doctorgene

Gentleman; With Aluminum radiator & water pump, all brand new. What is the best Antifreeze to use??? Thanks Up Front. I Appreciate, Gene

vetteguy22

I just did the same with my engine. New motor (aluminum heads, intake, water pump, radiator). I used a Dewitt radiator and they recommended 3 different brands of anti freeze. I can't remember them all but one was Prestone which is what I have always used so that is what I used. 50/50.

Marlin

Prestone and most longlife antifreeze is just Dexcool now. So I use the cheapest longlife coolant.

The Dye is different but that's about it.

Street Rat

I would put distilled water in it with a 50/50 antifreeze mix. Tap water may have minerals that will corrode the aluminum.

resdoggie

I just used premixed antifreeze - no mess, no fuss.

C2C3PO

I use Zerex Original Formula which is the old green silcate formulation.
It is compatible with all engine parts including aluminum so you should have no problems there.
I've done more reading than I care to about all the different types of antifreeze out there : HOAT, Dexcool, etc and this is what i chose for our muscle car application with a few new component upgrades like you mentioned.
All I can add is to use distilled water instead of tap water when mixing the concentrated product to your desired ratio.

silvvette

Been using dexcool for 10 years now and haven't had any issues.

Amorget

After my experiences with it in the 4th gen F-body world and a 1996 Chevy 2500 I would never put Dexcool in another vehicle.

DUB

I put it in cars that I have to installed it in...but MOST people actually believe the "hype" on how long you can go between coolant service....and that is where the problems begin.

I have drained so many Corvettes this this "stuff" in it that when it is coming out of the engine block...the red clay looking sludge just amazes me. Then goes the process of flushing it out with water (depending if it is an LSX engine or not) and then re-filling it. If the system is maintained more frequently than what "they" say...then it is fine. But if it neglected...oh-boy...!

Definitely use DISTILLED WATER ( as previously mentioned). Especially in engines that are using dissimilar metals...i.e. cast iron and aluminum.

DUB