Coolant type

[phatz_hatz]

Have a 95 5.7 350 TBI, i know this year is a “stand alone” year. I’m unsure of the antifreeze type and plan on changing the hoses, thermostat and housing. Have radiator and water pump on hand for a rainy day. My question primarily is does it have Dex or just regular antifreeze. Right now the overfill is an orange tinge. Does it matter what i put in it after i drain it all out and flush some distilled water through it ?

 

[Marky Dissod]

Does it matter what i put in it,
AFTER
i drain it all out and flush some distilled water through it?

IFF you drain it all out and flush (AND BACKflush) ENOUGH distilled water through it, then it does not matter what you put in it.

If the stuff in it is DexCool (was '95 a transitional year for using DexCool?), then you'd need to either flush it thoroughly and completely, or
or use a DexCool compatible coolant.

There's a Prestone Coolant I've been using since the early naughties that works with DexCool and other 'Domestic' coolant types without issue.

 

[phatz_hatz]

IFF you drain it all out and flush (AND BACKflush) ENOUGH distilled water through it, then it does not matter what you put in it.

If the stuff in it is DexCool (was '95 a transitional year for using DexCool?), then you'd need to either flush it thoroughly and completely, or
or use a DexCool compatible coolant.

There's a Prestone Coolant I've been using since the early naughties that works with DexCool and other 'Domestic' coolant types without issue.

I’m not particularly sure if it was, but being the coolant is orange I’m going to assume it is dexcool. I’ll take a picture of inside the rad and the overflow later today

 

[Eman85]

Pull the block plugs and drain everything. Use whatever cheap antifreeze you want after that. I've been using whatever is cheapest at Walmart for decades with no problems.
Before doing all of this did you pressure check and make sure you don't have any leaks before starting.

 

[phatz_hatz]

Pull the block plugs and drain everything. Use whatever cheap antifreeze you want after that. I've been using whatever is cheapest at Walmart for decades with no problems.
Before doing all of this did you pressure check and make sure you don't have any leaks before starting.

No i have not pressure tested, thats a good idea to do. Truck doesn’t leak much of anything except oil out the rear main seal

 

[phatz_hatz]

Dex cool or just rust top of the overflow lettering is in green unsure if that means anything