I didn't install my 34" radiator this week because I searched all over the place to find the drain and there just is none! I guess you have to remove the lower hose to drain the radiator. Messy!!

The 5.3 has a nice hose to swivel down and a petcock to drain the radiator. The 34" has the provisions for those items but the drain is plugged! Very strange.

Any comments?

 

i thought mine had that provision. if yours is closed then just drill it and plug in yours from the smaller one

 

You wont find one on the newer Radiators. GM eliminated the petcock.....guess they save .08 on every truck now

 

Gotta cut corners somewhere.

Cause us headaches so they can afford the overpriced labor.

 

That's what I figured but I just couldn't believe my eyes! Incredible!!

I'm going to have to check the Chevy parts diagrams and see if the threaded insert in the cast bung on the radiiator is a separate part that can be installed. The 5.3 28" radiator, upon close inspection, looks like the threads for the petcock MIGHT be a sleeve that's installed in the bung that is molded into the side of the radiator. The 34" radiator has all the provisions for the drain... the bung molded into the side, the orifice for the hose to be attached to and even the hose hold-down on the side of the radiator frame. Surely it can be drilled and the thread insert glued in? We'll see.

 

I'm definately going to install a drain in mine one way or the other before I put it back together. Look forward to seeing how you do it since I haven't looked at it yet.

GM also saved $.42 a truck by not putting a dome light under the hood anymore. Also my wife's 04 tahoe only had a door key hole on the driver's door. So if i'm driving I can't unlock and open the door for her since I don't keep a remote unlock on my keychain. I'm sure people think i'm a tool when they see me opening the door for myself .

 

I am not sure that I would be drilling into a plastic radiator for a drail that you will use once a year (if that). I just pull the lower radiator hose off and call it drained.

 

I've spent some time looking and couldn't find a drain kit. I'd be guessing that someone makes one, possibly a radiator shop or the Help! section at an auto parts store. It's rather odd...

 

My 04 28" Rad does not have the plug, nor did the clogged 03 34" SS rad that I tried to put in. But, the new 34" rad that I just bought has the drain plug and drain tube, with the oil cooler too for $230.

Good deal

 

1. cut your hose and put a "TEE" with a drain out the bullhead. 2. YES it is bullshit that my truck did not come with an underhood light.