I did a search, but didn't come up with much on this. Now that I will be running Aluminum heads & intake on my iron block, I've heard that the chemistry (pH?) will be different. Is this true, or is this an internet rumor? I've been told it can cause corrosion over time.

I'm curious what coolant everyone is running & if they use any additives.

I hope this isn't a stupid question...

I looked to see what Chevy spec'd for the AL headed LT-1's and there was no reference to anything special there... I just run a std. 50/50 mix.:)

You are talking about electrolysis, there was a big post on it on Pro-Touring. Apparently iron/aluminum isn't as bad as some other combos.
I think any good antifreeze will be fine, but you might want to use something like G05, which is used in a lot of the new cars out there. I think Ford, Toyota and some others use it, but I'm really not sure which mfgs. do.
It is available at the parts stores, I think Zerex has it, it's marked on the bottle.

G05 will work. Conventional green will work. Plain water will work....in the summer, with a corrosion inhibitor and some added lubricant. If you're worried about corrosion, there's a lot of corrosion inhibitors available to use in your cooling system. Just flush/change your coolant every couple of years and make sure it stays clean. JUST STAY AWAY FROM DEX-COOL. Better to not even take a gamble.

Electrolysis was a big concern in the Corvettes of the sixties and seventies.

Basically, you can use any antifreeze you want but I would highly advise you get an "Anode" from GM or use a Rad Cap anode system.

The anode is a sacrificial metal that is dropped into the cooling system and suspended by a cable near the filler neck or radiator cap. The process of electrolysis will eat away at the anode instead of the intake or heads.

If you've ever seen an old aluminum intake manifold at a swap meet with the water neck opening looking like it was chewed or partially disintergrated, this is the effect of electrolysis and is usually in street driven cars with little or no attention to the cooling system.

^ Learn something new everyday. :bowtie:

^ Learn something new everyday. :bowtie:

Yeah, no kidding. Thanks guys.

Link to cap: http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10001_10002_859326_-1

Electrolysis was a big concern in the Corvettes of the sixties and seventies.

Basically, you can use any antifreeze you want but I would highly advise you get an "Anode" from GM or use a Rad Cap anode system.

The anode is a sacrificial metal that is dropped into the cooling system and suspended by a cable near the filler neck or radiator cap. The process of electrolysis will eat away at the anode instead of the intake or heads.

If you've ever seen an old aluminum intake manifold at a swap meet with the water neck opening looking like it was chewed or partially disintergrated, this is the effect of electrolysis and is usually in street driven cars with little or no attention to the cooling system.


most if not all residental/commercial water heaters have this also, without it they would only last half the time they do now.

How long do the caps last? Is it obvious when they need replaced? Sorry if that's a stupid question. I've never seen one.