Coolant flush without a running engine?

[ktb]

I'm still working on getting the engine to turn over but looking ahead to getting the coolant system flushed out.  The radiator is bad, so getting an aftermarket aluminum one.  Old water pump is bad, new one ordered.  All hoses and gaskets will be replaced.  I found a lot of hose debris and coolant sediment throughout the system and would like to get rid of that before installing new components. 

 

Is there a good way to flush the engine block without the rest of the coolant system installed?  Could I connect a hose to the heater connection at the back of the head and flush out the block through the front?  Would you try to use any kind of detergent or just garden hose water?  The heater core I will probably flush out separately in a similar manner - attach a hose to outlet and flush through the inlet.  Thanks!

[Ivan_B]

Most certainly. You can do a flush of the block without the car running or even the rest of the parts present. There are plenty of videos and recommendations about how to do that on the Tube, etc. I would be cautious about using the detergents, though. If you have not already done so, take out your valve coolant distribution tube and the block drain valve, at the bottom, to see how much sediment there actually is. If you can get rid of it with just a regular garden hose - just go for it 😀

[ktb]

19 minutes ago, Ivan_B said:

Most certainly. You can do a flush of the block without the car running or even the rest of the parts present. There are plenty of videos and recommendations about how to do that on the Tube, etc. I would be cautious about using the detergents, though. If you have not already done so, take out your valve coolant distribution tube and the block drain valve, at the bottom, to see how much sediment there actually is. If you can get rid of it with just a regular garden hose - just go for it 😀

 

Thank you, I wasn't even aware of the water distribution tube - I'm sure it's toast as well.  And I'm guessing it's best to flush from top to bottom. so thanks also for pointing out the block drain valve.

[Young Ed]

I did mine by pulling the two lower core plugs and then using a pressure washer behind the water pump. Lot of gunk came out. My alley looked like someone spilt a chili pot

[JBNeal]

2 hours ago, ktb said:

...

Is there a good way to flush the engine block without the rest of the coolant system installed? ...

additional information - engine block coolant flush anecdotes

[Ivan_B]

1 hour ago, JBNeal said:

additional information - engine block coolant flush anecdotes

These are some good anecdotes 😉

[ktb]

Thanks, it was time for me to get smart on freeze plugs.  Since I cleared everything off on the right side of the block, might as well clear everything off on the left.  I suppose I should get the engine turning and manifolds reinstalled before messing with coolant flushing?

[Young Ed]

Get the engine turning over. No point in worrying about the cooling system yet. If you can't get it to turn the cooling system stuff would just be a waste of time and effort 

[Robert Harrison]

You could really do this at any time.  Some things you could be doing that are productive are to clean out the oil pan area and get the engine to turn over.  I dont know if your engine is running but if you have recently received this truck and it has not run in a long time there are some things that I feel are important to do.   If you plan to start it I would clean the pan, oil pump, up well.  pull the disributor and soak the shaft portion and oil pump in a bucket of clean oil..  The distributor typically has an oil plug but also has a felt pad under the rotar that must be oiled place a few drops under the the felt pad and oil the pad with a few drops.  The gas tank needs to be flushed or replaced.  Some radiator shops have large enough tanks they can do that for you but best to remove it and flus it yourself and take it to them, or replace the tank with a new Tanks Inc tank and new fuel filters likely carb rebuild if you plan to focus on starting a long unused engine.  Bob Harrison