Radiator pedcock - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72LB · 08-31-2018, 05:08 PM

Bought a 4 core radiator a few months back and it had one of those plastic drain plugs in it, today I noticed it weeping. Can these plastic plugs be changed to a regular brass type, has anyone done it?

bill3rail · 08-31-2018, 05:30 PM

Someone will correct me if I am wrong but I believe those are not permanent and just used to keep the inside clean. Replace immediately upon purchase.

Bill

72LB · 08-31-2018, 05:56 PM

It has the wingnut design and will come out a little to drain like the newer vehicles as long as you aim it.

**Steeveedee** · 08-31-2018, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill3rail

Someone will correct me if I am wrong but I believe those are not permanent and just used to keep the inside clean. Replace immediately upon purchase.

Bill

I have one of those in the radiator I have in my truck. It's been in there for 14 years. It's a royal pain to get at, so fortunately mine doesn't leak. If it is supposed to be temporary, I did not know that.

72LB · 08-31-2018, 06:37 PM

Not the best pic but I don't think this is a temporary plug. Had to drain some of the antifreeze after I put the radiator in and ya better unscrew it quick and get it aimed down because it only has one hole on the side.

**Steeveedee** · 08-31-2018, 08:26 PM

Yup, that's what I have. It's a lame design. It has cheepniss (any Zappa fans around here?) written all over it.

**Fbks_Cruiser** · 08-31-2018, 08:35 PM

Some of those had o-rings in them . If this one doesn’t, bring the plug to your local auto parts store. See if you can find a oil drain plug gasket/washer that will fit it.

bill3rail · 08-31-2018, 08:35 PM

No definitive comments yet but I would install a brass petcock in it.

Bill

72LB · 08-31-2018, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill3rail

No definitive comments yet but I would install a brass petcock in it.

Bill

That's what I'd like to do just wanted to find out if anyone has done one like this before I go draining the radiator.

**Steeveedee** · 08-31-2018, 11:04 PM

I also had one in my '68 Skylark hot rod. You have to keep turning it, like Bill said, to get it to line up so that it is pointing down. While you are doing that, it's going to spew coolant everywhere. Not too high up, of course, but there is going to be coolant everywhere. I usually siphon repeatedly to clean the cooling system on my truck, or just pull the lower hose. That plastic petcock is really an annoyance.

brown7373 · 09-01-2018, 09:23 AM

All or most of the repop companies. For instance, Classic Industries K0085 brass petcock 1962-2008, and probably most of the parts stores too.

SJLenz1340 · 09-01-2018, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Yup, that's what I have. It's a lame design. It has cheepniss (any Zappa fans around here?) written all over it.

Like the visible strings?

72LB · 09-01-2018, 04:05 PM

Walked in to the shop this morning to a small puddle on the floor where the drain was so had no choice and replaced it. Funny thing was when I took it out it had a plastic stringer that went in the radiator so you can't lose it. Went to three parts places before I found one and it was chrome plated.

**Steeveedee** · 09-01-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJLenz1340

Like the visible strings?

And the 2 X 4 that the monster is mounted on. Funny stuff!

08-31-2018, 05:08 PM	#1
72LB Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC Posts: 420	Radiator pedcock Bought a 4 core radiator a few months back and it had one of those plastic drain plugs in it, today I noticed it weeping. Can these plastic plugs be changed to a regular brass type, has anyone done it? __________________ 1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club.

08-31-2018, 05:30 PM	#2
bill3rail Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: LI, NY 11801 Posts: 1,140	Re: Radiator pedcock Someone will correct me if I am wrong but I believe those are not permanent and just used to keep the inside clean. Replace immediately upon purchase. Bill __________________ 1970 C10 8' Fleetside, L6 250, 3 on the Tree. The most basic of pickup trucks!

08-31-2018, 05:56 PM	#3
72LB Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC Posts: 420	Re: Radiator pedcock It has the wingnut design and will come out a little to drain like the newer vehicles as long as you aim it. __________________ 1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club.

08-31-2018, 06:37 PM	#5
72LB Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC Posts: 420	Re: Radiator pedcock Not the best pic but I don't think this is a temporary plug. Had to drain some of the antifreeze after I put the radiator in and ya better unscrew it quick and get it aimed down because it only has one hole on the side. Attached Images __________________ 1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club.

08-31-2018, 08:26 PM	#6
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,108	Re: Radiator pedcock Yup, that's what I have. It's a lame design. It has cheepniss (any Zappa fans around here?) written all over it. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

08-31-2018, 08:35 PM	#7
Fbks_Cruiser Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 329	Re: Radiator pedcock Some of those had o-rings in them . If this one doesn’t, bring the plug to your local auto parts store. See if you can find a oil drain plug gasket/washer that will fit it. __________________ 1972 GMC K2500 Super Custom Matt

08-31-2018, 08:35 PM	#8
bill3rail Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: LI, NY 11801 Posts: 1,140	Re: Radiator pedcock No definitive comments yet but I would install a brass petcock in it. Bill __________________ 1970 C10 8' Fleetside, L6 250, 3 on the Tree. The most basic of pickup trucks!

08-31-2018, 11:04 PM	#10
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,108	Re: Radiator pedcock I also had one in my '68 Skylark hot rod. You have to keep turning it, like Bill said, to get it to line up so that it is pointing down. While you are doing that, it's going to spew coolant everywhere. Not too high up, of course, but there is going to be coolant everywhere. I usually siphon repeatedly to clean the cooling system on my truck, or just pull the lower hose. That plastic petcock is really an annoyance. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

09-01-2018, 09:23 AM	#11
brown7373 Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fort Pierce, FL Posts: 430	Re: Radiator pedcock All or most of the repop companies. For instance, Classic Industries K0085 brass petcock 1962-2008, and probably most of the parts stores too.

09-01-2018, 04:05 PM	#13
72LB Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Inman/Boiling Springs, SC Posts: 420	Re: Radiator pedcock Walked in to the shop this morning to a small puddle on the floor where the drain was so had no choice and replaced it. Funny thing was when I took it out it had a plastic stringer that went in the radiator so you can't lose it. Went to three parts places before I found one and it was chrome plated. Attached Images __________________ 1985 C10 shortbed, current project. Member of the Upstate SC GM Truck Club.



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