Draining block for winter

B

bigblockmitch

Junior Member
I need to drain my block and radiator on my 1930 sport coupe for winter.
I am running straight water due to what I have read here about antifreeze attacking the babbit if it gets into the crank case due to a blown head gasket etc..
My question is---If I drain the petcock on the lower hose will that be sufficient? Thanks
 
I don't know how true it is, but I have heard {or read} that even though a guy drained his "A" radiator. There were pockets of water still left in the block. The water froze and caused damage. Sounds kind'a far fetched to me.:rolleyes:

Bob-A:D
 
it doesnt matter whether its anti freeze or water in the crank case, the babbit will be damaged, its not so much the anti freeze harming the babbit, its lack of oil being sent to the bearing, oil floats so the pump picks up the water first, run anti freeze for just this kind of problem of left over water in the block, also its a kind of lubricant for the water pump and an anti rust preventer
 
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I wouldn't chance draining the water solution. If you must I would run anti freeze for a while and then drain that and save it. If there were any pockets then it would be an anti freeze solution and not just water
 
After it's drained, then I'd run the engine at idle for a couple minutes with the radiator cap off to dry out the block, otherwise you'll have that moisture all winter long creating more rust.

I always use 50% antifreeze. Don't worry about it going into the oil. If that's a worry, then that's a seperate problem that needs to be fixed.
 
She is getting 50/50 thanks for the info.
I bought this car to cut up into a hot rod although after getting it running and driving it I love it and would never consider ever cutting up any Model A.
Always wondered why people are so passionate about these cars --now I know.
 
If you're not going to drive it all winter, add 1 gallon of denatured alcohol to two gallons of water and fill your system with that, then run the engine briefly to circulate it. That will protect it down to about 10 degrees F, and shouldn't evaporate over the winter. But check it from time to time anyway. I drive my cars all winter with that solution, but I do have to keep topping up with alcohol.
 
bigblockmitch said:
She is getting 50/50 thanks for the info.
I bought this car to cut up into a hot rod although after getting it running and driving it I love it and would never consider ever cutting up any Model A.
Always wondered why people are so passionate about these cars --now I know.
Click to expand...

I would like to shake your hand!!
 
FWIW; I recently obtained the Cabriolet in my avatar from my Dad. He restored it in 1984. It was nearly a (seasonal) daily driver for him for almost 30 years. In that time he always ran straight water. The winter prep was only draining the water from the petcock. Never had a problem.
 
I'm currently living in Minnesota. Since we have winters that are cold, I park my Model A in the Garage and during the cold months, run it at least once a month. I like to get the temp up to normal and have a good charge on the battery.

I keep a 50\50 mix of antifreeze\water year round. I see no reason to drain the block or for that matter gas tank for storage. Both stay topped off.

Iron exposed to air can rust and it seems that I wouldn't want any rust in the cooling system.

Marc
 
marc hildebrant said:
I'm currently living in Minnesota. Since we have winters that are cold, I park my Model A in the Garage and during the cold months, run it at least once a month. I like to get the temp up to normal and have a good charge on the battery.

I keep a 50\50 mix of antifreeze\water year round. I see no reason to drain the block or for that matter gas tank for storage. Both stay topped off.

Iron exposed to air can rust and it seems that I wouldn't want any rust in the cooling system.

Marc
Click to expand...

Car owners in locations that get deep freezes are all too familiar with the danger of straight water. Those who haven't experienced these freeze/thaw cycles haven't got a clue. Sometimes it dips to double digit below zero for a few days in a row. Sorry but that's the facts.
 
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