listed with a quick search online.

Their description:

Advance Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is a universal formula good for all makes and models of cars and light duty trucks and mixes with any color antifreeze/coolant. Meets or exceeds all ASTM and SAE performance standards. The patented formula protects against corrosion of all cooling system metals, including aluminum, while providing maximum freeze-up and boil-over protection.

Product Features:

Universal car and truck formula
Maximum freeze-up/boil-over protection -84°F to +278°F
Meets or exceeds all major automobile manufacturers specifications
Patented aluminum protection
Provides year round protection against rust and corrosion
Green color

I just ordered 6 gallons of it, $60 after discount with tax, pick it up local tomorrow.

[1978 T/A]

Most modern coolant works for our cars with aluminum components as lots of today's cars have aluminum radiator cores.

Using distilled water is important and don't mix coolant. Dexcool is known to have issues if mixed with another type of coolant.

I use Maxlife because it's a universal coolant that is designed to be used in modern cars without concern of cross contamination and has corrosion inhibitors.

"Valvoline™ MaxLife™ coolant is designed to meet the
special needs of higher mileage applications, new cooling
systems can also benefit from its unsurpassed freeze
protection, enhanced corrosion protection, and excellent antiboil
performance. Valvoline’s MaxLife™ antifreeze coolant
is an ethylene glycol based formulation which can be used in
all makes and models of vehicles. It is formulated with
Alugard compatibility additive to improve performance
when mixing with other coolant types. The patented*
chemistry protects all cooling system metals from corrosion
including aluminum. The ASTM test data shown on this sheet
reflects the high performance corrosion inhibitor package"

[19Firebird69]

Would u mix this with water 50/50

Originally Posted by JSPONT

Make sure you use one that is aluminum safe. Dexcool....since you have an aluminum radiator, not sure if you have aluminum heads too.

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

Carquest is now part of Advance auto parts. Their AF is green in color compatible with any color AF and compatible with any metals used in the cooling system. Full strength is $13.99 retail, order it online and use any number of discount coupon codes listed with a quick search online.

Their description:



I just ordered 6 gallons of it, $60 after discount with tax, pick it up local tomorrow.

[Chris65LeMans]

You're definitely over thinking this. You can mix anything 50/50; except Evans.

You've heard bad things about Dexcool, I've experienced bad things about it.