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draining the cooling system

I want to drain the cooling system. The Haynes manual mentions two points from which to drain: from the radiator and from the engine block. I have not looked under the car yet, but I suppose I will find the drain fitting on the radiator easily. Where do I find the engine block drain plug? It's a V8 engine. Thanks!

draining the cooling system

Reply #1
um, just pull the lower radiator hose off.
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast


draining the cooling system

Reply #2
oh, and be sure to where flip-flops and drain it after you drove about an hour up and down the freeway.
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast


draining the cooling system

Reply #3
LOL


Flush it out good and re-fill with Zerex G05.  Its the same stuff as Motorcraft Gold.  GREAT coolant.
88 TC, Lots of Mods.


draining the cooling system

Reply #4
Quote from: 32VFoxBird;219054
oh, and be sure to where flip-flops and drain it after you drove about an hour up and down the freeway.


....at a constant 6500 RPM :burnout: :mullet: :hick:

The radiator drain is on the passenger side.  It faces in towards the motor.
On most 5.0 blocks the drains have allen heads.  I've never used them while in a car.....

What are you planning?
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

draining the cooling system

Reply #5
I took the air hose and blew air through the system til all the coolant was out. Through the radiator, and the lines going to the heater core. Flushed with the garden hose and such, more air, repeated a couple times. Its all good now. Wish I woulda had a couple gallons of vinegar to run through it all though to really get some of the crud out.
93 Festiva L, 193k miles, BP+T/G25MR swap, T3 50trim .48/.42, SRT FMIC, Capri electronics/Rocketchip, 2.5" exhaust
bests: ET 12.86, MPH 110.25, 1.92 short
02 Subaru Impreza WRX, 129k miles
97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 236k miles

draining the cooling system

Reply #6
I just dropped mine off at a radiator shop today.  The same shop restored my Dad's radiator he had in the '69 Mach.  When he got it back in, he had to go to a WARMER thermostat!  They're just cleaning mine, it's going to cost about $40.

draining the cooling system

Reply #7
Oh,I see now.When I read the title off this thread,I thought you needed to know how to go pee.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

draining the cooling system

Reply #8
Quote
What are you planning?


Drain, flush and refill it. Would it hurt to flush with tap water once it is drained? Some say you should flush with distilled water, which is better I guess, but would it make such a difference that I'd have to go out and buy myself 30 bottles of distilled water? :)

draining the cooling system

Reply #9
I used to actually go out and buy distilled.  I stopped a few years/changes ago.  No difference noticed.  BTW the passenger side drain will be much more accesible while the block is in the car as compared to the driver side.:burnout:
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

draining the cooling system

Reply #10
How are you gonna flush it?
93 Festiva L, 193k miles, BP+T/G25MR swap, T3 50trim .48/.42, SRT FMIC, Capri electronics/Rocketchip, 2.5" exhaust
bests: ET 12.86, MPH 110.25, 1.92 short
02 Subaru Impreza WRX, 129k miles
97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 236k miles

draining the cooling system

Reply #11
Quote from: thebruins;219030
Where do I find the engine block drain plug? It's a V8 engine. Thanks!

Quote from: V8Demon;219093
...On most 5.0 blocks the drains have allen heads...

But where are they?  Or where is it?
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Operation: X Marks the Spot
5.0L SEFI, AOD, 8.8" 3.02 TracLok - All Stock

 

draining the cooling system

Reply #12
If you look just in front of the motor mounts from underneath the car, you'll spot them.  The passenger side one is easily accesible while the driver side has a bit more stuff in the way (oil filter and oil pressure sending unit).
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

draining the cooling system

Reply #13
The rad in my 88 is disgusting. I need to drain and flush it. Once the car hits op temp. it sky rockets too. So I guesiing the crud removal and a new stat might help this?
1988 Cougar LS 5.0 (currently parting out):cougarsmily:
1989 Mustang LX Notch 2.3 (Project):ford:

draining the cooling system

Reply #14
Provided you don't have other issues.

It won't hurt ;)
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!