Replaced a OEM AC/DELCO radiator with a DELPHI OEM radiator yesterday.

Pulled the old radiator, it was still the original, sat it next to the brand new OEM replacement (DELPHI). Everything looked exact.

Went to put the petcock into the drain plug, and it was a super tight fit. Next I noticed the lock grooves for the petcock pin were not cut. So I cut them. Still couldn't get the petcock in. Went to Advance Auto and bough a Dorman petcock. Still couldn't get it in.

Looked at it for 5 minutes. Light came on. I shined a light down the old drain, whole was wide open. Did it on the replacement radiator, sealed shut.

Lesson learned- the new DELPHI, AC/DELCO radiators may not offer the option of installing a petcock and/ or draining the radiator through the drain. I specualte they no longer want to have a opening at the bottom of the radiator and expect a person to flush it a different way than drain and fill.

thats as handy as not having a trans drain, id like to knock some sense into these engineers

Certainly handy, but I always have a heck of a time reaching through that tiny access hole to turn the petcock valve. Even when I can reach it, it always drains so slowly that I wind up pulling off a hose anyway.

Still, I guess half a drain valve is better than none at all.

I have never found a petcock on my GXP and neither could garage. Had the Dex replaced just before 50k with a flush/fill machine.