SBC Block Coolant Capacity?

[HammerDown]

Need to know how much the SBC 'block holds' > not the entire system.
I use to know, but forgot.
Almost six years on my coolant, the block grains are frozen and I'm not going to fock with them.

I'll run a radiator flush, drain, back-flush the system until clear...but...the block will then be full of water and I need to know how much 'uncut' antifreeze I'll need to add back to get a 50/50 mix.

 

[hotmtrsports]

Why don't you put a gallon of pure antifreeze in it (it will take at least all of that...start the car for a bit to mix. Then measure the antifreeze adding more until you get the right 50/50.

Now's your chance to also change the radiator petcock. It's inexpensive and a wise "while your there".

Chuck M

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

but...the block will then be full of water

No it won't.

 

[HammerDown]

No it won't.

True, I wasn't thinking...the block will only have water up to the two water-pump ports.

 

[HammerDown]

Why don't you put a gallon of pure antifreeze in it (it will take at least all of that...start the car for a bit to mix. Then measure the antifreeze adding more until you get the right 50/50.

Now's your chance to also change the radiator petcock. It's inexpensive and a wise "while your there".

Chuck M

Almost three gallons came out of the rad and some of the block...I know the block will still have 'some' water in it, at least up to the water pump ports.
My rad has a brass plug for a drain, never an issue and easy to remove.

 

[hotmtrsports]

Then put 1 1/2 gallons in it or whatever you want, you know what I mean. When you start the car, the water pump impeller will begin moving because of the fan belt and mix it in!

If the petcock is good, great.

Just giving suggestions. :eyerole


Chuck M

 

[HammerDown]

Darn, filled the rad and even the 'flushing-T heater hose' with uncut antifreeze and I'm a "zero-degrees" when testing.
I may have to drain some out of the rad and add back in more uncut to get to a 50/50 which I believe is -35 degrees.

Some minor scale build-up in the rad...can't say the ' Prestone flush cleaner' didn't do much...I almost tried the qt of white vinegar trick for the flush.

 

[navy2kcoupe]

You might have too MUCH antifreeze in there,
Google pure ethylene glycol freeze point
and click on the "wikipedia" entry to see the
chart I copied and pasted below.........
Andy [TABLE="class: wikitable"]
[TR]
[TH]Weight percent EG (%)[/TH]
[TH]Freezing point (°F)[/TH]
[TH]Freezing point (°C)[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]0[/TD]
[TD]32[/TD]
[TD]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]25[/TD]
[TD]−4[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]20[/TD]
[TD]−7[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]30[/TD]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]−15[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]40[/TD]
[TD]−10[/TD]
[TD]−23[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]50[/TD]
[TD]−30[/TD]
[TD]−34[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]60[/TD]
[TD]−55[/TD]
[TD]−48[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]70[/TD]
[TD]−60[/TD]
[TD]−51[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]80[/TD]
[TD]−50[/TD]
[TD]−45[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]90[/TD]
[TD]−20[/TD]
[TD]−29[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]100[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]−12[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[HammerDown]

Andy, thanks for the chart.

Went out to get my handy-dandy "anti-freeze and coolant tester" and, as mentioned it did show "0" on the dial.

When I test straight-water the needle points straight down (doesn't move).

When I test straight antifreeze, the needle slams all the way up ^ to -45 degrees F.

On the tool it states..."for -35F protection use a 50/50 solution of water and coolant"

I've had this tester for a loooooong time...it's like an old friend. lol