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TR2/3/3A location of the coolant drains on a tr3a

woodeye3

Freshman Member
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I'd like to drain and replace the collant on my 1960 tr3a as it overheated this past summer and I added only water. I'm wondering where the drains are located on the block and the radiator. What is the best way to be sure I've gotten all the old coolant out. Thanks
 
Lower right side and rear of the radiator... and low on the block below the rear carb, but just above the starter. Unless you drain it regularly, the engine tap will likely be clogged.
 
I remember, as a kid, opening up the drains and then putting a garden hose in the filler cap. Made a good seal and blew all kinds of junk out of the system. Don't know if that's the right way to do it but it worked for a 16 year old.
 
My concern would be blowing the heater core apart. They aren't the strongest construction to begin with, and get weaker with age and rust.
Varies a lot, but its not unusual to find over 100 psi in a garden hose.

I don't run a heater, but if I did, I would close the valve on the head, and disconnect the return on the other side while pressure flushing the engine.

Like John said, the block drain is often blocked. Some digging around with a length of heavy wire will usually open them up.
 
Mine was so bad on my old TR4a that a wire would do it, I turned a small drill bit by hand to dig out the crud, and finally got it to drain.
 
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