Changing/Draining Intake
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Changing/Draining Intake
Hi - I want to change my intake but my block plugs are frozen/stripped. I don't want to mess with them anymore.
What are the other ways that I can drain the intake/block so that I don't dump coolant everywhere when I pull the intake?
What are the other ways that I can drain the intake/block so that I don't dump coolant everywhere when I pull the intake?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
In the past I have lowered the coolant level enough to change intakes by draining the radiator. You should be able to get the level low enough it drops below the where cylinder head coolant passages meet the intake. I've done it that way 3 or 4 times.
Have also used a shop vac to drain it from the top - I rigged up a rubber tube that extended down into the rad from the top (before I had my lift and I was too lazy to crawl underneath). Assuming you are replacing not reusing the old coolant.
Have also used a shop vac to drain it from the top - I rigged up a rubber tube that extended down into the rad from the top (before I had my lift and I was too lazy to crawl underneath). Assuming you are replacing not reusing the old coolant.
Last edited by cooper9811; Jan 24, 2016 at 05:53 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,428
Likes: 124
In the past I have lowered the coolant level enough to change intakes by draining the radiator. You should be able to get the level low enough it drops below the where cylinder head coolant passages meet the intake. I've done it that way 3 or 4 times.
Have also used a shop vac to drain it from the top - I rigged up a rubber tube that extended down into the rad from the top (before I had my lift and I was too lazy to crawl underneath). Assuming you are replacing not reusing the old coolant.
Have also used a shop vac to drain it from the top - I rigged up a rubber tube that extended down into the rad from the top (before I had my lift and I was too lazy to crawl underneath). Assuming you are replacing not reusing the old coolant.
Last edited by centuryoldracer; Jan 24, 2016 at 06:04 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Agree - Only reason I lean towards a shop vac is because (if you have one) there is no need to deal with the nasty aftertaste. I siphoned many a gallon of gas from mowers or tractors to use in my old Monte Carlo as a kid.....
Of course we are talking about coolant not gas, but I'm still not fond of the taste.
Of course we are talking about coolant not gas, but I'm still not fond of the taste.
Last edited by cooper9811; Jan 26, 2016 at 11:23 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Trade secret: Use clear tubing and pinch it off or seal it with your thumb BEFORE it gets to your mouth. 
You only have to get fluid in the tube dropped lower than the fluid level in the 'container' to start syphon flow.
You only have to get fluid in the tube dropped lower than the fluid level in the 'container' to start syphon flow.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Jan 27, 2016 at 11:56 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Yeah, I know that - still didn't keep me from occasionally getting a taste.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 249
Likes: 32
From: Cypress TX
The trick I used as a kid was seal the hose to the tank fill with your hand and a rag, then blow into the tank to pressurize it. Then quickly remove your face and the pressure will start the siphon.
For this endeavor, pull the heater hose, stick it in a jug, and carefully put pressure to the system with a air compressor. Then you can simply put the same antifreeze back in the car when you're done. If you don't have an extra piece of hose, pull it off the top if the manifold and put it into the jug and blow into the intake with the heater valve open if you have one.
For this endeavor, pull the heater hose, stick it in a jug, and carefully put pressure to the system with a air compressor. Then you can simply put the same antifreeze back in the car when you're done. If you don't have an extra piece of hose, pull it off the top if the manifold and put it into the jug and blow into the intake with the heater valve open if you have one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
I just put a 5-gallon bucket on the ground and siphon the coolant into the bucket using a 5 foot 3/8" hose. It only takes about 5 minutes to lower the coolant level to below the water pump.