The Ford Barn

jwschweitzer · 05-17-2016, 11:34 AM

Hi folks! Posting here for a friend. He's putzing with a 1928 Model A. His question is: "Does any water still remain in the engine when you open the drain petcock? Does it fully drain?"

I believe he's contemplating winterizing procedures. We read some various opinions about fully draining the engine vs using antifreeze.

Thanks for your help!

Roadster Rich · 05-17-2016, 12:05 PM

I can't tell you that not a drop of water remains, but I can tell you I have done this in Vermont for close to 25 winters and never had an issue. Antifreeze might keep you from some flash rust, but not necessary to protect from freezing.

Brentwood Bob · 05-17-2016, 12:42 PM

When you open the petcock on a motor of unknown duration in storage and nothing comes out stick a wire up to open any bridging from rust.
The voice of experience has spoken.
Bob

Fullraceflathead · 05-17-2016, 01:04 PM

If it's full before draining you should see 3 gallons of water drain out. I would pay attention to the possibility of the drain plugging up from rust and not draining completely.

Utopia Texas · 05-17-2016, 01:07 PM

I would use a antifreeze solution no matter what the weather. Engines this old
Need all the rust protection they can get. I've cleaned out 8 Model A blocks over the years and two were so thin due to rust that a pressure washer blew holes through the metal and made them useless.

C26Pinelake · 05-17-2016, 02:06 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I watched a person repairing a cracked block a month ago who also advocated that antifreeze was not necessary. You save a little if you are right but you spend a lot if you are wrong. Spend the few bucks. Wayne

Glenn C. · 05-17-2016, 10:05 PM

Don't forget the Model A engine tilts backwards from horizontal. Therefore not all water will drain out. Each time you drain straight water that you have been using as a coolant, you are encouraging another layer of rust, impeding cooling for the next season. 50/50 mix is the best.

700rpm · 05-17-2016, 10:11 PM

I use two Tbs of soluble oil with 3 gallons regular water for summers and change out one gallon of denatured alcohol for winter driving, which keeps my system unrusted and safe in Oregon winters. If I'm feeling nervous or a car is sitting for a while (month or more) I also add a pint of rust preventative.

05-17-2016, 11:34 AM	#1
jwschweitzer Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 1	Draining water from 1928 Model A Hi folks! Posting here for a friend. He's putzing with a 1928 Model A. His question is: "Does any water still remain in the engine when you open the drain petcock? Does it fully drain?" I believe he's contemplating winterizing procedures. We read some various opinions about fully draining the engine vs using antifreeze. Thanks for your help!

05-17-2016, 12:05 PM	#2
Roadster Rich Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia (Atlanta) Posts: 272	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A I can't tell you that not a drop of water remains, but I can tell you I have done this in Vermont for close to 25 winters and never had an issue. Antifreeze might keep you from some flash rust, but not necessary to protect from freezing.

05-17-2016, 12:42 PM	#3
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,420	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A When you open the petcock on a motor of unknown duration in storage and nothing comes out stick a wire up to open any bridging from rust. The voice of experience has spoken. Bob

05-17-2016, 01:04 PM	#4
Fullraceflathead Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chillicothe, Missouri Posts: 1,684	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A If it's full before draining you should see 3 gallons of water drain out. I would pay attention to the possibility of the drain plugging up from rust and not draining completely. __________________ "If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask

05-17-2016, 01:07 PM	#5
Utopia Texas Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Brookshire & Cat Spring,Texas Posts: 222	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A I would use a antifreeze solution no matter what the weather. Engines this old Need all the rust protection they can get. I've cleaned out 8 Model A blocks over the years and two were so thin due to rust that a pressure washer blew holes through the metal and made them useless.

05-17-2016, 02:06 PM	#6
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I watched a person repairing a cracked block a month ago who also advocated that antifreeze was not necessary. You save a little if you are right but you spend a lot if you are wrong. Spend the few bucks. Wayne

05-17-2016, 10:05 PM	#7
Glenn C. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Didsbury Alberta Posts: 838	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A Don't forget the Model A engine tilts backwards from horizontal. Therefore not all water will drain out. Each time you drain straight water that you have been using as a coolant, you are encouraging another layer of rust, impeding cooling for the next season. 50/50 mix is the best.

05-17-2016, 10:11 PM	#8
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Draining water from 1928 Model A I use two Tbs of soluble oil with 3 gallons regular water for summers and change out one gallon of denatured alcohol for winter driving, which keeps my system unrusted and safe in Oregon winters. If I'm feeling nervous or a car is sitting for a while (month or more) I also add a pint of rust preventative. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.