Remaining water in block after draining?

[36tudordeluxe]

After draining water completely from radiator is there any significant water remaining in the block that could freeze and cause the block to crack. Am asking because am shipping an engine to Canada and the buyer is understandably concerned about the block cracking.

[FlatheadTed]

I would say yes others may comment ,tip the motor on its nose to drain it ,Ted

[Jack E/NJ]

Yes, remove the pipe plugs near the base of the pumps if you can't tip it like Ted says. Jack E/NJ

[36tudordeluxe]

Would pouring straight anti-freeze through the water pumps prevent whatever water remains in the block from freezing?
Engine is on a pallet ready to ship, tipping it 90° is not really an option now.

[petehoovie]

If the engine is strapped to the pallet, I would think that it would be easier to tip as an assembly....

[tubman]

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I have my new engine on my test stand and had straight water with a rust inhibitor in it. I finally got a set of "big bore" gaskets, so I drained the engine and installed them. Since winter was approaching, I decided to leave it "dry". I too, was concerned about residual water, so I put my floor jack under the back of the stand and raised it as high as I dared (about 2 feet). I was surprised at how little water came out. I would still pour a little antifreeze in to make sure, though.

[Jack E/NJ]

That little bit of water left in there is probably how some pan rail cracks happen. Jack E/NJ

[FlatheadTed]

I agree ,the anty freeze should do it though

[36tudordeluxe]

Thanks everyone for responding, I've added 1/2 gallon of straight anti-freeze to the block.

[Kerk]

Originally Posted by 36tudordeluxe

Thanks everyone for responding, I've added 1/2 gallon of straight anti-freeze to the block.

I HOPE you dded some to each side as the water jacket is divided into (2) sides...Just tipping it on the pallet should drain what little may be left in it. Just a suggestion. Kerk

[36tudordeluxe]

Originally Posted by Kerk

I HOPE you dded some to each side as the water jacket is divided into (2) sides...Just tipping it on the pallet should drain what little may be left in it. Just a suggestion. Kerk

Yes, I added to both sides.

[Crankster]

Also keep in mind straight antifreeze freezes at around +25° F

Mixing with water depresses the freeze point, a 50/50 mix for example is good to -34° F below 0

[Bulligen]

you are in good shape now , no worries !!

[36tudordeluxe]

Originally Posted by Crankster

Also keep in mind straight antifreeze freezes at around +25° F

Mixing with water depresses the freeze point, a 50/50 mix for example is good to -34° F below 0

will add some water, didn't know that!

[tubman]

Originally Posted by Crankster

Also keep in mind straight antifreeze freezes at around +25° F

Mixing with water depresses the freeze point, a 50/50 mix for example is good to -34° F below 0

This didn't seem right to me, so I googled it. Here's what I found : "The first and perhaps most important reason is that pure ethylene glycol freezes between 0 degrees and minus-5 degrees F. It is only when pure antifreeze-coolant is mixed with water that its freezing point is lowered."

No attribution, but it just sounds "righter" to me.

(EDIT : Checked a couple of other places that say around 9 degrees F; still probably good enough.)

[Crankster]

Different charts say different things, (depends who ya ask, I guess) but all agree it will freeze well above 0° F

The important thing here is to understand is that "antifreeze" requires mixing with water in order to provide any kind of significant freeze protection. I can't tell you how many people I've talked to are gobsmacked by this. "Do what!??"

[Lanny]

I left a New gallon of anti-freeze out in my pickup last year, and
it got a little below zero that night. The anti-freeze gelled up but
did not freeze solid.
It would probly be tough for water pump impeller to rotate in the gel tho.








.

[JSeery]

Pretty sure only water expands as it freezes, so even if the antifreeze was to freeze it should not do the damage water would.

[FlatheadTed]

I know some one who put straight anty freeze in a Jag and it worked its way through the gaskets , yours will mix with the remaining water in there ,? I would add some to be sure .

[Crankster]

Another common misconception is that water needs to be in a confined space to cause damage when freezing. Not so. Even though there may be room for ice to expand vertically, it will exert tremendous force horizontally. A great many blocks have been (more or less) ruined by a relatively small amount of water or unseasonable cold snap. Owners ended up (more or less) inconsoleable, too. Don't get me started on "Freeze Plugs".