72 BB radiator

[Randall K.]

Getting ready to change coolant in my '72, and found that the radiator stopcock was installed (bubba...) as shown - valve handle not facing the access opening. Question is - should I try to turn the stopcock body 180 degrees to access the valve handle, or disconnect hoses for the drain/flush? Second question is how? Loosen the nut, and then try turning the valve body?

The last coolant flush was done by a local Chevy dealer - don't know if they're the ones that did this, or if they flushed it some other way.

Attached picture was taken looking forward underneath the car.

Thanks
Randy

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 BB radiator

Don't turn the right angle fitting unless you are prepared to remove the radiator for repair.

That fitting shown in your picture should not have a petcock (I wonder if the nannies will delete that word?) in it. The original stopper was a plug with a hex head.

Remove the lower radiator hose -- if you can to drain and flush the system. Save the repairs to the drain until you have to remove the radiator for some other reason.

[Randall K.]

Re: 72 BB radiator

Thanks for the advice. I'm assuming that this isn't the original radiator - it looks too good - plus I'm fairly far down the ownership chain.

I can't quite get my fingertips behind the square block to feel for a petcock, but I'll resist the temptation to try to move it. I'm not one to ask for problems...

Why would someone sell (never mind install!!) a radiator with a plug you can't remove??

Randy

[Chris F.]

Re: 72 BB radiator

They probably weren't the ones who did it, sometime before.
I'm in this dilemma at the moment with a small leak in the lower part of my radiator on a "72 BB A/T. Intend pulling the radiator and having it professionally fixed but thought if it was unrepairable it would be nice to have a replacement on hand. Took advantage of the sale by Tom DeWitt on the Corvette Forum and a new core is a little over 300 bucks. The issue is shipping to Australia 200, agents fees 100, duties and taxes 200. It hasn't arrived yet so there there is still some pain to come in the hip pocket.

[Randall K.]

Re: 72 BB radiator

I didn't mean to tarnish the Chevy service guys. I was really wondering about who would sell or install a radiator in this manner...

Good luck with your radiator. You need a risk-taking friend in the US to send you a shipment of "humanitarian supplies". ;>)