Ford 302 cooling question

[UKjohnnycobra]

When I disconnect the radiator bottom hose from the water pump, the radiator drains, but the block does not. Only minimal amounts of fluid drains from the water pump and the block remains full right up to the water temp sensor. The only way to get any fluid to drain from the block is to remove the drain plugs. Does this sound right?

I ask because the engine runs slightly hot. I have a new 165F thermostat and the water pump is new, and my temp guage indicates 90C(194F), but I am convinced it reads low.

Thanks in advance.

John

[olddog]

Assuming the engine is cold, when you removed the hose, the thermostat would be closed. The water may well drain slow due to no air allowed to enter the engine via a close T-stat.

If you removed the water temp sensor, that would have allowed the air in. If it still drained slow, then maybe there is a problem.

I'm thinking the water still has to flow through the water pump impeller. So it is not going to drain as fast as the radiator. So it may depend on how slow you are talking.