The good, the bad and the ugly from Pocono

[Bob In Ct]

Hey Kids:
Not to be a smart ass but if Dan had really taken that Chemistry course he spoke of he would know that antifreeze lowers the freezing point of water and raises the boiling point! It's not up for debate, it's fact! A 50% mixture of Prestone and water boils at 265 degrees F. It will freeze at about -40 degrees.

As far as putting in a thermostat with a lower temperature setting, it won't help. You're over-heating because the engine is producing heat faster than the radiator can get rid of it. The thermostat has nothing to do with it. If you removed it altogether it would still overheat.

Most race cars do not run antifreeze because it's not allowed. Antifreeze on the racetrack is far more slippery than water. I would run at least 40% antifreeze since it raises the boiling point of your coolant, lubricates the water pump and prevents corrosion.

You might also consider checking your air/fuel mixture. Too lean a mixture can contribute to overheating.

Bob