engine coolant drain tap

[ozzie alpine]

My (as yet unused since rebuild many years ago) 1725 has a blank brass plug in the block where I assume the coolant drain tap should be.

I noticed that my friends Gazelle (badged a Hillman in Australia), which also has a 1725, has a drain tube extending from the block, through a hole near the engine mount, to a small drain tap which faces forwards.

Would the Alpine originally have had a similar system? Out of interest is the drain in the same position on 1500 and 1600 blocks? Should I worry about fitting a tap in place of the blank plug (hopefully I won't have to drain it too often!!)

 

[Nickodell]

Dave, my SV 1725 had drain taps at the bottom of both radiator and engine block, neither of which worked because they were always plugged with crud. I replaced each with a plug, which when you remove lets the water and junk out rapidly.

 

[napa 1]

Dave, my series 1 has the drain tap exactly as you described it on your friend's Gazelle. When I attempted to drain the engine this weekend to begin taking it apart, the radiator tap, worked great.... the engne drain was plugged just as Nick described it.

 

[Wombat]

Dave

Drain pipe and tap is the same for the 1500 and 1600 (and probably the 1725 as well). My Series IV has a 1725 (Hillman Hunter block, I think) and also has the plug. I seem to rememner one of my Hillmans had a drain tap screwed directly into the block.

 

[lemansvk]

My Series IV has a 1725 (Hillman Hunter block, I think) and also has the plug. I seem to rememner one of my Hillmans had a drain tap screwed directly into the block.

You can tell the source of your 1725 block from the engine number. In Australia, Hunter blocks start with 'H'; blocks from Super Minx IV will start 'AB03', from Hillman Gazelles 'AB7', Minx VI 'AB006'

Cheers, Vic