Siphon radiator to pull intake?

[Douglas C.]

Question. I have an electric pump with a hose, how best to siphon enough fluid to be able to pull BB intake? I'd rather not mess up my clamps and in general make a mess in my garage.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Siphon radiator to pull intake?

Why don't you just remove your radiator cap and open the petcock at the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolant into a catch pan? You just need to drain down to an approximate level below the heads. If you use a catch pan with a spout, it is easy to refill through your fill neck using a funnel.

Stu Fox

[Douglas C.]

Re: Siphon radiator to pull intake?

Why don't you just remove your radiator cap and open the petcock at the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolant into a catch pan? You just need to drain down to an approximate level below the heads. If you use a catch pan with a spout, it is easy to refill through your fill neck using a funnel.

Stu Fox

Well, yes Stu, I can do that. But I still think that makes a mess and I don't want to chance having the petcock leak as it may be tight.

Tks. Doug

[Clem Z.]

Re: Siphon radiator to pull intake?

Well, yes Stu, I can do that. But I still think that makes a mess and I don't want to chance having the petcock leak as it may be tight.

Tks. Doug

if the rad has side tanks yes you can just siphon out the coolant

[Stuart F.]

Re: Siphon radiator to pull intake?

Well it's your call. For me, I've gotten too many mouthfulls of gas and antifreeze back in the day to consider it a less messy method. I know, you now have something like a squeeze ball pump siphon of some sort, but still have to drain off enough coolant to get your level down low enough to do the job. One caution if you do end up draining it through the petcock; many Corvette petcocks are made of aluminum and almost always will break the handle loose before you can get it open. So, I always just use a hex wrench and remove the petcock as if it were just a drain plug. That way it still looks good after you are done.

Stu Fox

[Douglas C.]

Re: Siphon radiator to pull intake?

Well it's your call. For me, I've gotten too many mouthfulls of gas and antifreeze back in the day to consider it a less messy method. I know, you now have something like a squeeze ball pump siphon of some sort, but still have to drain off enough coolant to get your level down low enough to do the job. One caution if you do end up draining it through the petcock; many Corvette petcocks are made of aluminum and almost always will break the handle loose before you can get it open. So, I always just use a hex wrench and remove the petcock as if it were just a drain plug. That way it still looks good after you are done.

Stu Fox

Maybe I'm just getting lazy, but mine is a 69 and there is very little room to get to the petcock. I imagine is would be just my luck if I disturb it that it winds up leaking, and to pull the radiator in a 69 is a real job. I have an electric siphon pump to use.

Tks. Doug