Crahm

Guys,
I'm pulling the old heads off the 427 and have a few odd questions.
First, my radiator doesn't have drain **** or plug, so I'm trying to drain the coolant by breaking the bottom hose at the radiator. I've removed about 2.5 gallons. What is the coolant capacity?

When i removed the lower head bolts, about a pint of coolant came out the head bolt hole.??? Normal? Or do I not have enough coolant out of the system?

Suggestion to break the head loose from the block?

Thanks!

toobroketoretire

There are 1/4" NPT block drains in the center of the block on each side just above the oil pan rail. Pull those 2 plugs out and almost all of the coolant will drain out. About 4 gallons or so.

BKbroiler

Big blocks, I think like small blocks, have coolant drain plugs on the sides of the block, just above the oil pan. Pull those out and drain all the coolant.
To pry the heads loose after you unbolt them, stick a breaker bar in an intake port and pry it off. Make sure you have ALL the head bolts out.

toobroketoretire

The 1/4" NPT OEM drain plugs are steel and will get REAL rusted so its best to replace them with brass plugs.

REELAV8R

When I remove my heads the drain plugs on the block are blocked by the stock wire loom brackets. So I don't pull them.
After draining the rad and block via the bottom radiator hose you can take out one of the lower head bolts and any remaining water above that level will drain out that bolt hole. Then the rest of them should be water free.
If you want to drain the rest then you can using the block plug, if it's not rusted in too hard.

Crahm

Thanks guys!
I have the driver's side head removed now.
Worn out.
Tomorrow, some more work.

7T1vette

When working alone, I like to put a couple of threaded dowels in end bolt locations before I pry the head loose. With no bolts (or dowels) in the head, pry a bit too much and the head takes a tumble.