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Coolant levels in a 76

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Old Feb 10, 2023 | 11:41 PM
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Default Coolant levels in a 76

Can someone tell me where the coolant levels should be in the radiator and reservoir, cold and hot?
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Old Feb 11, 2023 | 06:09 AM
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In the reservoir. About a quarter full cold. No more or it will spit coolant on hills when hot.
Radiator, completely full right to the top. When hot the coolant expands and pushes fluid into the reservoir. As it cools down it pulls the fluid back into the radiator.
​​​This keeps air out of the system. Air is bad.
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Old Feb 11, 2023 | 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by 4-vettes
In the reservoir. About a quarter full cold. No more or it will spit coolant on hills when hot.
Radiator, completely full right to the top. When hot the coolant expands and pushes fluid into the reservoir. As it cools down it pulls the fluid back into the radiator.
​​​This keeps air out of the system. Air is bad.
Thanks very much!
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Old Feb 11, 2023 | 08:40 AM
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Also important is the correct radiator cap, normally a 15lb cap.
Also, if you remove the overflow bottle cap there should be a hose connected to the inner side of the cap.
This is both the relief and suction hose to and from the radiator.
The hose length should be off the bottom of the overflow bottle a inch or so.
The hose is not rubber but more like silicone...
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 07:55 AM
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Can't figure this one out: Put a new Dewitt's, correct radiator in my 82 Collector Edition. Burped the system properly. Overflow reservoir is at the proper level when cold. Radiator has correct 15 PSI cap. Car runs nice and cool. No leaks. Every single time I open the radiator cap when cold, anti freeze flows out even though I have suctioned it down 4 times to well below the cap area? Why is this backing up that high into the radiator???
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 08:06 AM
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you opened the cap... and suctioned it down 4 inches cold and it still flows out while open??
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 08:16 AM
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Originally Posted by interpon
you opened the cap... and suctioned it down 4 inches cold and it still flows out while open??
It won't overflow immediately after siphoning. I close the cap after siphoning it down and take it for a ride. Let it sit overnight. The following morning I open the cold radiator cap and anti freeze flows out. Once again it's overfull. I siphon it again and repeat the whole process. It is still over full, yet the coolant overflow tank is right on the cold line as it should be.
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by capevettes
It won't overflow immediately after siphoning. I close the cap after siphoning it down and take it for a ride. Let it sit overnight. The following morning I open the cold radiator cap and anti freeze flows out. Once again it's overfull. I siphon it again and repeat the whole process. It is still over full, yet the coolant overflow tank is right on the cold line as it should be.
the radiator can't be overfilled. That is normal. The fluid level in the reservoir is higher than the radiator.
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
the radiator can't be overfilled. That is normal. The fluid level in the reservoir is higher than the radiator.
I've had alot of Corvettes and never had one that would spill over every time you opened the radiator cap, cold. I always kept them a couple of inches from the top and that's where it stayed. Agree with you that the overflow tank is higher. Guess it's the seesaw effect transferring fluid back and forth depending on whether it's hot or cold.
Maybe I'm chasing an issue that doesn't exist. Runs nice and cool. Guess I'll stop chasing my tail and not open the radiator cap any more.

Thanks.
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by capevettes
I've had alot of Corvettes and never had one that would spill over every time you opened the radiator cap, cold. I always kept them a couple of inches from the top and that's where it stayed. Agree with you that the overflow tank is higher. Guess it's the seesaw effect transferring fluid back and forth depending on whether it's hot or cold.
Maybe I'm chasing an issue that doesn't exist. Runs nice and cool. Guess I'll stop chasing my tail and not open the radiator cap any more.

Thanks.
You are chasing an issue that doesn't exist. The whole purpose of the plastic tank is to have no air in the radiator. That started in 73. Older Corvettes with no external expansion tank had the level in the radiator a few inches down when cold.
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Old Feb 24, 2023 | 04:30 PM
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I agree with you Mel. My older Vettes have expansion tanks with no caps on the radiators. Expansion tanks kept 1/2 full.
I'm not opening the radiator cap any more.
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