Ford27 Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 With the freezing temps this week I was wondering if draining the water from the race car was enough and I'm thinking it still leaves too much in the block so antifreeze is the way to go. Any thoughts cause my buddy says drain radiator pull waterpump hose turn over for about 30 sec. to empty the block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumper Posted January 31, 2011 Report Share Posted January 31, 2011 You can pull the block plugs as well.Be sure to pull both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HiTech Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 did what gb said to do aswell as turn the motor and pull the hose ..didnt get all that water out of the block that way .still busted it right ubove the pan seam ....so jack it up and tilt it ..that helps .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fast18 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I don't have my motor in yet but if I did I would load it up with antifreeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC57 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I don't have my motor in yet but if I did I would load it up with antifreeze. Same here. Then once the "winter passes", drain it out, flush it, and refill with distilled, etc. I don't consider it a "waste" to spend $10 on a bottle of antifreeze just to insure I don't bust a block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck99 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I've never felt like I could get all of the water out of the block, so we put the truck on jack stands, cover the top of the motor with a thick blanket, and put a couple of halogen lights under the motor on the ground. The lights make quite a bit of heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 Chase hit the nail right on the head with that answer. That's what we would do up in Maine where the night temps would often be well below freezing early in the season or late in the season. We used to use two 100 watt bulbs directly under the oil pan, put old pillows, blankets, etc around the edges of the car to keep the cold air out and the hot air in and then cover the whole thing with a thick tarp. Never froze a block that way. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooliganz Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 or just let it run all night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancer52 Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 I always just use a shop vac. suck out anything left.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houston Motorsports Park Posted February 1, 2011 Report Share Posted February 1, 2011 As someone who has a hot rod in the garage that never gets driven and is on jack stands most of its life, I have always just plugged a halogen shop light and slid it under car shining up at pan. Only have water with no antifreeze and never had a problem. If you have ever accidentally brushed some skin up against one of those halogen lamps, you know they put out some heat. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBSF Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Nick, you needed the lights to keep the antifreeze from freezing in Maine! If you have a foam fire system, you better check it out before you need it. Parts of it may have frozen and split. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickHolt Posted February 3, 2011 Report Share Posted February 3, 2011 Nick, you needed the lights to keep the antifreeze from freezing in Maine!... I had a '57 Chevy up in Maine before I got drafted (1966) and the water/antifreeze mixture would frequently be almost slush after sitting out all night in sub zero temperatures. Never popped a freeze plug or cracked a block, but I'm sure I was just lucky. Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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