[1974] Changed rad, drain problem
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
[1974] Changed rad, drain problem
I swapped my leaky rad for a Dewitts + electric fan.
Install was smooth, as expected, only problem I have encountered is the petcock valve. The "wings" hit the lower rad mount and I can't open or close it.
I double checked the install, to make sure I didn't install it too far to one side, but there really isn't much room for error.
Has any one else come across this issue?
Install was smooth, as expected, only problem I have encountered is the petcock valve. The "wings" hit the lower rad mount and I can't open or close it.
I double checked the install, to make sure I didn't install it too far to one side, but there really isn't much room for error.
Has any one else come across this issue?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
Yup... I have the 27" core dewitts in my 69 so my radiator is real wide. Had the same issue with my 27" copper radiator and the monstrous shroud that thing had.
There is no way of getting in there and opening or closing the petcock valve. I noticed this before I put it in and just made sure it was tight.
What I do is use this little $40 pump with two barbed hose ends and some clear hose on each end. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=9576
I feed the hose down to the bottom of the radiator and then hook the pump to the battery and it empties the radiator out in less than a couple of minutes. Jack up the rear of the car to get more out from the block so you don't have annoying leaks.
You stand less of a chance of damaging the drain valve this way. Plus I have found it to be much cleaner to drain the system this way.
There is no way of getting in there and opening or closing the petcock valve. I noticed this before I put it in and just made sure it was tight.
What I do is use this little $40 pump with two barbed hose ends and some clear hose on each end. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=9576
I feed the hose down to the bottom of the radiator and then hook the pump to the battery and it empties the radiator out in less than a couple of minutes. Jack up the rear of the car to get more out from the block so you don't have annoying leaks.
You stand less of a chance of damaging the drain valve this way. Plus I have found it to be much cleaner to drain the system this way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
I got the dewitts direct fit with electric fans.
I forgot to mention that my 69 has some later model parts in it (not by my doing). My radiator support seems to be from a 73 so that's why I had to get the 27" core and it does not have a surge tank. My radiator has a cap on it.
So I am probably a poor candidate for an apples to apples switch as my car has some non conforming parts for its year. So that is most likely why I have issues with the drain valve. This is my first C3 so I don't have any previous experience to speak from.
Dewitts stuff seems to be the best out there. Everyone swears by them. How does the new radiator compare to the old one you took out? You maybe facing an issue like me where some bubba put in parts from a different year and you ordered parts correct for your year and now have mismatching stuff for whats pre-existing in your car?
When I could not find a 27" core for the 69 with a cap I knew something was up so I talked to them directly and they confirmed I had a later model radiator support and radiator.
I do love the dewitts setup though.
I forgot to mention that my 69 has some later model parts in it (not by my doing). My radiator support seems to be from a 73 so that's why I had to get the 27" core and it does not have a surge tank. My radiator has a cap on it.
So I am probably a poor candidate for an apples to apples switch as my car has some non conforming parts for its year. So that is most likely why I have issues with the drain valve. This is my first C3 so I don't have any previous experience to speak from.
Dewitts stuff seems to be the best out there. Everyone swears by them. How does the new radiator compare to the old one you took out? You maybe facing an issue like me where some bubba put in parts from a different year and you ordered parts correct for your year and now have mismatching stuff for whats pre-existing in your car?
When I could not find a 27" core for the 69 with a cap I knew something was up so I talked to them directly and they confirmed I had a later model radiator support and radiator.
I do love the dewitts setup though.
Thread Starter
Holley HP EFI w/TPI
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Kanata ON
I'll have to check my old one vs the new one, doubt they are original, but I have no reason to believe they aren't 74 parts.
My old rad has a cap, so does the Dewitts.
I'm happy with the Dewitts rad/fan etc, just perplexed why I can't open/clsoe the petcock and looking for a solution/root cause
My old rad has a cap, so does the Dewitts.
I'm happy with the Dewitts rad/fan etc, just perplexed why I can't open/clsoe the petcock and looking for a solution/root cause
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Years ago, I installed a 90 degree street ell in the petcock boss and installed the petcock into the street ell. This moved the petcock out from between the rad and crossmember and keeps the coolant from running all over the front end when I do drain the rad. I have an aluminum SB rad without a cap.
Last edited by c69vete; Nov 18, 2009 at 08:47 AM.
