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Topic: Radiator Drain Cock Removal

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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Radiator Drain Cock Removal

Posted: 7/4/06 8:37am Message 1 of 4
Sumrof69
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CORDOVA, TN - USA
Joined: 9/28/2002
Posts: 12
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow convertible, 4 sp, 350/350, hard top.

The drain cock handle on my 69 Vette aluminum radiator spins freely, which has prevented me from draining it. The radiator appears to be in good condition and the coolant is. I have worked on removing the drain cock gently with no success so far. When I purchased the car, the engine had been rebuilt but not much else. I am starting a complete rebuild and will be removing the radiator shortly. Two questions. Any suggestions on how to free the stop cock without damaging the radiator (I can do it with the radiator removed)? Second, it would be nice to have the radiator cleaned to the bare metal by a shop. Any experience with having this done on an aluminum radiator, and does anyone know of a good radiator shop within reasonable distance of Memphis, TN?




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Radiator Drain Cock Removal

Posted: 7/4/06 10:31am Message 2 of 4
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
If you are going to be taking the rad. to a rad. shop, they will be able to remove the pet-cock, and replace it with a working one. You must be vewy carefuwl trying to remove this, as sometimes, it can rip the fitting completely out of the rad.
If just the "butterfly" or "T" part of the drain is spinning on the drain, it can be soldered by a rad. shop.
I wouldn't recommend taking a rad to bare metal and leaving it like that. The black paint is there to help absorb some of the heat, and get it to the outside in the airflow. You can clean it to bare metal, but it should be repainted before using.


Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Radiator Drain Cock Removal

Posted: 7/4/06 11:27am Message 3 of 4
Sumrof69
Former Member
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CORDOVA, TN - USA
Joined: 9/28/2002
Posts: 12
Vette(s): 1969 Daytona Yellow convertible, 4 sp, 350/350, hard top.

Thanks for the response. I already have a new drain cock, but have not installed it because I didn’t want to damage the radiator removing the old one. I am getting radiator paint to repaint the radiator, but I really wanted to start with a clean radiator first so that I wouldn’t be just piling on more layers stuff. I had kind of assumed that if I had a shop clean the radiator, the cock would probably come right out. My only hesitation has been not wanting to hand my original radiator over to a shop that I know nothing about. I could go from a small problem that I can probably fix to having to buy a new radiator.

 

Jim




Radiator Drain Cock Removal

Posted: 7/4/06 12:08pm Message 4 of 4
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I know the feeling! I had to take mine to a shop to get the fitting re-soldered after I twisted it out of the tank! They did a good job, tho, and didn't screw it up!


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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