Coolant draining M38A1

cabinfever · Post by **cabinfever** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 4:23 pm

Does anyone have any tips on how to "easily" get at and open the engine block petcock (F-head) so I can fully drain my coolant? I guess I have "Popeye forearms" because they prevent me from grasping the valve.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Jun 09, 2017 9:53 pm

Must have big arms. I have never had any problem reaching and turning it. I can offer up a special tool you can make and use.

cabinfever · Post by **cabinfever** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:06 am

Great recommendation! Thank you.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 7:30 am

Or you can spend more tool money!!

Camco petcock tool

Lisle petcock tool set

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-60450-Radi ... B00B01H5E2

Thexton THE485 Petcock Socket Set

https://www.amazon.com/Thexton-THE485-P ... B000OCKJJG

Hawkshadow · Post by **Hawkshadow** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 8:30 pm

On the L134 which has a similar valve, I just use a long anything (screwdriver, punch, rod, etc) and give it a couple of light taps to get it going. I would imagine you could apply the same for the F head engine.

To catch the coolant I use an old pop bottle as a funnel attached to a longer funnel tube. The pop bottle can be shaped and flexed to fit into place to avoid having coolant everywhere.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sat Jun 10, 2017 8:46 pm

Nice, Jordan!

Thanks for that!

cabinfever · Post by **cabinfever** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 7:56 am

Hawkshadow, yesterday I did just that. I used a drift from a 3/4" square, 16" long piece of pine and tapped on the petcock's left wing. After that, I could turn the wings with my finger tips. When it was drained, I did the opposite and gave the right wing a light tap with the drift to seal.

I am still going to make a tool like the one in Wes' drawing once I get the tee fitting I need for it.

Hawkshadow · Post by **Hawkshadow** » Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:24 pm

Glad I could help!