Radiator Petcock

[Heartworm]

Everytime I have to drain the antifreeze I vow that I will rig up something better than the crappy nylon thumbscrew petcock where the antifreeze goes everywhere and makes a collossal mess. Maybe this time I actually will do it! I searched "radiator petcock" and got 9 hits. The only new information that I got was that I was not the only one who had this problem. Does anyone know of an aftermarket petcock that is either (a) angled down or (b) made like a ball valve so that you can attach a hose to the outlet?

My radiator appears to be aftermarket. Are the plastic petcocks some standardized thread?

Stock 1986 FJ60 by the way...

 

[jvazquez53]

Must be aftermarket or after certain year they are plastic. Mine is an 83 and is metal. I do have a very large pan for collecting antifreeze, it's always been messy.

 

[High Desert]

My drain is plastic too, it's a 84. 2nd Stock radiator.

I rig a small funnel to a length of hose. I stuff the funnel under the drain and catch it that way..

I only do this if I am going to put the same antifreeze back in, like for a thermostat change. If I am going to flush I pull the bottom hose off and let it run all over the damn place. that's where the big ole drain pans and 5 gal buckets come in handy

 

[klinetime574]

I just unscrewed mine a little bit and the small hole in the threads allowed it to flow nice and smooth. And then it hits the frame. haha thats where the mess is.

I also have an 84 and it is my 2nd stock readiator. thats weird

 

[lehiguy]

I use the kid's wading pool to catch the mess.