1997 Chevy Camaro RS 3.8L Convertible.

Rust in Radiator, fluid was auburn/redish-brown(rust like color) - I drained that, then raised the car, removed the old radiator along with the top/bottom hoses. I also removed the coolant(overflow?) reservoir in hopes of replacing it with a new one. When I purchased the new one, there was one small difference between the two of them. The new reservoir did not come with the seal for the aluminum pipe to go into it.
QUESTION(S): Do I, or should I, attempt to reuse or replace the seal? Will it be damaged if I remove it from the OEM coolant reservoir? If I should have to replace it, where would I look? I have been to Napa Auto Parts, but they had no idea. My next stop is Kragen/Orielly's, and should that fail, GM.

The next question refers to the accumulation of Rust within the system.
Q: If I installed the new Radiator, and flushed it several times with tap water from the garden hose, will it eventually clear the system, or should I use a rust removing agent of some kind to aide in the process? Recommendations for said product? (I have not yet added Anti-Freeze to the system, and am just attempting to flush all of the old fluid out of it.
Q: If I purchased a flush "T", would it help to go from the heater core, or should I just continue to fill the reservoir/radiator, run it for 5 minutes, and flush it continuously until I waste enough water to assume it is clear of debris/rust.

My plan to to use Green Anti-freeze as opposed to the Dex-Cool(red), as it is much easier to tell if anything leaks, that it is not the transmission fluid. I realize that the powers that be suggest using the recommended fluids. However, the only true concern from them is, from what I can judge, if you mix or combine the two together. Opposing arguments?

Any support, advice, suggestions, and opinions are more than welcome.

Thanks,

Writer.

1997 Chevy Camaro RS 3.8L Convertible.

 

The main difference between the green stuff and the dexcool is you have to flush the rad more often with the green stuff. The green stuff sludges and degrades faster than the dexcool. The "rust" you speak of is actually a buildup of sludge. I had the same thing in my Camaro. Good thing you flushed the heater core too! As for the seal, change it. You'll be glad you did. this way it won't degrade faster than the new rad. However, why are you removing the coolant resevoir? If it's not leaking then just flush it out really good with clean water. Using a flush solution is a good idea to help loosen up some of the grime built-up in the system. You put the flush in and fill the rad with water. Run the car intil normal temp. Let the car cool down and drain the system. Then flush it again with fresh water. Attach everything and fill with coolant.


However, hopefully the sludge isn't plugging some possible cracks in a gasket or anything.
Don't use stop-leak or any other off the shelf product. The silicone can end up clogging the system and causing you more problems. I do recommend using the AC delco tabs. You crush them and put them in the rad after it's full. GM techs use the tabs after head gasket jobs and rad flushes.

 

Sweet. Thanks for the input Mrfreeze.

I figured I could avoid the hassle of trying to remove the "sludge" or "rust" in the old reservoir and just install the new one without having the concern it may have congealed sludge at the bottom, which would not come off with a solution. However, that was my fear getting the best of me it would seem.

I will try some of those ideas. Thanks again.

Writer.

 

No problem. I have alot of experience because I changed my waterpump last year in May, then the timing cover in July! Lots of coolant changing and flushing, lol!

I wouldn't worry too much about the resevoir since it's just overflow and doesn't get into the cooling system alot. I used a turkey baster and sucked out as much as I could from the resevoir, then I took a hose and shot water in my resevoir until it was clear. Here's what the coolant tabs look like:

 

I have a 95 z-28 I removed the radiator plug to drain it, it didn't seem like a lot came out , is there something I did wrong?