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Topic: 454 Cooling System Capacity

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


454 Cooling System Capacity

Posted: 9/19/04 4:26pm Message 1 of 5
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Houston, TX - USA
Joined: 2/25/2003
Posts: 193
Vette(s): 1971 LS5 Convertible 4 sp
This is about a 1971 LS5 (454 ci) cooling system.
The owner manual says the capacity is 23 qts.
I have flushed the system several times, through the lowest point I could find: The fitting just below the lower connection point of the radiator (bottom right).
The most I get out of the system, and therefore the most I could get back into it was approximatley 3 gallons (12 qts. |headscratch|
Any idea about this ? Any experience with a similar engine ?


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454 Cooling System Capacity

Posted: 9/19/04 6:59pm Message 2 of 5
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sussex, NJ - USA
Joined: 11/15/2002
Posts: 299
Vette(s): 1969 L71 riverside gold convertible on frame restoration numbers matching motor 4:11 factory rear 4speed with hooker side pipes
remove the drain plugs on each side of the block about halfway back on the lower edge near the oil pan. Remove the bottom radiator hose if there is no radiator drain plug. flush well.


454 Cooling System Capacity

Posted: 9/20/04 1:21pm Message 3 of 5
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
you wont get all the water out with the engine level

I lost a bunch of water when I disconnected the everything for the frame off.. then more when i moved it 7 miles, more when I moved the frame back, more when i disconnected the transmission and even more when i had it on the engine stand and turned it over...

it does hold quite a bit of water.. almost 6 gallons sounds about right.


454 Cooling System Capacity

Posted: 9/20/04 1:23pm Message 4 of 5
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3236
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans
Something else you can do to get the water out... use an air compressor... pick a point of your engine to release the water and then another place to add the pressure


454 Cooling System Capacity

Posted: 9/21/04 1:55pm Message 5 of 5
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Portland, TN - USA
Joined: 4/29/2003
Posts: 805
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe Anything, but Stock and more mods to come! SSBC Force 10 Brakes, 3.73, TH350, 355 CID, Rack and Pinion, Vette Brakes suspension front and rear.
Don't forget the capacity of the header core and heater hoses. I dropped a buch out of these long hoses when removing my engine.


in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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