Coolant Question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Coolant Question
When a car is started does the coolant start flowing right away through the upper rad hose to the manifold?
I'm just wondering because I recently changed the manifold and was wondering if coolant will reach all areas like the manifold right away or does the engine have to hit a certain temperature?
I put some coolant in the manifold, but am not sure it's enough.
I'm so confused. Can you tell?
Les
I'm just wondering because I recently changed the manifold and was wondering if coolant will reach all areas like the manifold right away or does the engine have to hit a certain temperature?
I put some coolant in the manifold, but am not sure it's enough.
I'm so confused. Can you tell?
Les
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 451
Likes: 2
From: Toronto On
Coolant only flows around in the heads/block/heater until the engine warms up, then when the coolant hits the thermostat temp (depends which one you install), it opens up to allow circulation through the rad. Engines actually should not run too cool, it messes up the oil and the overall efficiency, plus, your feet would freeze.
So, either stuck open or stuck closed is not a good thing. Coolant should still be flowing through your manifold (Edelbrock RPM, no?), through the coolant passages on the front of each head (did you put RTV on the intake manifold gaskets around those passages?).
So, either stuck open or stuck closed is not a good thing. Coolant should still be flowing through your manifold (Edelbrock RPM, no?), through the coolant passages on the front of each head (did you put RTV on the intake manifold gaskets around those passages?).
Last edited by Ace77; Nov 25, 2004 at 02:35 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I always drill a small hole in the thermostat that I am installing. This prevents the system from vapor locking in some instances and allows the coolant to flow into the high areas of the system as the engine warms. Also, leave the rad cap off, start the car and allow the engine to warm up. When you see the coolant start moving in the rad it will go down; add more coolant until the rad is completely full and quickly install the cap. Works for me everytime without the possibility of vapor lock.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
To add to what Bernie said drilling a small hole also helps with the stock type thermostat's in that if and when they fail in the closed position you will also still get flow. I have switched to a Robert-Shaw thermostat b/c they always fail in the open position by design. If you filled thru the thermostat housing then put the thermostat in you have done about as much as you can do. Bring the car up to temp so that the thermostat opens and almost all of the air will work it's way out. Just have the rad cap off and as Bernie said fill as necessary until the desired fluid level is reached. Don't worry if you get it to full.. The system will boil out what it doesn't want.. Dave..
