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Hey folks, I recently bought a truck with a 352 and it’s going to get below freezing in about a week. The previous owner just ran straight water, so I need to change it out for 50/50. Could I get a close enough ratio by simply draining the radiator and filling it with straight antifreeze or do I need to drain the block and fill it all up with 50/50? If that’s the case where are the drain plugs? What’s the best way to get to them?
Most likely this will work fine. Check the operator's manual or shop manual for cooling system capacity to be sure. It should be around 4 gallons total typically. Just drain the radiator, and refill. A truck radiator should hold about 2 gallons of undiluted antifreeze coolant.
Even a little under 50/50 ratio is still extended freeze protection. 50/50 ratio is good to -34° below zero. Be sure to run the engine at least 15 minutes at a fast idle to thoroughly mix the solution, or even better drive it. Maybe you know this already, but undiluted antifreeze will freeze, unless mixed with water it isn't any good. Sounds weird but it's true. They do sell "premixed" antifreeze now, you don't want that. Buy two (2) gallons of undiluted Prestone green or Zerex, or NAPA or whatever. There should be about 2 gallons of H20 in the block and such after draining the radiator itself.
Agree with Tedster9. FWIW, my FE powered '65 takes 5 gallons to fill when starting with a dry engine (following a rebuild) with stock radiator...and still leaving room in radiator for expansion of course. So I use 2.5 gallons of antifreeze.
BTW, block drain is near the passenger side casting plugs, but removing it shouldn't be necessary in this case.
If you don't buy 50/50 and use straight add distilled water rather then tap. Don't forget to run the heater also to circulate the anti-freeze through it.
Straight water means rust. I would flush out the system with distilled water, with the thermostat removed, until the water isn’t rusty. Reinstall the thermostat and add coolant.
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