Add coolant drain valve on Crossflow block?

[mont7]

I’m thinking of replacing the drain plug on the left side of the Crossflow block with a valve, making it easier and less messy to fully drain the engine.

Primarily concerned about it vibrating open, and plan on safety wiring it closed.

Good idea, bad idea, experience?

Thanks.

Steve

[Lotus7]

I’m thinking of replacing the drain plug on the left side of the Crossflow block with a valve, making it easier and less messy to fully drain the engine.

Primarily concerned about it vibrating open, and plan on safety wiring it closed.

Good idea, bad idea, experience?

Thanks.

Steve

Presume you mean the oil gallery drain?
If so, given how infrequently it's used, why risk adding in a potential failure item?
YMMV

[teamwisconsin]

Rather than take the risk of a petcock, what I’ve done for years and zillions of Ford blocks:

I have a 1/4” npt-to-5/16” hose barb fitting with a 3’ long 5/16” ID hose attached to it and a 5/16” bolt stuck in the end. Leave the radiator cap on the system (so it holds the water in), put a towel down under the drain plug area. Then remove the drain plug, using the Dutch boy in the dike trick to block the hole until you can thread the drain hose ass’y into it. If you do this quickly, you will only spill a few drops of water, which will go right onto your towel. Once you’ve got your drain hose in place, pull the bolt out of the end of the hose and THEN pull the radiator cap off. It will drain the block in a minute or two and no mess is made.

hopefully this rather wordy description of a fairly simple procedure makes sense…

[Hawke]

If you are just wanting to drop the water to change the head, I use a 5’ length of 5/16 hose, dropped into the header tank, and then siphon the coolant. Works a treat, and mess free.

[mont7]

Ethan - once I realized you left the plug in in place, and then swapped the plug for the hose barb and plugged hose while leaving the radiator cap on, I got it.

Makes sense, and less risky.

I’m going to lose my heated garage, so may have to go back to putting anti freeze in during the winter, then drain and replace with water for the race season. So being able to easily get as much out as possible is my goal.