filling cooling system
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
It took me a combined effort. First, run the car in park and let it warm up so the thermostat opens with the radiator cap off. You will see when the pump starts pushing coolant through. Add as much as you can and shut it off.
Next, fill your overflow tank half way or so.
Finally, when she is cooled off in the morning, check the level in the radiator. If it needs fluid, try to add fluid while squeezing the upper radiator hose. You can hear it push out air and suck fluid in. You have to have a good radiator cap. This is how I got to this level.
Next, fill your overflow tank half way or so.
Finally, when she is cooled off in the morning, check the level in the radiator. If it needs fluid, try to add fluid while squeezing the upper radiator hose. You can hear it push out air and suck fluid in. You have to have a good radiator cap. This is how I got to this level.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
put the car on level ground fill to half way up the expansion tank start car let it run while keeping an eye on the coolant level as it warms up, slowley add coolant as needed to the recommended fill level. check again when its cold. been doing this on my vett for 40 years with no problems.
Last edited by 69ttop; Nov 16, 2012 at 02:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i am like the rest of the guys these cars seem to burp the air pretty well by themselves and filling with fluid just doesnt seem to be an issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Are u having problems or just trying to avoid mistakes?
It's hard to solve a problem we don't know what it is.
So is your car running now? It always takes some time to get most of the air out after filling a dry engine.
As by design there is always some air trapped somewhere in pockets due to boiling in the head - definatly near the exhuast ports. Gen II motors/Evans system tried to cure this with reverse cooling and a vented head. What i'm saying is there is always some vapor pockets inside - more so when driven hard/making higher power.How did u fill and vent yours?
cardo0
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 7
From: Beringen
New engine, body off resto. Body is just on. Need to fill the engine now. I want to avoid air in the system as much as I can.
I have additional cooling lines to the 2 center ports.
I have additional cooling lines to the 2 center ports.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
The SBC does not require any special air bleed procedure. The engine will "burp" itself during each warmup/cool off cycle. Start off with radiator filled and the overflow tank filled to "hot level". Drive it with the heater on. Check it again after it cools down. Repeat as necessary.
It may take several cycles to allow all the air to leave the system.
It may take several cycles to allow all the air to leave the system.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Another trick is to drill a tiny 1/8" hole or less in the t-stat itself. This will allow a small amount of continuous recirc to radiator but vents the block at the same time.
Let us know how or what works for your hp application,
cardo0