> In any case, I've got a ton of anti-freeze which I haven't yet done
> anything with. Should I use a mixture, or how do you proceed with
> prepping these cars for spring/summer driving?
Assuming this is standard full-strength ethylene glycol (not "premix" or
"extended life" or "non-toxic" antifreeze), unless you need more freeze
protection, I'd suggest 30% AF and 70% purified ("distilled") water. That
mix will provide complete freeze protection down to 0F, obviously if you
live in a more northern clime you need a stronger solution. 30% is the
minimum recommended concentration for corrosion protection, so run that much
even if (like me) you live where it never freezes.
Standard coolant should be changed every two years, whether or not you drive
the car. The corrosion inhibitors wear out with time even with the engine
not running. Another option is adding more corrosion inhibitor (like
No-Rosion brand), but the coolant still has to be periodically changed and
No-Rosion is more expensive than anti-freeze (around here anyway).
BTW, pure antifreeze is flammable.
One other factoid, ethylene glycol is poisonous to pets, particularly dogs.
Any spills should be attended to promptly. Lots of people claim dogs and
cats are attracted to the stuff, but mine never showed any particular
interest on the rare occasions when both were in the same area.
Some areas forbid engine coolant in sanitary drains, but most allow private
individuals to dispose of small amounts into municipal sanitary drains.
Never put it into a septic system, or a storm drain.
HTH
Randall
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