Re: Right Mix for coolant

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/10/14 13:01:03

Anti-freeze comes in two concentrations and you have to read the label/chart on the back. One form is already diluted with water and you use it "as is". The other is a concentrate and you mix with the proportion of water that the chart indicates based on the lowest temperatures you want to protect against. Folks have used regular tap water for decades and it's OK unless your water is unusually "hard". Deionized water (chemically softened water) is preferable to distilled water though the distinction may be trivial.

DO NOT buy the extended life (generally red) anti-freeze, it's intended primarily for aluminum engines and radiators; the traditional (green or inorganic additive package) is best suited to cars with copper/brass radiators and iron blocks. I generally buy PEAK brand.

Your temperature gauge reading towards or just past "cold" seems typical of the 55/56 cars. When in doubt or curious, use a thermometer or IR temperature gun to see what the actual temperature is that corresponds to the gauge position.