Im used to just flushing and using whatever I can as long as its pure and unmixed with other types of coolant.

Motor is a 99 5.3 from a silverado. Not sure as the fluid kinda seemed "pink" which might just be old orange fluid. What is the stock type of coolant? Since the motor was out and basically drained dry can I use the prestone yellow stuff?

I like to go with a mix of distilled water, coolant and a wetter agent... I shoot for -10*F as I dont see the need for -30*F here in NJ when it might get to 0*F once in a while and I know water cools better than coolant.

Its a basic stock long block with Fbody oil pan, New HV procomp mechanical LS1 water pump with billet O-ring spacers. Radiator is a new Howe universal 2 core fabbed aluminum 28x18 and a mr gasket 160*F Tstat.

Can I just throw in a mix of the prestone yellow and not have any issues?

 

Just make sure no dex cool is in it anywhere and you can use the green or the prestone yellow. I went green with my 408 and still running dex cool in the camaro. I don't think it makes much of a difference as long as its all the same.

 

I have had my motor apart and looked through the coolant passages in the block and the internals of the radiator with a borescope. The Dexcool keeps the internals absolutely clean, which should provide better heat transfer. I would personally stick with the GM Dexcool.

Water wetter is a silicate based solution, I have it in one motor right now but next change I will leave it out. It has caused problems for some.

 

Prestone makes antifreeze that mixes with any coolant. That is what i used on my 5.3 without any issues for the past 4 years.

 

Yea I'm planning on using the prestone yellow since it mixes with everything. And I have it basically already mixed from my last motor and it's basically fresh.

 

Yea I've heard about wetting agents can cause issues. I'm not sure which brands but for the most part most of the issues started with Dex cool.

 

Although engine gaskets are better today, I've seen too many engines through the years blown because of DexCool rotting away the gaskets. I won't use the stuff.

I buy full strength Prestone (not the pre-mix) and I double it with a gallon of ¢88 distilled water from a grocery store.

I've tried water wetters, they only seem to take your money.

Never use tap or bottled water in a cooling system, the minerals in it are bad for everything. Get distilled. Same for all your Kureg coffee makers!

 

I use BeCool... mainly cuz I have a BeCool radiator. But it's a 50/50 premix. Works awesome.

I did drain everything big time. New WP. New radiator. No issue.

 

Yup! That's basically what I do as well $1 distilled and a full strength bottle of yellow prestone. I like a 30% mix as u should always run the least amount of coolant as needed. -10 is usually good for me. I just wanted to make sure the LS series had a different requirement as u always hear horror stories of mixing non comparable coolants. My new ram has the same issue as it uses the new HOAT fluid which is like $50 a gallon and only available at the dealer. So a $30 lower Tstat swap becomes $80 bc u always need to top of the fluid.

 

I run CAT ELC 50/50 premix, but thats only because i get it in 15 gallon drums from my buddies work. lol It has a 300,000 mile service interval. I also have a 15 gallon drum of fleetguard but I dont use that because its blue. I try to run as close to 70 water 30 coolant and a wetter agent, i believe i used purple ice this time around, as Im also in jersey so like you said, that is optimal for our winter conditions.

 

ok, so any fluid i want it is! lol. Will prob reuse my used/new fluid and my left over mixed stuff and call it a day. 70 water to 30 coolant that is.