Tips for filling cooling system on 96?
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 81
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From: Southwest Ohio
Tips for filling cooling system on 96?
I just replaced the water pump/thermostat. I'm waiting on two heater hoses that are backordered. Will be replacing all hoses, so I will probably have more air in the system than normal. I did not drill any holes in the thermostat. Any tips or advice on refilling the system would be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Fl
I would pull the t housing and drill 1 or 2 1 /16 holes in it,not needed though.
fill system, put rags around the brass bleeder and open it just a liittle.start the engine and let her run opening the bleeder untill coolant comes out,repeat this every minute or so untill no air comes out.
fill system, put rags around the brass bleeder and open it just a liittle.start the engine and let her run opening the bleeder untill coolant comes out,repeat this every minute or so untill no air comes out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
I would pull the t housing and drill 1 or 2 1 /16 holes in it,not needed though.
fill system, put rags around the brass bleeder and open it just a liittle.start the engine and let her run opening the bleeder untill coolant comes out,repeat this every minute or so untill no air comes out.
fill system, put rags around the brass bleeder and open it just a liittle.start the engine and let her run opening the bleeder untill coolant comes out,repeat this every minute or so untill no air comes out.
Be sure to bleed it with it at op temp and t/stat open to get all of the air out. I don't believe in holes in the t/stat, but many others do, so your choice.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Raising the front end should help a lot too. I've been fighting air in my 87 for the last 2 weeks. Finally drove it up on 10" ramps, and holy crap, did the rad level drop... more than any of the other attempts.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 403
Likes: 5
From: West Palm Beach FL
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 4
From: Suffield CT
Not sure if this helps...
I have a 96 Imp SS, it has the de-tuned LT-1 with iron heads. I know WP is different style
but basically same design.
If this is the motor in your vette i can tell ya i did WP and T-stat in my drive way this summer and had the front on jack stands when i bled the system.
After i filled it i left the cap open on overflow tank (reverse flow cooling) and watched it suck the fluid as car warmed up and added fuid as needed.
Once at operating temp i shut her down and let cool off.
Once cool i put cap on and ran the car again in driveway, once at operating temp cracked open the bleed screw on T-stat housing to make sure no air and just fluid came out.
I was now done.
Good Luck....
-ALF out...
I have a 96 Imp SS, it has the de-tuned LT-1 with iron heads. I know WP is different style
but basically same design.
If this is the motor in your vette i can tell ya i did WP and T-stat in my drive way this summer and had the front on jack stands when i bled the system.
After i filled it i left the cap open on overflow tank (reverse flow cooling) and watched it suck the fluid as car warmed up and added fuid as needed.
Once at operating temp i shut her down and let cool off.
Once cool i put cap on and ran the car again in driveway, once at operating temp cracked open the bleed screw on T-stat housing to make sure no air and just fluid came out.
I was now done.
Good Luck....
-ALF out...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Your Owners Manual (the small one that comes with the car) has the procedure listed. No need to be creative or resort to "trick of the week" measures.
I often wonder why guys prefer to deviate from or ignore GM's recommended procedures. Take something so simple and turn it into something more complicated.
Both my son and I have 96s and all we do is follow the Owners Manual directions.
Jake
I often wonder why guys prefer to deviate from or ignore GM's recommended procedures. Take something so simple and turn it into something more complicated.
Both my son and I have 96s and all we do is follow the Owners Manual directions.
Jake
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Your Owners Manual (the small one that comes with the car) has the procedure listed. No need to be creative or resort to "trick of the week" measures.
I often wonder why guys prefer to deviate from or ignore GM's recommended procedures. Take something so simple and turn it into something more complicated.
Both my son and I have 96s and all we do is follow the Owners Manual directions.
Jake
I often wonder why guys prefer to deviate from or ignore GM's recommended procedures. Take something so simple and turn it into something more complicated.
Both my son and I have 96s and all we do is follow the Owners Manual directions.
Jake
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I just replaced the etc on mine the other day...but I didn't use any manual because I couldn't find the etc referenced in them.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
I'm gunna attempt to swap my busted heater core this upcoming weekend...I figure the task is going to suck no matter what literature I use. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
GEEZZZ!
Jake
