newbee - 36 Pickup radiator mod question

[david.skinner]

Good idea on the magnet. thanks for this.

So draining the cooling system is not as easy as it sounds. Getting the lower radiator hoses off is non trivial. There does appear to be brass plugs under the water pumps but they have very little clearance from the front axle/strut thingy and are difficult to get to. I'm keen to be able to change the coolant every couple of years without major engineering. Thoughts?

Graeme - looking forward to meeting - will likely be at the rod show in the Hutt tomorrow. D,

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by david.skinner

Good idea on the magnet. thanks for this.

So draining the cooling system is not as easy as it sounds. Getting the lower radiator hoses off is non trivial. There does appear to be brass plugs under the water pumps but they have very little clearance from the front axle/strut thingy and are difficult to get to. I'm keen to be able to change the coolant every couple of years without major engineering. Thoughts?

Graeme - looking forward to meeting - will likely be at the rod show in the Hutt tomorrow. D,

Yes I'm looking at going there. I won't have my car as I'm still in the process of getting it complied. I find the best way to get the bottom hose off is to undo both clips and wiggle the hose like hell, eventually you will get it to a position when you can move one end off either the pump or the rad. Easy trick for putting them back on is to boil the jug and to pour the water into an ice cream container and soak the hoses for a few minutes, this makes them easier to bend so you can get the ends back on.

GB