Got this from a friend and member of the EFV8 Club:

"AACA published this information in the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Newsletter concerning the use of "extended life" antifreeze in cars over 10 years old.
In a nutshell--don't do it!

Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should an "Extended Life" antifreeze, which utilizes Organic Additive Technology (OAT, H-OAT, or N-OAT) as one of its chemicals, ever be used in our cars over 10 years old. It attacks the gaskets and gasket cements in our cars, causing major leaks and forcing ultra-expensive repairs. The "Silver Ghost Association" Rolls Royce people have documented massive cooling system failures apparently caused by this anti-freeze product.

Antifreeze that can be used safely in our cars uses older-fashioned Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) additive. You cannot tell by the color of the antifreeze if it's safe to use. Also, the product may be labelled "Safe for Older Cars"--meaning 10 years old at most. Brands to be AVOIDED are all Prestone lines and Zerex's G-05 in the Gold-color container. Avoid any "extended-life" antifreeze. None of us wants to pull and rebuild our cars' engines.

Acceptable brands are Peak, Peak's HD Product "Sierra," and Zerex Original Green in the WHITE container.

If any of the OAT, H-OAT, or N-OAT products are in your car the cooling system should promptly be drained--radiator and block-- the system flushed thoroughly, and IAT antifreeze installed.
The article is in Newsletter LVII Number 8 2010. It will be posted on the ACDCLUB.ORG site in a few days in the newsletters section of the forum.
Forewarned is forearmed"

While I have never used DexCool or GO-5 in my truck, I'll have to check if it is labelled "Extended Life" (it's NAPA antifreeze). I'd be surprised if any of our old trucks still have original gaskets anyway.

 

What about Evans waterless coolant?
https://www.evanscoolant.com/?gclid=...hoCbP0QAvD_BwE

 

No information in their tech sheets to tell what kind of chemistry they are using.

 

 

Dang, I have prestone in mine but the panel has a new crate motor, pickup has an all original 83 motor

 

Personally, I don't like Prestone for some reasons that go back to the '60's, but I'm surprised their Green stuff is not recommended.

John, I don't understand what magical change occurred in engine design and gaskets in 2008? (10 yrs ago) This could be too broad a statement.

 

I would think that any engine rebuilt or built with current day gaskets and rubbers would be safe??? they surely aren't using 1960's technology in the gasket/seal market are they ???
j

 

I'd be more concerned with the motor in my pickup because it is still original from 83 , maybe I'll have to replace it sooner than I planned..

 

Bottom line anything with DEA as an ingredient is bad. Most universal coolants also meet dexcool requirements and that is where the issues come from. I would also like to Mention that Zerex gold doesn't have the additive and is safe to run and many do with aluminum radiators, intakes and heads. It does very well protecting both cast iron and aluminum and has no seal swelling agents. Also you will find all Heavy Duty diesel coolants are DEA free as it is not approved by major engine builders. I will say not to mix a organic acid coolant with green or a hybrid organic acid coolant with green. If in doubt pull up the SDS shert on the coolant and get the data sheet it will list the properties.

 

10 years seems a little short. GM has been using Dexcool since 1995 and Ford, Dodge have had extended life antifreeze since 2002.

 

 

I agree 10 years seems a bit broad of a statement. My daily driver 2004 Mercury Marauder (coming up on 15 years old now), with it's all aluminum 4 cam engine is required by Ford to only use Zerex gold. I'm not going to change it. It's interesting info nonetheless.

 

When you examine the components of a car’s cooling system. I can of think of a few areas that may be prone to chemical attack. The only engine component that is original on my truck is the brass radiator; the heads are aluminum and the ’86 block is cast iron.

Antifreeze is not a product that I even considered researching before buying. I liked the idea of the 5yr extended life version vs the old 2yr version because of the disposal issues.

I found the marketing of this issue similar to that of ethanol gasoline. They tout the benefits of the product but are short on warning you of the dangers. However, if you are concerned, they offer the original 2yr version to ease your anxiety. Of course, very few places sell the original formula, and the price is higher as is the case for unleaded fuel.

I believe that just driving the vehicle and regularly checking/changing the fluids will prevent major issues. Letting a vehicle sit too long can result in many detriments.

 

 

You bring up an important consideration; you have a very non-stock engine, with a completely different mix of alloys than stock. So what type of protection is really appropriate? Personally I would think that GO-5 might be the best, because it was developed (I am told) to deal with dissimilar metal corrosion.

Another factor to consider is that old stock systems don't have sealed cooling systems, so they get a lot of air contact that modern systems don't. Which inhibitors are best for dealing with that?

I'm going to look into the AACA notice, I'm beginning to believe there is much more to this. I did find this, which is pretty clear: (https://www.cgj.com/2013/05/20/what-...an-i-mix-them/ )