Reply to "Call for help 1 hour North of the SanFrancisco Bay Area (Santa Rosa)"

There is no rocket science required here. Use pre-mixed "aluminum" compatible 50/50 anti-freeze.

If you freeze up and have threaded in "freeze plugs" then you WILL CRACK THE BLOCK. Some engine builders install them over the pressed in freeze plugs because they feel they stiffen and strengthen the block.

It's easy to tell what you have. Stick your head up in there and check the freeze plugs. If you see something that looks like a big Allen socket plug (which it is) then the block has been modified by the builder.

If you have the pressed in cad plated steel plugs then that is stock. Theoretically they are supposed to pop out if the engine freezes to reduce the likeliness that the expanding frozen coolant will expand to the extent that it cracks the block.

SOMETIMES that works.

Why chance that. Use 50/50 anti freeze.

The more expensive GM qualification stuff theoretically is better for aluminum.

If you read your 50/50 Prestone information, it will say it is safe for aluminum as well. I use that. No problems with it.


I do have WaterWetter in the mix but that is really for additional cooling consideration.


Since you are running the steel radiator pipes put in some "rust inhibitor". That should help some.

What I have done as well as many others is install the stainless pipes. That way you should never have to worry anything about them any more. There is already enough to stress anyone out on worrying about what can happen in this car.

Just make sure you have tow insurance. Then go drive the thing.

This car IS as reliable as any car ever made. The negatives are largely hype by the "Chicken Littles" of the World.