Antifreeze question
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
Antifreeze question
I have a stock 226 which is running great but has only water in the cooling system. I want to put antifreeze in, and remember when I was younger, a 50/50 mix water/antifreeze was common.
First question: Do I want to use a 50/50 mix? Or, is it better with modern coolant to run 100% coolant?
The Shop Manual says my radiator is 18 quarts. I don't know how much water is in the block.
Second question: How much antifreeze do I put in the radiator (after draining it) to achieve the desired ratio of water to coolant?
If I'm just looking for a 50/50 mix in the radiator, that would be a little over 2 gallons of coolant.
First question: Do I want to use a 50/50 mix? Or, is it better with modern coolant to run 100% coolant?
The Shop Manual says my radiator is 18 quarts. I don't know how much water is in the block.
Second question: How much antifreeze do I put in the radiator (after draining it) to achieve the desired ratio of water to coolant?
If I'm just looking for a 50/50 mix in the radiator, that would be a little over 2 gallons of coolant.
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,516
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From: W. Central FL.
It really depends on how low temperatures you can expect. In southern CA I doubt if you get much below freezing if at all and won't experience freezing unless you are going to a ski area Usually a 50/50 is a good mix for most locations and will prevent rust. Carefully read the labels on the containers as it is common practice to sell the pre 50/50 mix at about the same price as pure antifreeze. If you mix your own, use distilled water so as not add unwanted minerals to the system. No, you do not want to run pure antifreeze.
I would think two gals would do the job, that is what I run in my FE powered '73 and my Y block '56.
I would think two gals would do the job, that is what I run in my FE powered '73 and my Y block '56.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
Thanks Raytasch.
We usually get a few nights below freezing each year, which is why I want to be ready with the antifreeze already in the system.
I haven't worked on car in so long, I didn't know if the 50/50 mix was still used.
We usually get a few nights below freezing each year, which is why I want to be ready with the antifreeze already in the system.
I haven't worked on car in so long, I didn't know if the 50/50 mix was still used.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Bonnyville Alberta
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
Well, I got around to draining the radiator last night (again) after I got home from work. Pacific Standard Time. Oh yeah, that means "In the dark".
I poured in one gallon of Prestone, and it filled the radiator. So I started the truck, waited for it to warm up, and the thermostat obviously works, as the coolant receded from the radiator. I poured in the second gallon. It took less than one gallon of water after that, so I'm assuming there's over a gallon in the engine that didn't drain from the radiator.
I let it run for several minutes with the same result. The water/coolant mix was getting hot, as vapors rose from the uncapped radiator.
I think I'm all set for our terrible SoCal winter now. It might freeze... well, it might. One more thing off the list.
I poured in one gallon of Prestone, and it filled the radiator. So I started the truck, waited for it to warm up, and the thermostat obviously works, as the coolant receded from the radiator. I poured in the second gallon. It took less than one gallon of water after that, so I'm assuming there's over a gallon in the engine that didn't drain from the radiator.
I let it run for several minutes with the same result. The water/coolant mix was getting hot, as vapors rose from the uncapped radiator.
I think I'm all set for our terrible SoCal winter now. It might freeze... well, it might. One more thing off the list.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Rockingham, VA
Yeah, I call that a freeze plug. I have never taken one out, and I didn't want to now since I got the two gallons of coolant in there. I sorta figured that's how everyone gets a 50/50 mix. 
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Lead Driver
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I think 50-50 will be fine for your area. Here in the north country I run enough to protect down to minus 35 which works out to be about 80% antifreeze and 20% water. Use distilled water to keep rust out...
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From: Timnath, CO.
Most auto parts stores carry a freezing/boiling point tester, for around $10. It's like a fancy turkey baster. You press on the rubber bulb to suck up coolant from the radiator, and a needle inside will tell you the freezing and boiling point of the mix. Glad I decided to test mine, because the freezing point was 24 degrees. That means it was mostly water. I honestly don't know how it didn't freeze before now, and crack the block. That's the only sure way to know you have the correct mix.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
The other reason to run 50-50 is that antifreeze is full of additives to prevent rust, neutralize acids, and lubricate the WP seals.
Wilsel, I had one of the type of tester you describe and found it to be wildly inaccurate. The counterman I trust at NAPA told me he had similar results and switched to the (cheaper) type with floating *****. You're on the safe side tho by adding more antifreeze.
Wilsel, I had one of the type of tester you describe and found it to be wildly inaccurate. The counterman I trust at NAPA told me he had similar results and switched to the (cheaper) type with floating *****. You're on the safe side tho by adding more antifreeze.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Sterling CO
The floating ***** one can be way off as well. My mom got a 2 pack of em for $2, identical 1 says tap water has protection down to freezing (ok I believe that), the other says 24 degrees... uh no way. Now that is just the 1st ball, after that the rest of the ***** line up correctly.
I did not know of the block drain plug, I simply parked it on a slope to get the block angled forward.
On mine recent flush and fill the 50/50 mix pegged out the 5 floaty ball style (-40 degrees) and the system took just under the 4 gallon of mix. Ran it around the block and retested and the last ball was half float / half sink (-20) so I left it there.. Obviously I didn't get all the clean flush water out of the system.
I think the QA process on stuff these days is just horrid - not your Japanese electronics, man that stuff is tight, everything mechanical made in china - gah!
(I'm still waiting on my Hong Kong PWM btw :P)
I did not know of the block drain plug, I simply parked it on a slope to get the block angled forward.
On mine recent flush and fill the 50/50 mix pegged out the 5 floaty ball style (-40 degrees) and the system took just under the 4 gallon of mix. Ran it around the block and retested and the last ball was half float / half sink (-20) so I left it there.. Obviously I didn't get all the clean flush water out of the system.
I think the QA process on stuff these days is just horrid - not your Japanese electronics, man that stuff is tight, everything mechanical made in china - gah!
(I'm still waiting on my Hong Kong PWM btw :P)
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