My latest project is my grandfathers old 1959 Chevy two ton truck. my uncle pulled it apart in 1985 to rebuild the front axle because it shimmied like a bastard. Well, it is now 2008, and i finally put it all back together. After putting the axle back on and rebuilding the braking system, i am now having issues with cooling. I pulled the drain plug out of the back of the block and nothing came out. i stick an ice pick in there and when i pulled it out, it looked like grease on the end of it. i poked and poked and poked and no water has come out, so i fill it with water and start it, it builds good pressure and it only trickles out of the block. so Im not sure what to do. I dont want to run a radiator flush solution through it because I'm afraid I will harm the head gasket. I was thinking of blowing compressed air into the block, but id figure id ask you guys before i did anything that would cause damage. engine is a 261.





someone stole the oilbath aircleaner off of the engine one night. so i have this cheapy from kragen on there for the time being until I find a new one

My suggestion would be to pull the freeze plugs (I would guess they are nearly rotted through any way) and give the high pressure washer a work out. You may need to take the manifold off to get easy access but is a small price to pay compared to having to replace the head gasket.
While doing this have the radiator rod cleaned (remove 1 tank and make sure each tube flows water).
Tony

Along with the above I would suggest removing the complete drain coack and use a coat hanger wire to probe around inside the water jacket. The drain cock is locaed at the lowest point and most of the "junk" settles there. Its not unusual to find a greasy substance there also.
Reemoval of the head and water pump would be the the best way to clean things out. A "cleaner" will not harm the head gasket unless its already rotten.

I removed the water pump, and blew compressed air into the back of the block. I got it unplugged and it drains nicely now, I then ran water through the water pump hole and flushed it out. I even ran water through a heater hose, flushing out the heater core and the head. All is well! I have a few parts on order from The Filling Station and it will be ready to run. I looked into it and it will be over 600 dollars to license it, and I haven't even looked at insurance yet

I would still run a good flush throught the block to clean out all I could. And have the radiator boiled out.