Radiator drain petcock

[31 Model A]

The petcock has frozen up. I have sprayed some penetrating oil on the valve and I will let it set overnight. I notice the spring on the backside of the valve and want to make sure when I turn it, it's the normal righty tighty, lefty loosy. I need to drain the radiator and get anti-freeze in it. Can't find the turn direction in any of my books. I don't have a way or the weather to flush it yet.

Thanks

[Mitch//pa]

It is supposed to turn either direction
You can also just unscrew it and work on the bench with it

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

It is supposed to turn either direction
You can also just unscrew it and work on the bench with it

Thanks Mitch............

[Mitch//pa]

i see sarah is already being difficult... its one thing dating and another living together

[Fred K-OR]

Being made out of a "soft" metal, it also breaks off easy. Don't need to ask me how I know!

[31 Model A]

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Originally Posted by Fred K-OR

Being made out of a "soft" metal, it also breaks off easy. Don't need to ask me how I know!

I've learned to go where the advice is perfect when I'm on unfamiliar ground....I have even stopped now and then and ask directions. Although a soldier never gets lost, they only get......mis-orientated.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

i see sarah is already being difficult... its one thing dating and another living together

I have patience and all winter......come spring I want her to purr and perform.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I always use antifreeze year round. Water causes rust and plugged radiator tubes. Be sure to check your lower water pipe for deep pits. Mine developed a pin hole, and while climbing a long hill a year ago it lost the coolant and overheated. Luckily I had 3 gallons of water along, but overheats never helped an engine. I rechecked the head nuts the next day and found they had loosed up a lot from the overheat.

A 6" adjustable wrench works well to turn the tight drain cock. Be sure to poke a wire up the hole to be sure it's open and all the water has drained out.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I always use antifreeze year round. Water causes rust and plugged radiator tubes. Be sure to check your lower water pipe for deep pits. Mine developed a pin hole, and while climbing a long hill a year ago it lost the coolant and overheated. Luckily I had 3 gallons of water along, but overheats never helped an engine. I rechecked the head nuts the next day and found they had loosed up a lot from the overheat.

A 6" adjustable wrench works well to turn the tight drain cock. Be sure to poke a wire up the hole to be sure it's open and all the water has drained out.

I'm going to tackle changing the radiator liquid out this weekend. it's suppose to be in the 50s. Right now it's a -2. I was able to add about a quart of 50-50 last night to what ever is in the radiator now. I just feel and can sleep better at night when I know everything is right. I've always believed that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure plus, "preventive maintenance" is still Army tattooed on my brain.

[Mitch//pa]

topping off a quart wont do squat for the engine if the system is full of water... you would be better off just emptying the system till the weekend..
when all said and done the level should be about baffle level in the radiator...

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

topping off a quart wont do squat for the engine if the system is full of water... you would be better off just emptying the system till the weekend..
when all said and done the level should be about baffle level in the radiator...

Didn't think it would really. The first thing I wanted to do was get it drained while the garage was heated but the peacock stopped me. I'll see if the penetrating oil did any good over night later.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Didn't think it would really. The first thing I wanted to do was get it drained while the garage was heated but the peacock stopped me. I'll see if the penetrating oil did any good over night later.

Most handles are tight from not being used for years. Just slip an adjust wrench on the handle and give it a quarter turn. Be sure to poke a wire up the opening until you are sure it's all drained.

Bert's sold many dozens of engine blocks last year due to freeze cracks.

[Nabco]

From another newbie who just did the same thing a couple weeks ago...a few notes...

As Tom mentioned, you only need to turn it 1/4 turn for it to be wide open and 1/4 turn to close it.....I did not know that until I actually did it.

I also went to the hardware store and bought a short length (about 5 feet) of 3/8 inch inside diameter rubber hose, this fit perfectly on the drain and was easily able to run it to a 5 gallon bucket..

Good luck.

Nick

[31 Model A]

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Peacock opened up and good anti-freeze began coming out. I closed it back up and gave a good sigh of relief.

[redmodelt]

Get a anti-freeze checker! Just because it has color does not mean it's good.

[Mitch//pa]

just dump it and refill with fresh you dont know how long its been in there..

[Clem Clement]

Get new in the rad. No telling the acidity of the old stuff.

[31 Model A]

I will do a complete drain and refill tomorrow..............Thanks gents!!!!

[jack99]

Change it out 50 50 water and antifreeze. The problems people have with something as simple as the pet cock on the lower pipe. Amazing!