Best coolant for a 307 ?

[Roy Ale]

What is the best coolant for a 1982 307 engine ? one site says the 307 needs the old style 2 year green coolant as it has better lubricant for the water pump . The older green coolant is not that common any more . I now have the 5 year long life Prestone in the 307 . Just put it in as the water pump had to be changed . The water pump was not leaking but bearings were grinding and loose . So now i am wondering did the water pump fail do to having the wrong coolant in engine . Last water pump had only about 9000 k on it , but car was in storage most of that time. And was a reman pump . Should i put in an additive to increase lubricant ?

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

You could add water pump lubricant, it should not hurt. I have been using the universal coolant in Olds V8's for a few years with no issues.

 

[Bill Demmer]

Your W.P. bearings are totally sealed against the coolant in the system. The type pf coolant you use has no bearing on the bearings. Use the long-life coolant, and add the appropriate amount of W.P. lubricant. W.P. lubricant is for the seal. It also contains anit-rust and corrosion inhibitors. If you can afford a new ACDelco pump, I'd use it. I've had nothing but trouble with reman'd/off-brand W.P.s. Set your belt tension with the proper belt tension gauge-your bearings will thank you.

Bill

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Bill good advice, where does one get a belt deflection gauge? I wish any water pumps besides Flowkooler had a closed impeller like the factory heavy duty cooling models. I am surprised anything A/C Delco is worth the extra money. Almost anything from them is Made in Mexico or China and not premium quality like it used to be.

 

[Bill Demmer]

I got lucky, I acquired 2 of them over the years. Here is a decent one, for decent money. http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338393046&icep_item=383658953995
That's the kind ya want.
ACDelco aint what it used to be, that's for sure. Still, they seem better than a lot of the other stuff out there.

Bill

 

[Roy Ale]

I had a shop replace the water pump . The new pump is an ASC WP-455. Any input about this Water pump ?

Belt tension. The shop uses a belt tension gauge. they get the belts very tight , seems way to tight to me ! when i adjust the three belts i do not get them that tight. Could my loose belt tension adjustment have anything to do with WP bearing failure ? I would think to tight would cause bearing failure .

 

[Olds 307 and 403]

Too tight causes bearing failures. The ASC stuff seems to be good quality.