Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

We are having the coldest Dec. in 18 years here in No. ILL. This follows a very cold Nov. Today I checked the antifreeze in my 2 Packards, and the 55 I purchased last spring is only good to about 15 degrees. The car is in a garage, but if I don't heat it I'm worried it might get colder than the antifreeze is good for. I don't want to add antifreeze as I have a bad water pump and need to change it out. If I drain all the antifreeze/water out of the radiator will it be safe? A little concerned about the water left in the block.

I can warm up your '55 on the way back to WI.

Yep, looks like its gonna be a long, cold winter. I'd drain a gallon or two out, refill with 100 percent pure antifreeze, then start and warm up the motor to insure circulation. You could save the diluted antifreeze for next year and topping off when needed.
Considering the price of a busted block, the price of antifreeze seems cheap to me.
Joe

If you really wanted to drain the system, don't forget the two water jacket drain plugs at the base of the water jacket (one on each side). But even that won't guarantee the system will be completely empty. And in addition, sitting dry is not particularly good for the radiator or the block.

I'd take JoeH's advice and adjust your antifreeze to the below the lowest temperature you can expect. The water pump is very easy to change, no more than 30 minutes or so. Do it first, or wait for warmer weather but at least go thru the winter with adequate freeze protection.

Just put a lit 60W light bulb on the engine and close the hood. That'll heat the coolant enough so that its freeze rating won't matter. It's 14F tonight in Pahrump, NV and that's what I'm doing.

Craig

I did the trick with a 100watt lightbulb to keep a pump from freezing. It always worked just fine till the lightbulb burned out 1 night. That was the end of my $800 pump!

I also recommend draining the rad and fill with pure antifreeze then run the car to mix it with what is in the block. That should get you by until spring. Not a big investment compared to a cracked block and radiator. The lightbulb solution is a god temporary one but not safe long term.

If you choose to add more antifreeze, be sure when you run the engine to circulate the new mixture to turn on your heater. This will circulate the stronger antifreeze mix in the heater core and protect it from freezing.

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Well, there always all kinds of failure modes. However, if you take the "belt & suspenders" approach, then having a light bulb and anti-freeze in the coolant, then you shouldn't have a problem.

Then, there's always block heater freeze plugs -- but I guess the electricity could go off all night.

In my case with my 55 Pat, I have anti-freeze mix mostly because it helps in the summertime due to it's superior heat transfer characteristics. Belt & Suspenders.

Craig

Use a quartz halogen work light or two to warm the front of the engine compartment. The heat given off by lamp should make it warm enough to comfortably change out the water pump and then you can refill with fresh antifreeze mix.

The lamps can be had at the box or hardware stores for around twenty bucks. Also comes in handy to unfreeze car doors, etc.