C1 water system

[Howard M.]

After draining the radiator for a system flush, how much water is left in the block of a standard 283 cu in. motor?
When refilling the radiator, how do you know when you've put in enough water/coolant mixture since the fill tube slants downward from the upper tank and the cap is above the upper tank? I suppose you can fill the radiator to overflow and let the excess dump overboard while driving but it seems there must be a better method.
Thanks

[Joe L.]

Re: C1 water system

After draining the radiator for a system flush, how much water is left in the block of a standard 283 cu in. motor?
When refilling the radiator, how do you know when you've put in enough water/coolant mixture since the fill tube slants downward from the upper tank and the cap is above the upper tank? I suppose you can fill the radiator to overflow and let the excess dump overboard while driving but it seems there must be a better method.
Thanks

Howard-----


Assuming your car has a heater, its coolant capacity is 16-1/2 quarts. You can expect that approximately 4-6 quarts will remain in block after draining at the radiator. This is why I always recommend that folks remove the block drains if it's possible. Often, though, the block drains will be "frozen solid".

Generally, I recommend that if one wishes to thoroughly flush all old coolant out of the block, get a Prestone Flush and Fill kit. Install the fitting in the heater hose as instructed in the kit. Flush until discharge is clear. Drain the radiator. Install 1/2 the system capacity with CONCENTRATED coolant. Fill to capacity with water. Done.

HOWEVER, late C1 Corvettes with top tank radiator may be one of the few applications this won't work with. It WILL work with other external tank Corvette radiators; I used it many times on my 1969.