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Spitfire Easiest way to re-new Spitire coolant?

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I want to flush and refill my coolant today and change the thermostat. I don't have a petcock on the radiator as I can see. Is that plug on the corner of the head for flushing the system? Seems like it would be a bit messy via that plug. Has anyone found a good way of doing it?
 
The easiest way to drain the system would be to disconnect the bottom hose at the radiator. Before doing this, make sure you have a backup if it looks like it's been there a long time.
There should be a petcock on the block that you can open.
If you want to do a basic garden hose flush, disconnect the heater return hose at the firewall(non firewall end). Open your heater valve and flush.
I would fill the system with water or a water/flush solution and run it for a while and then drain. Repeat as necessary before refilling with antifreeze solution.
 
DougF said:
...If you want to do a basic garden hose flush, disconnect the heater return hose at the firewall(non firewall end). Open your heater valve and flush...
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But just so this is clear... you do not want to subject your cooling system to city water pressure. Use one of those Prestone fittings made for this or something else that will move the water w/o much pressure.
 
Geo Hahn said:
But just so this is clear... you do not want to subject your cooling system to city water pressure.
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Amen ! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif
With care, and if you don't mind getting wet, you can do a reasonable job of limiting pressure by just holding the garden hose end to the radiator cap or other opening. Any pressure will blow the hose end away, so don't force it hard against the opening. Of course, this also means water will spray all over the place ...
 
Andrew Mace said:
Don't even bother flushing the system unless you also REMOVE the block plug (or petcock if fitted) and flush thoroughly!
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Which block plug? I see 2 plugs near the fuel pump. Either one?
 
Stirkle said:
Which block plug? I see 2 plugs near the fuel pump. Either one?
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Nope neither of those. The engine drain plug is on the carb side, left of where the exhaust manifold attaches to the tailpipe (see attached).
 

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I just went through all of this on mine. The bottom hose is the easiest way to drain it. It is a little messy but it works.

DougF is right though, be sure you have another hose in case yours is rotting. Mine is functional but I have new hoses coming in this week. They are getting bad and removing it didn't help.
 
Thanks, that was what I decided looked the best way to do it. I too am waiting for top and bottom hoses to do the job. Might as well change them, they are cheap enough.
 
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