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Coolant water frozen - what next?

440beep

440beep

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We’re having subzero weather here, and I completely forgot about the all water in my radiator and it’s now frozen, including rad hoses. Freeze plugs are still intact though. The Bee is stored for winter.

Do I just ride this out and wait for it to thaw in a few days when “warmer” weather comes? Thought about adding isopropyl alcohol but I’m guessing that won’t do much now.
 
If your really lucky you might be Okay but I doubt it.... As far as doing anything bow? To little to late.. Sorry, that completely sucks... Hopefully not a #s block... Usually I've seen the lifter valley pushed out... And if it is a numbers block it might be repairable with pins... If not here's your excuse to build a new bigger badder bullit..
 
Assuming it doesn't have block heaters..
I would get a pan heater on it. ( assuming power is available
I've had them survive frozen events, don't throw the towel in yet.
 
That sucks. I had this happen on a numbers 383 in my Challenger R/T convertible I owned in the late 70s. The cast core plugs were intact, but it cracked the block. I hope yours will be better. I would get some heat on it if possible and keep it on there until nice weather returns. I like the block heaters that are available for cold climates like people use on boat engines. Cheap insurance. My cars are in my shop and I keep my heat in there on low when I'm not working so it never goes below 40 degrees. It was 1 degree here the other morning and 42 degrees in my shop. I have backup propane and kerosene heaters just in case the power goes out. I hope all will be well for you.
Terry W.
 
Last edited:
RemCharger said:
Assuming it doesn't have block heaters..
I would get a pan heater on it. ( assuming power is available
I've had them survive frozen events, don't throw the towel in yet.
Click to expand...
Yea, I have a space heater under the radiator now and a heating pad wrapped around the upper rad hose.

And the 440 motor is not numbers matching, but is built pretty big.
 
In the garage or outside?
I would get a kerosene torpedo heater and heat it up, tent the car to keep the heat in. Once it's thawed drain the water, use an airhose to push the remaining out of the heater core/block.
 
How is your house plumbing? Outside spigot drained or covered, faucets set to drip? Stay warm and hope nothing else freezes.
 
Garage is attached to house and water is fine.
 
440beep said:
Yea, I have a space heater under the radiator now and a heating pad wrapped around the upper rad hose.

And the 440 motor is not numbers matching, but is built pretty big.
Click to expand...
Hopefully you get lucky...
 
Once thawed, check the oil for water in it. Check the cylinders for water and shoot some oil in each one just in case.
Terry W.
 
Here's $5000 of frozen iron. Get to heating it!
HEMI BLOCK2.jpg
HEMI BLOCK.jpg
 
Automatic car? Transmission cooler inside radiator? If so, don't put it in gear until you confirm the integrity of that cooler. Don't want to risk getting water in the transmission if that cooler is damaged.
 
440beep said:
Yea, I have a space heater under the radiator now and a heating pad wrapped around the upper rad hose.

And the 440 motor is not numbers matching, but is built pretty big.
Click to expand...
It’s the block that you should be concerned with. Put the space heater under the block blowing up if you can or at least towards the block. I’d also open the radiator drain and block plugs if you can. After it thaws you could check it with a radiator pressure checker to see if you have any problems. I’d also disconnect the transmission cooler lines before doing any testing.

As a side note. I had a small block Chevy freeze up once and once thawed it leaked everywhere. Poured a bottle of block seal in it and one by one the leaks stopped never to return.
 
Last edited:
Get the heater under the block. The radiator is the cheap part to replace. Close the hood and put a sheet of plastic, towels or a car cover over the gaps from fender to hood to cowl and it will warm up faster.

NO don't open any drains yet, let the water that is warming thaw out ALL the ice first, then drain and refill
 
When you get it thawed pull dipstick, if over full you've probably have a problem.
 
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