'97 Chev P/U with 5.0 L. V-8

[Doug B.]

I recently purchased a '96 Chev pickup from my father in law for what I consider a really good price and was curious about your thoughts on this engine. My trucks get used very casually and for "light duty" work. Anything suggestions or tips on caring for this engine? Always have used good quality oil and have considered going to synthetic which I currently use in a number of engines. What kind of mileage might I expect with the automatic transmission? I'm a pretty "light footed" driver. 

By the way....most recent truck was a '95 Chev with the 5.7 liter engine. I could squeeze out 18 mpg if I was careful. 

[R.W.Dale]

the biggest thing you can do for these engines is keep the coolant fresh and changed.

The then new dexcool didn't get along too well with the older SBC design. Many folks ditched the stuff in favor of good old reliable and gasket friendly green antifreeze

[Doug B.]

So the ethylene glycol based antifreeze won't damage the cooling system or is just a flush and refill with the Dexcool adequate and advisable?

[R.W.Dale]

So the ethylene glycol based antifreeze won't damage the cooling system or is just a flush and refill with the Dexcool adequate and advisable?

That's what we always did

Just make sure you flush it very very thoroughly. I'd flush refill with water drive for a couple days, repeat and then go to ethylene glycol.