How many petcocks in a block?

**oneputtster** · 10-22-2009, 05:39 AM

Under my 352 there is a drain that works just like the petcock in a radiator, but it is on the block, driver's side. I like it, but I'm wondering how many there are?

**Rich27028** · 10-22-2009, 06:37 AM

none -- btw sombody added it --their not factory installed--

**64Ragtop** · 10-22-2009, 06:57 AM

Never seen one on a block. Must of been added to drain the water when in storage in a cold state.IMO!

**FEandGoingBroke** · 10-22-2009, 07:06 AM

I've had them on several engines, and I personally add them to my rebuilds to ease water drainage for swapping head gaskets and intakes.

**coosbaylumber** · 10-22-2009, 07:55 AM

On my big engines, there were two. A sort of brass 3/8" pipe thread plug, one each side, near to engine mount.

These were not easy to remove either. No leaks once out, as the block goo tended to settle there. Ran a wire inside the the dark water and then the rust flowed out.

We discussed methods to remove a good year ago here. I think 406 headed it all off.

Wm.

**Rich27028** · 10-22-2009, 08:24 AM

the plugs are there --but the petcocks he ask about was never a factory feature-- some one put them in later

**ShotRod64** · 10-22-2009, 10:07 AM

I never let my pets play under the hood... as for those plugs, there is one on each side. A petcock would be a good addition though if there a person did mostly highway driving. I'm not so sure i'd want them on a car spends a lot of time on gravel roads like mine used to.

**oneputtster** · 10-23-2009, 05:25 AM

Thanks all for the responses. I've had the radiator rodded sp this seems like a good time to be thorough with the block water. I'll look on the pasenger side for another one.

**Rich27028** · 10-23-2009, 07:01 AM

it would do you better if you had it back flushed [ the block]-- its a connection that uses water and air pressure to blow all the old core sand and crud out of the block-it is done with the engine right in the car-- takes about half an hour- and any radiator shop can do it -- - my suggestion - unhook the hoses going to the heator core-- they dont like that high pressure-- - -it will keep you clean rodded radiator clean- and it will most defnatly run cooler--

for your info- i at one time owned a radiator shop- i just heard that my old radiator man had died -- heart attact--stop smokeing it will kill ya -

**FEandGoingBroke** · 10-23-2009, 07:37 AM

Heater core can handle more pressure than the radiator. But if it's as old as the car, I backup Rich about taking it out of the equation...