Anyone out there have any advice on what coolant to use in a blown big block w/aluminum heads, aluminum radiator? If I remember right I've read somewhere to stear clear of Dexron, other long lifes are ok. Engine started out with green, then I switched to the long life before I learned that the green/long life mix alone can casue some issues. I am currently working on the cooling nightmare issue (different post), and am preparing to ditch the Water Wetter laced long life mix I drained out of the engine. Today I saw a new mix at NAPA (clear stuff) that is apparently compatible with ALL other coolants, including green. Thanks in advance.

what I've found is all the major brands are good ... IF you replace the coolant once a year .... its the time / acid content factor that mess's up aluminum intakes ,heads, radiators .... way to many people just don't think about maintance on the cooling system untill it starts giving them trouble ... changing fluids is much cheaper then replacing major parts !! there used to be a comercial saying you can pay a little now or a lot later ...one of the most truthful things I ever saw on T.V. :thumbsup:

I found the orange Dexcool to be very good at protecting aluminum parts. Many of GM's modern engines are all aluminum and their warranty requires Dexcool.

The previous post is right that coolant should be changed occasionally to flush acids and corrosives.

My experience with traditional green ethylene glycol coolant is tainted after a dramatic part failure. My nearly-new Mr. Gasket chrome thermostat housing corroded clean through while pressurized, and the engine lost most of its coolant. I've switched to the orange Dexcool and not found any new corrosion in over five years. Your mileage may vary.

If I was working on a cooling nightmare, I would be using the coolant with the highest specific heat I could find, namely distilled water.

I think you mean Dexcool instead of Dexron right? The key to cooling system life is not the type of coolant, its in the maintainence. Flush once or twice a year I recommend.

If you think the green stuff corrodes, wait till you see areas where air is exposed above the Dexcool level. Thats why newer GM cars had a problem. Anything under water was fine but above that exposed air a few spots.

Yep, Dexcool. Sorry about that. I'm quite sure that somewhere in the past I read that one should stay away from the Dexcool stuff, bad, bad news. So far I have made sure that any long life I have purchased does not have Dexcool in it. Also, I have been waiting approx 8 weeks for a Ron Davis radiator and the system has been open for that long. Is this a problem?