As I was perusing the cooling system part of the Maintenance Manual, I noticed that when changing antifreeze in the car, it says to open “all drain valves”. The drain on the radiator itself is pretty easy to find. But where are the other drains? It’s anybody’s guess when the antifreeze was last changed so I want to get it done. When I drained the radiator, I got just over one gallon out. The fluid level was not visible in the filler neck before I started. The “Book” says the system holds 18 quarts or four and a half gallons. I’m guessing there is at least two more gallons in the engine that needs to get out. Any ideas?

 

maybe on the block under the manifolds

 

Jack the back of the car up, so the anti-freeze flows forward into the radiator

 

My drain is the lower water pump hose attachment. Stronger than the radiator's one. Drain ***** have a bad way of not resealing.

 

Remove the pipe plugs from the block. Prepare yourself for the amount of crud that collects in there.

 

One typically flushes the radiator with multiple runs. I like to empty it, fill it with water, go for a drive, warm it back up, then park, let it cool some, then empty it. Repeat until the water is clear coming out. So, then you have 100% water. I then put in 2 gallons 100% antifreeze (not 50/50) and that gets you to 50/50 overall for a 16 quart system. I then put a 9th quart in wherever I can and that's 18 quarts, 50/50. Or you can pull all the plugs.

 

I think I’ll give this one a try. The radiator gets cleaned out and I get to drive the car around. I wonder how much water just the radiator holds. Will it hold two gallons of antifreeze? I’d rather not start taking off radiator hoses and possibly have them start leaking. Like they say “ If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

 

I always do like Koda said and pull the lower radiator hose. Never had an issue with resealing in 40 years of doing that on all of my vehicles.

 

If you pull the hose from the water pump abs can’t get it to seal up again, the hose is probably junk.

Multiple flushes with plain water until it comes out clear, followed by a complete drain and refill is all that’s needed.

 

Use distilled water to dilute anti freeze.

 

There are pipe plugs on each side of the block for draining the cooling jacket.

 

Thanks for the picture. Aside from being hard to get to without a lift, I’d be a little worried that they would begin to leak when they’re put back in. I’m going to stick with the drain, fill, run, fill, etc. I’m on the fourth time now. Still pretty green.

 

Actually, I missed the fact that you're asking about a 1955. My first photo was a second-gen block. Here's a first gen Olds V8 block.

 

Thanks for that. How do you get the arrows into the picture?

 

As simply stated as possible - it does not happen, nor are there any tools on this site which enable a person to insert any object (including arrows). There are many programs which have "symbols" built into them (by default) or which you can incorporate. Some programs are germane to the OS (Operating System) i.e. MSPAINT (Micorosft), Linux has a couple, UNIX has one, Apple has several, etc. Also, any image software programs (PowerPoint, Photos, Adobe, Paintbrush, etc.) have symbols. It takes a couple minutes, or seconds as you must download copy the image, insert the image, then insert the symbol(s) you want to use, then export the modified image. Joe does a good job in assisting others with excellent images. In short, any symbols you see in images were created outside of this CO site. HTH

 

Example:

 

PowerPoint is the easiest way. Then group all the items and use the "Save as an image" function.

 

That is correct.

 

I use distilled only, even for the 100% water fill and flushes. It’s cheap, and my tap water is so hard it that I would never put in any batteries or radiator.

 

Roger that. In my area, distilled water is $.88 per gallon. Assuming a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, one would only need a little over two gallons. That’s pretty cheap insurance. Don’t get me started on the cost of antifreeze.

 

I run a couple dehumidifiers anyway into jugs. They make distilled water.