ok so my mild 350 with a 4 row radiator has been running hot, i found out my dad put in about 70/30 antifreeze to water, so i figure adjusting it to 30/70 instead will help since water is better at cooling and i live where it never freezes and drive only in warm weather. my question is, my dad seems to think that if i drain the radiator and fill it with just water, there will be enough antifreeze left in the block that it will balance to 30/70, but i dont think there will be enough antifreeze.. should i add some more or do you think theres enough?

I don't know how much fluid will be trapped in the block but I'd estimate about a gallon and a half for both banks. If you want to be certain you'll have to pull the plugs on the sides of the block and drain it first. If you don't drain it, I'd at least flush it the best you can. In that case, the remaining fluid will be mostly water. It's great that we don't have to worry about subzero temperatures isn't. Sure didn't seem like it this weekend though.

-dnult

[This message has been edited by dnult (edited 01-12-2003).]

I would buy one of those cheapie antifreeze testers. They run about $3 or so, and it would get you pretty close.

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Matt Jones
1969 Base Camaro
Vortec 355, Perf. RPM, Demon Carb., TH-400
All sheetmetal is NOS GM
See my webpage at: http://www.geocities.com/compuboy007/

If you have a drain petcock on your radiator, why not just open it up and drain the radiator, once that's done just fill it up with water. Start the car and then open the petcock again, with the water supply in the neck of the radiator (on very low). Once the water is draining clear you should be good to go from a fresh start. One other suggestion, I don't run anti-freeze at all, I use Hyperlube, It comes in a one pint bottle, poor one bottle in and fill the rest up with distilled water. This stuff actually works, keeps the water pump lubed, absolutely stops corrosion. I have been running it since it first came out a couple years ago, last time I had my heads off everything still looked brand new, no rust, no corrosion. I have tried Water Wetter and 40 Below and a few others, in my opinion Hyperlube is by far the best out there. Oh yeah and it keeps the engine cool.

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Royce (NO XQSSS) Bradley
70 Camaro 385ci 11.90's on street tires, pump gas, no nitrous, no trailer.
69 Camaro (sold)
71 Vega (still building)
2000 GMC Z71
Harley Davidson FXR
Camaro pictures http://community.webshots.com/user/camaroman7d

[This message has been edited by camaroman7d (edited 01-13-2003).]

[This message has been edited by camaroman7d (edited 01-15-2003).]

i second the hyperlube. i live in the northwest, and it does freeze occasionally, but my car lives inside and it hasn't been a problem. i have run just the hyperlube since i built my motor and like it very well, and if you have cooling issues this stuff helps with that as well. very good stuff, esp. if freezing isn't an issue.

Most Chevy cooling systems hold 4 to 4.5 gallons of coolant.
Your radiator holds aprox two gallons give or take.
So, you would be diluting the coolant in the block by 50% by draining and refilling with just water.
Half of 70% is 35%. I think you'll be a bit below that, because some of the block coolant will drain out when you drain the radiator. I would guess you'll be around 25% to 30%.
David

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just an update, i added 2 gallons of water and some water wetter, the car now runs steady at 195 instead of 220, so thats a marked improvement. thanks for the replies