Begin with a clean system. Typically, at least one component has failed. It s logical to suppose that the rest of the components in the system are worn, and that the coolant has lost its protective capabilities through aging. Considering the time and effort going into a repair, a pre-emptive replacement of the radiator and heater hoses, belts, clamps, thermostat and other worn parts is a great recommendation and practice. It almost always saves the owner time, money and aggravation.
Weak parts tend to fail quickly after a major repair.
Invest in a quality, brand name coolant. Those marketed by the major producers, major oil companies and OEM dealers are generally reliable. Be sure they are labeled to comply with ASTM D-3306 Antifreeze Specification for cars. Trucks, even pickup trucks, benefit from the use of heavy-duty coolant. The radiator reviewed for this article might still be happily truckin down the road today if it had the benefit of heavy-duty coolant.