Getting ready to do some coolant hose work on my new 84, read a line in a mag., that they are hard to get the air out of the system. If this is so has anyone got the correct procedure to follow

 

For the early C4s. most guys use, what TPIS and GM call, packing.

It just involves warming the engine until the stat opens, manually holding the engine at about 2000 RPM, remove the radiator cap and fill the radiator to the top while holding that RPM. Replace the cap before you let off the R's or you'll get soaked in hot coolant.

Many guys drill holes in the stat to allow air to more easily escape and is said to improve cooling. That procedure in TPIS' Insider Hints booklet too.

If you need the step-by step on packing, check the Tech-Tips section, I believe it's posted there.

Jake

 

I tried the coolant packing and it simply "sucks". I agree with JAKE on the drilling of holes in the housing of the t'stat. It just takes two holes 1/16 inch in diameter to do the trick. I have used this for years and it really works on my 89 garage queen. If you need a photo showing this process, send me an email to samlam@charter.net.
SAM

 

ln my experience the trick has been to make sure the engine is up to full operating temp before the burping process can be successful. I think what happens is the stat will initially open, but when hit with cold/cool coolant from the radiator, the stat will close again. At that point, any air can't be purged; so the stat has to remain open during the purging operation.

Before I did the drill thing, I, at times, had to put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to restrict airflow through the radiator, thus keeping the coolant temp up. So my thinking is, if you're running a 180F stat, the coolant should be higher than that, say 200F to insure the stat remains open.

Drilling the holes helped a lot since air can still travel through the system and be expelled at the cap opening via those tiny holes. Drilling those holes and blocking off the stock bypass at the water pump made all the difference in the ease of purging air from my system.

Of course, having the radiator opening the highest point in the system helps too. You can drive the car's front tires up on some 2x4s or something similar.

Also, I've found that it takes keeping the R's up for quite a while until no more bubbles are seen at the filler neck. It may take several minutes. You can stick something, like a pencil, popsicle stick, fingernail file, etc., in the throttle lever to keep the R's up - saves wear and tear on your hand.

Hope this helps.

Jake