Coolant capacity

[Stuck_in_first]

I have a 2000 workhorse (chevy) 454cu in. Does anyone know what the coolant capacity is? If I just drain the radiator can I refill and get the proper 50/50 mix?

[Stuck_in_first]

John Wayne
Perhaps I could have worded my question better. I plan to use straight %100 antifreeze. I need to know the total capacity of the coolant system to determine how much coolant I need to replace to obtain the recommended 50/50 ratio. The assumption is that the existing coolant is almost all water. Checking the reservoir it shows no protection. There is no fluid under the radiator cap as it is mounted on a long tube. when the engine cools enough to take the cap off the coolant is beyond the reach of the tester. This is a normal situation. If I know the capacity of the entire system I may only need to drain the radiator. I will not flush as I do not want to put any coolant on the ground. To my original question. What is the capacity of my coolant system?

[John_Wayne]

How are you draining the engine block? If you don't drain the block when you add 50/50 it is no longer 50/50.

[Sully2]

Stuck in first wrote:
Good advice. Do you know the capacity?

Buy plenty. You can always take back UNOPENED jugs and get your $$ back.

[rgatijnet1]

I would guess that it is somewhere around 20 quarts. Don't forget to run the heater when filling the radiator to make sure that the coolant circulates through the heater core also.

[Stuck_in_first]

Good advice. Do you know the capacity?

[rgatijnet1]

Yes, if you use 50/50 mix when refilling. Just make sure that the anti-freeze that you are using is compatible with what was in previously.
Also make sure that all air is out of the system, which may mean that you have to burp the radiator a couple of times to expel all air bubbles.