How Do I Get the Water Out When Changing Antifreeze?

A Muzi wrote:

[snip]
>
> We Corvair guys are advising on coolant?

Yeah. How _DO_ you guys get all the old air out of the engine?

--
Paul Hovnanian
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Have gnu, will travel.

jim evans wrote:
> Forgive me for posting this twice but I posted it in the other group
> by accident -- I intended to post here.
> =============================
>
> I've had this problem with most of the cars I've owned.
>
> When you read instructions for changing antifreeze they almost always
> say something to the effect that, "It's simple. Anyone can do it."
> Then proceed to give some simpleminded drain and refill instructions.
> Well, I've rebuilt engines and overhauled transmissions and repaired
> virtually every part of a car, but I don't find changing the
> antifreeze easy.
>
> For me, the flushing part is easy -- I use one of those Prestone
> backflush gadgets that go on a heater hose. The problem comes
> replacing the antifreeze. When I open the petcock on the radiator I
> can never get enough water to drain out to allow me to replace enough
> antifreeze to create a 50/50 mix -- too much water stays in the block.
> As a hypothetical example, assume the cooling system capacity is 12
> quarts. You need to add a gallon and a half of antifreeze to create a
> 50/50 mix. But, after draining all the water I can get to come out of
> the radiator petcock it will only take one gallon of antifreeze.
>
> I don't understand why others don't have this problem, but I never see
> anyone mention it.
>
> It's true, if you can find, get to and remove the block plug you can
> drain enough out, but the instructions never mention the block plug.
>
> I often find it is rusted or seized to the point it won't come out, or
> it's in some godawful location and with the engine hot you burn you
> hands trying to reach it. I have a permanent scar the size of a
> quarter on the back of my hand where I touched he exhaust manifold
> while loosening the block plug about twenty years ago.
>
> How do others drain the cooling system sufficiently to allow replacing
> enough antifreeze/coolant? (And, god help the people who buy
> prediluted antifreeze that requires you drain the system completely.)

The cooling system flush machines put adapters into the upper hose.
When the thermostat opens, the old comes out and the new goes in.
You're right about the rad not holding 50% of the coolant. Maybe in the
old days. About the only engines I can get the block drains out are the
GM 3100 and relatives. They've got a nice 9/16" head on them. I save
the ones from blown engines for race motors.

On Feb 24, 9:32*pm, "Paul Hovnanian P.E." > wrote:
> A Muzi wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
>
>
> > We Corvair guys are advising on coolant?
>
> Yeah. How _DO_ you guys get all the old air out of the engine?
>
> --
> Paul Hovnanian
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Have gnu, will travel.

I'll show you right after I change my blinker fluid.