[punkin]

Good day everyone,

I'm replacing a heater core on my 69 f-body project. I have aluminum heads, intake and radiator and just realized that the heater core is copper. Curious to hear recommendations for coolant type with a mix of these metal types.

I'm trying to take in a lot of technical information but I haven't seen anything that directly addresses this question but I think HOAT looks like it might work.

I appreciate your recommendations.

[jwcfbd]

When I had my 400 built using aluminum heads, intake, radiator and bored out to a 461 pushing 550hp. When I asked the shop what to use they told me I was fine to just use the regular premixed stuff.

[RocktimusPryme]

From what I understand, as long as you dont have any copper/brass you can use the newer stuff. But if you have an original heater core.

HOWEVER, you need to be completely flushed as new and old dont mix well.

I wanted to use newer stuff, just because I hate the old green toxic stuff. But I split the difference and went with Peak Sierra. Its Poly Glycol instead of ethelene glycol so its safer for pets and whatnot.

I hear its big in the offroad community so if you have a leak in the woods you arent mudering wildlife.

[jerry455]

I like using the orange Dexcool antifreeze. That is what I have seen a lot of engine builders use lately. GM has been using it since around 1995-1996. There is no good antifreeze for wildlife as even propylene glycol is still just as poisonous. Instead of taking a cup of ethylene glycol to kill you, it takes a cup and a half of propylene glycol.

[punkin]

I thank you for the replies and suggestions.

[tom s]

I use distilled water and a bottle of water wetter.Nothing else.Tom

[78w72]

Originally Posted by tom s

I use distilled water and a bottle of water wetter.Nothing else.Tom

You can do that in warm weather states... not in colder climates.

Standard green stuff works great for copper/brass parts as well as aluminum, been using it in cars with different combos of those metals for decades with no cooling system issues, parts & radiators show no signs of corrosion or pitting etc.

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

https://norosion.com/


I had a 10 deree improvement in the worse part of summer over coolant.

[dataway]

propylene glycol is actually very safe. It's a common ingredient in food, drugs etc.

[RocktimusPryme]

Originally Posted by dataway

propylene glycol is actually very safe. It's a common ingredient in food, drugs etc.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking too, but I didnt feel like arguing.

It is worse as a coolant from a heat dissipation standpoint from what I understand. But Im only mixing mine like 1:5. My garage rarely gets below freezing so I only need protection down to about 20 degrees

[burd]

My 95 w/ alum engine, rad, reg heater core, green. Stuff. Factory.
Keep your Jeep,out of the woods.

[dataway]

Isn't the Zerex recommended for vintage cars? Like the Zerex Green or the G08?

[LM93]

Zerex Original green is IAT tech with a 5 five year/ 150k mile life, perfect for cars with older brass radiators or heater cores. If your parts are new then G05 might be a better choice, in theory HOAT stuff is easier on water pump seals than IATs. I believe IATs work by creating a layer of protection on the surface of metals and HOATs work by cleaning oxidation as it forms. Regardless, change your antifreeze when the jug says so, it's not expensive to do. A big factor in antifreeze tech is that OEMs can't trust their customers to not use tap water so, for example, European OEMs formulate their antifreeze specs to work with the hard water that is common over there.

[vertigto]

So what about stock-ish engines with aluminum water pumps and radiator?

[78w72]

Originally Posted by vertigto

So what about stock-ish engines with aluminum water pumps and radiator?

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Prestone-...SABEgLYg_D_BwE

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Tec...=0&athena=true

[Red Box Rebel]

Originally Posted by tom s

I use distilled water and a bottle of water wetter.Nothing else.Tom

Texas is a warm weather state and actually, it is downright hot as hell in the Summer with 100+ days more than 30 last few Summers. Woke up every morning this past week here in San Antonio to temps between 20F and 25f every day.
Point is that even in so called warm weather states, freeze protection is still required.
In addition to freeze protection, you need to guard against corrosion from running just water.
The Water Wetter product helps reduce coolant temps but will not protect against corrosion and freezing temperatures. Go with a minimum of 40% coolant/anti-freeze product.

Prestone has recently produced an Anti-Freeze fluid that will last 350k miles and 15 years for all years and all makes of cars and trucks. I use it in my '68 GTO with standard heater core and cast-iron block/heads and an aftermarket aluminum radiator. That is what I would use in your project.

[72LuxuryLeMansLa.]

Originally Posted by Red Box Rebel

Texas is a warm weather state and actually, it is downright hot as hell in the Summer with 100+ days more than 30 last few Summers. Woke up every morning this past week here in San Antonio to temps between 20F and 25f every day.
Point is that even in so called warm weather states, freeze protection is still required.
In addition to freeze protection, you need to guard against corrosion from running just water.
The Water Wetter product helps reduce coolant temps but will not protect against corrosion and freezing temperatures. Go with a minimum of 40% coolant/anti-freeze product.

Prestone has recently produced an Anti-Freeze fluid that will last 350k miles and 15 years for all years and all makes of cars and trucks. I use it in my '68 GTO with standard heater core and cast-iron block/heads and an aftermarket aluminum radiator. That is what I would use in your project.

This does. https://norosion.com/

https://norosion.com/tech_coolant.htm

[78w72]

This is a better water wetter type product that does have anti corrosion properties, but no anti freeze. You can use a lower concentration than 40% of antifreeze for warmer climates to protect to ~20f. The anti freeze products also have boil protection too, so best to use some percentage for both benefits. The hypercool product works just as good as water wetter for reducing temps but also has anti corrosion for guys that want to or can run pure water or a low mix of coolant.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hy-Per-Lu...SABEgJlKvD_BwE

[HWYSTR455]

I have used Prestone for years and years, never had a problem, even with cars that sat for a while. All have a mix of iron, aluminum, and brass.

Once I get the GTO ironed out and am sure I won't be breaking into the engine any time soon, I will probably switch to a HOAT, just so I don't have to change it every X years. I think they now go to 100k miles/10 years.


.

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

I just use 50/50 conventional green, and make sure the label states that it conforms to GM 1099-T standards. Zerex, Napa, etc. all work.