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Clever ideas for radiator drain valve

mrk5

mrk5

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When I pulled my radiator for the motor swap the t-handle on the drain cock just spun free without opening the valve. Had a new Dorman drain cock to put it but it was leaking and when I tried to turn the handle on it, it just spun free like the old one.

Anyone have anything clever they've used for the radiator drain? Meaning something beside the typical parts store fare.
 
good question
I was thinking a 1" copper nipple from home depot, 90* fitting with a plug. Not as easy to screw in and out or regulate how much comes out......but how often has anyone NOT completely emptied a radiator?
 
It's been awhile, but as I recall, I had a 3/8" NPT bung brazed onto mine. Then I added a 1/4 turn valve with some hose to get it below the frame rail. I always hated how it would get antifreeze all over everything whenever you drained it.

I'll try to remember to take a pic when I'm home later.
 
You can buy better quality shut off valves made of brass that aren't cheap crap like OEM petcocks ...or use a ball valve,if enough clearance exists for the handle..ones used on home oil burners are pretty tough and made of thick brass..I think many are 3/8" NPT too,which is what most radiators have--or 1/4" NPT..valve.jpg shutoff valve.jpg

I have used a siphon hose to suck the coolant out of the radiator into another container ,through the cap opening..this removes 90% of the coolant,so not that much gushes out when the hoses are removed..
I don't like sloshing around in a puddle of oily coolant under the truck when I go to yank out an engine..
 
I was wondering if a valve like those would work. I do know mine is threaded for 1/4"NPT. I usually try to get the kind of drain cock with the bit of pipe to slide a hose over.
 
Not to be a smart ass....Did you poke something into the hole in the petcock? I had to do just that Sat. Turned mine out all the way and nothing, poked a small screwdriver in there.....And coolant shot right passed the funnel I had ready. I guess mud or a wasp made a nest in there and clogged it up.

I did think at the time....There has to be a better way of doing this.
 
Ultimately the problem with the old drain and the new was the damn t-handle thing spinning free. On the old one, I may have been turning it the wrong way to start, those damn things confuse me everytime. But the new one spun free and I wasn't even putting much pressure on it, just with my fingers.

Damn wasps ruin everything!
 
and this?
Korkenzieher_01_KMJ.jpg
 
I had thought of running a ball valve, but not sure I trust them with the heat and pressure, at least on something this critical. Probably unfounded, they are used on all sorts of things.

I assume a "good" ball valve shouldn't have issues, but I also don't know what constitutes a good ball valve anymore.

I definitely like the thought of being able to direct it via hose into a container, and being able to start/stop flow easily.
 
On another car I owned I had a brass ball valve mounted to the radiator and I had a short hose I would screw on when I needed to drain the radiator. Worked very well and never made a mess.
 
dyeager535 said:
I had thought of running a ball valve, but not sure I trust them with the heat and pressure, at least on something this critical. Probably unfounded, they are used on all sorts of things.
Click to expand...
My thoughts too. The first examples I found weren't promising. Decided to give this one a try: https://www.mcmaster.com/#4082t42/=178mn07

4082t44p1l_634140407290000000.png

Only thing I'm concerned about is if it will fit. It looks like it should. Adding a hose barb might be the big obstacle for room tho. I will find out.
 
I don't like more connections than necessary, but I had also considered using a barb on the tank, hose to the ball valve, then hose off the ball valve. Would keep weight from hanging off the fitting on the tank if that is ever an issue with fatigue, and you could actually secure the valve in place if you wanted to.
 
Just put a npt plug in place of the petcock.. And just pull the lower radiator hose off to drain... Honestly .. Has anyone ever drained a radiator without making a mess ?
 
Firdaddy said:
Honestly .. Has anyone ever drained a radiator without making a mess ?
Click to expand...

No, which is why I want the capability. I never even change the fluid (just check/recharge corrosion additives), but when I need it out, I'd like to be able to capture it in a manner that doesnt involve a ton of sopping wet cardboard.
 
dyeager535 said:
I don't like more connections than necessary, but I had also considered using a barb on the tank, hose to the ball valve, then hose off the ball valve. Would keep weight from hanging off the fitting on the tank if that is ever an issue with fatigue, and you could actually secure the valve in place if you wanted to.
Click to expand...
That's an interesting idea as well.
 
Well since I am late to this, I doesn't matter now, but I have used these for years. Got them in the block drains on my C10 too.
And if you need an extension, there is a part for that too. Shouldn't need it on yours.
I get the drain cock at NAPA or my hardware supplier. You can shove a hose on the nipple.

14924761211591787705107.jpg
 
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