71 w/AC adding coolant
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Joined: Jul 2023
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71 w/AC adding coolant
All I want to know is. My 71 350 with AC and NO expansion tank needs a little bit of coolant added to it. I don't want to take hoses and all that stuff loose. Comments I've read are all over the place. I just assumed I would remove the (cool) radiator cap, fill it to about an inch below the top, start it and let it run a little while. Then check it after it cools. Is this okay? I'm not a mechanic and I don't know anything about burping (a car) and all that stuff. I've added coolant to vehicles plenty times without issue. What I've read so far sounds like I need to take a class. Somebody please give me some simple, understandable advice. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
All I want to know is. My 71 350 with AC and NO expansion tank needs a little bit of coolant added to it. I don't want to take hoses and all that stuff loose. Comments I've read are all over the place. I just assumed I would remove the (cool) radiator cap, fill it to about an inch below the top, start it and let it run a little while. Then check it after it cools. Is this okay? I'm not a mechanic and I don't know anything about burping (a car) and all that stuff. I've added coolant to vehicles plenty times without issue. What I've read so far sounds like I need to take a class. Somebody please give me some simple, understandable advice. Thanks.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Itwould be good to turn the heater on and let the car reach operating temperature to remove any air bubbles from the heater core.
Then stop the engine, cool the radiator, add coolant.
Repeat the process.
If the car has an overflow catch container. connected to the radiator, fill it halfway full with coolant. It will automatically refill the radiator once the radiator cools dow.
IF your car does NOT have an overflow. container, buy one...inslall it...fill it halfway.
Check the level in the container each time you are under the hood...keep the container at least half full of coolannt.
Then stop the engine, cool the radiator, add coolant.
Repeat the process.
If the car has an overflow catch container. connected to the radiator, fill it halfway full with coolant. It will automatically refill the radiator once the radiator cools dow.
IF your car does NOT have an overflow. container, buy one...inslall it...fill it halfway.
Check the level in the container each time you are under the hood...keep the container at least half full of coolannt.
