Looking for modern antifreeze recommendations

If your system is thoroughly cleaned out, almost any of the name brand anti-freeze products will last close to 5 years. I would add a can of water pump lubricant to the antifreeze mix just for a little added protection. You can also use distilled water which helps a little bit, especially if your local water is high in minerals.

use a 50/50 mix of motorcraft gold and distilled water

I don't know if they have changed things with regard to antifreeze but I wouldn't run a motor on straight water myself.
bumpy

Pfft. Given the opportunity, I would rather change antifreeze than deal with problems attributed to the newer long-life stuff.

dan23 wrote:
Pfft. Given the opportunity, I would rather change antifreeze than deal with problems attributed to the newer long-life stuff.

I'm curious, what problems exist by using the long life coolants.

I use nothing but standard ethylene glycol and distilled water in my 95 F53 460. Change it ever 3 years. When I pull the block drain plugs, there is no muck in the block. Water pump lasted 90,000 miles.
It probably makes no difference what you use as long as you do the proper maintenance.
I'm sure the diesel guys will tell you all their needs but your ol 460 is a lot more forgiving.

Richard

There may still be issues with original "long life" and some of the parts in a design that old
That's why I switched everything over to a quality "universal" antifreeze.

BigSkyBob wrote:

dan23 wrote:
Pfft. Given the opportunity, I would rather change antifreeze than deal with problems attributed to the newer long-life stuff.

I'm curious, what problems exist by using the long life coolants.

Here's just one of (I expect) many threads on BITOG on the topic:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3645469/Coolant_Loss_2005_Equinox#Post3645469

dan23 wrote:
Here's just one of (I expect) many threads on BITOG on the topic:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/3645469/Coolant_Loss_2005_Equinox#Post3645469

Did I miss something in the thread. No mention of a problem caused my long life antifreeze. More about failed head gaskets in GM built V6 engines.:?

rgatijnet1 wrote:
If your system is thoroughly cleaned out, almost any of the name brand anti-freeze products will last close to 5 years. I would add a can of water pump lubricant to the antifreeze mix just for a little added protection. You can also use distilled water which helps a little bit, especially if your local water is high in minerals.

+1 - Ethylene glycol is ethylene glycol. Prestone's is no different than Peak's. Or NAPA's.

Yeah, the 1% of the mix that's proprietary additives might vary, but it's all perfectly good stuff. Just don't use tap water, because of the afore-mentioned mineral content. 50/50 mix is best. Full strength A/F or H2O is actually LESS protective of both freeze and boil-over than a 50/50 mix, which should be good to about -30F and +265F.

Change at 3 if you're really concerned, 4 if you're non-committal, and 5 years if you're not so nervous.