Anti-freeze or What in a aluminum radiator

[Andy Anderson]

Re:Dale, I used Prestone in 1960

Dale, I bought my 1960 270hp new and used Prestone like the hand book said. Two years later I had to replace the radiator because of leaks. I put a brass radiator in but I didn't get the cooling I needed. Now 40 years later I am going back with aluminum and don't want to look at replacing it in two years. At a $1000.00 a radiator. That is why I posted the first time. Maybe I just got a bad one in 1960.

[Andy Anderson]

Re:Dale, I used Prestone in 1960

Dale, I bought my 1960 270hp new and used Prestone like the hand book said. Two years later I had to replace the radiator because of leaks. I put a brass radiator in but I didn't get the cooling I needed. Now 40 years later I am going back with aluminum and don't want to look at replacing it in two years. At a $1000.00 a radiator. That is why I posted the first time. Maybe I just got a bad one in 1960. I do Thank all of you for the Help. I think I have learned alot. Thank again

[Richard T.]

Re:Dale, I used Prestone in 1960

I,ve been using Prestone or other quality , name brand ethylene glycol based anti freeze in my 62 for 25 years and my radiator is fine. I've used it in other Corvettes as well. I think the important thing is to drain , flush and refill with fresh anti freeze every 2 years at a minimum. I also add a bottle of Red Line water wetter and it seems to drop my operating temp about 5 degrees but the car still runs warm. It's an F.I. car so the high compression causes it to run hotter than the base motored cars. I wouldn't worry about using Prestone with your aluminum radiator , just keep it fresh. Rich #2276

[Chris H.]

Re: No, it's a battery

Duke, I saw an ad for a radiater cap that has a "cathode?" sticking down into the fluid that absorbs the excess voltage in the coolant. The ad mentioned how current will flow to the "softest" metal in the system (aluminum) and accelerate the corrosion process.

[Duke W.]

Why the FI runs hotter

Your '62 FI does not run hotter because of the high compression. It runs hotter because it doesn't have vacuum advance. It was added to the SHP and FI engines in '63 when they replaced the dual point with the ubiquitous single point ignition. High compression engines actually reject less heat to the cooling jacket because the exhaust gas is cooler. A higher compression ratio means a higher expansion ratio. That's why, all other things being equal, a higher compression engine will deliver better fuel economy.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Snake oil

I think we talked about that one a few months ago. It's snake oil. The best way to protect the cooling system is to use a quality antifreeze, which includes a proper corrosion inhibitor package and change it according to the manufacturers specifications - xx,xxx miles or x years, whichever comes first.

Duke