Is it OK to run water with water wetter or some additive to keep engine cool enough? I know antifreeze helps keep cool, but if a leak happens, antifreeze is a pain to clean off engine and on the track.

The only reason that race cars run water and waterwetter is incase of a leak water dries but antifreeze doesn't and real hard to clean up.
But for street use We use dexcool 50/50 mix
Must make sure you flush out all the old green antifreeze before using dexcool cause ordinary antifreeze will contaminate dexcool...


Tom...www.tkmotion.com...Porting...Flowbench...14 NHRA Records....Making the fastest cars faster...

Plus the fact that antifreeze/coolant contains glycol which lubricates the waterpump as well as keeping it cooler. a good 50/50 mix and you shouldnt have problems overheating with the proper add-ons. If you're worried about drips, run a bigger catch can, duct tape your hoses, and run an engine diaper, and you shouldnt have a problem
Just some info.
~*Adam*~

So how many qts./gallons does a 302 block with 3 core radiator hold?

the easiest way to get close to a 50/50 is to put in a whole galllon of coolant and fill the rest with water... that will give you enough of each, that one gallon is enough to lube the w/p.
~*Adam*~

[Twister]

use distilled water with the anti freeze, it will coroade less.

[skybus4012]

A 50/50 mix raises the temp the water will boil. will prevent boil overs. Stright water is never a good idea.

[ItsaV6iswear!]

The only reason that race cars run water and waterwetter is incase of a leak water dries but antifreeze doesn't and real hard to clean up.
But for street use We use dexcool 50/50 mix
Must make sure you flush out all the old green antifreeze before using dexcool cause ordinary antifreeze will contaminate dexcool...


Tom...www.tkmotion.com...Porting...Flowbench...14 NHRA Records....Making the fastest cars faster...

http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html

[systronic]

well, 50/50 mix is good for street cars... that are driven all year round.

your mustang is probably a decent weather car. water is actually a much better cooling liquid than antifreeze. the only reason antifreeze is used is... well.. because it doesnt freeze.

for your summer car, a 70 water / 30 coolant mix is good. use good coolant.

i think that the 5.0 takes 14.1 quarts in the entire cooling system. to be sure, check your manual. its in the back, under fluid capacities.

['95.0 stang]

Antifreeze also prevents rust from forming in the cooling system. I wouldn't stray too far from a 50/50 mix.