I changed the heads on my 65 this weekend, when changing heads on the engine in the car you almost always get some antifreeze in the cylinders when you pull the heads, my shop vacuum was sitting by the car because I had vacuumed all the dead bugs off the top of the engine before pulling the intake, so I grabbed it after pulling the heads and vacuumed the antifreeze out of the cylinders, it work perfect, then I used my oil suction gun and pulled out a couple of pints of antifreeze out of the rear of the water jacket and no more having antifreeze on the gasket surface every time you lean on the fender.
Maybe you guys do this already but I thought it was a moment of clarity for my foggy old brain.

 

I did this on my 540i when I replaced the intake gaskets (major PITA). I pulled the filter out of my shop vac and sucked most of the anti freeze out of the block. I can't tell you how difficult it is to get to the block drain. This is a method I will use in the future. I'm glad that I am not the only one that has done this. I haven't said a word about it to my mechanic friends because I figured I would be mocked mercilessly.
Cheers, Mike

 

I found the shop vac to be handy for a lot of things. I use it to vacuum the bits of manifold gasket and sealer that falls into the intake ports as well.

 

I have to agree with all.
If it sucks, I'll use it

 

I usually just pull the block drains and drain the coolant into a clean drain pan and then use filters usually paint straines to reuse the coolant. In the case I get collant in the cylinders good paper towels to pick up the bulk then a little compresed air to blow the remainder out. I also usually have a few gallons of acetone and I wipe the surfaces clean with acetone and lint free rags before I asemble anything. Another helpful tip is to use drain valves where the block drains go for future work.

 

Like a hot water globe valve - heck yes! Are those plugs 1/2" NPT or smaller?
Excellent tip! I have to drain both Olds' this spring...

 

I couldn't tell ya. A racer buddy runs that set up I mentioned. I just usually pull the plugs off but he runs the same kind of drain valve that is found in most older style radiators.

 

X2 here, I have an old filter Queen that I use as my shop vac, I need a new one mine just wont suck anymore. I'd like to find a Shop Queen blow/vac combo.

 

On my 70 Cutlass I replace my engine drain plug with a radiator drain plug. No more reaching under with a wrench. Just twist and let it drain.

 

A few years ago I added a 2nd fuel oil tank to my furnace I had to remove a plug from the bottom of the tank to link the 2 tanks.The one tank was 1/4 to 1/2 full.I put the shop vac on fill pipe and blocked off the vent.Didn't spill a drop.
railguy

 

The drain plugs are 1/4" not female. You can get brass petcock valves at most any hardware store.