Carver Owners Forum

I am getting ready to start my engine after a rebuild.
I am looking to fill up the heat exchanger and coolant system today. The engine is a 1983 crusader 454.
The book says "full system capacity" is 32 quarts for a 454, and 14 quarts of antifreeze. So about 44% ethylene glycol and 56% water.
Is 50/50 mixture good enough? I am in the boston area and definitely dont want any freezing issues.

Any additional advice is appreciated!

Thank you

Pete, there maybe a scale/table on the back of the antifreeze jug as to the freeze protection for certain mixtures.....but the ultimate would be to get a good anti freeze tester and fine tune it later....tough to get all the amounts just right at the start, sometime there needs to be things changed so don't go too far with all the coolant just yet, it can be adjusted later after you are sure all is well.....good luck with the the first start and run.

Thank you Bud. I will try 50/50 for now.

I wouldn't sweat it too much, 50/50 should be fine for your area. Typically 50/50 protects to around -35F, 60/40 coolant/water is good to about -61F, 70/30 is good to about -83F. These are only approx. guidelines but they give you an idea. Also keep in mind that the ratios affect the boil-over protection.