Adding Coolant to LT1
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Tauranga, New Zealand
Adding Coolant to LT1
Tomorrow I will be installing the L/H cylinder head on my LT1 Stingray.
Is there any particular procedure to adding the coolant back into the system. [I have been accustomed to Euro cars that have a bleeder in the system]
I can't see anything like this on the Corvette , but don't want Air-lock the system.
Also ,with the GM torque to yield head bolts, they have a coating on the thread.
Are these bolts installed dry, or do I give them a light coat of oil?
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers Kerry
Is there any particular procedure to adding the coolant back into the system. [I have been accustomed to Euro cars that have a bleeder in the system]
I can't see anything like this on the Corvette , but don't want Air-lock the system.
Also ,with the GM torque to yield head bolts, they have a coating on the thread.
Are these bolts installed dry, or do I give them a light coat of oil?
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers Kerry
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
Tomorrow I will be installing the L/H cylinder head on my LT1 Stingray.
Is there any particular procedure to adding the coolant back into the system. [I have been accustomed to Euro cars that have a bleeder in the system]
I can't see anything like this on the Corvette , but don't want Air-lock the system.
Also ,with the GM torque to yield head bolts, they have a coating on the thread.
Are these bolts installed dry, or do I give them a light coat of oil?
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers Kerry
Is there any particular procedure to adding the coolant back into the system. [I have been accustomed to Euro cars that have a bleeder in the system]
I can't see anything like this on the Corvette , but don't want Air-lock the system.
Also ,with the GM torque to yield head bolts, they have a coating on the thread.
Are these bolts installed dry, or do I give them a light coat of oil?
Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers Kerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 1,024
From: North Texas
Most 'wrenches' todays use an Airlift to pull a vacuum on the cooling system to remove all air in the system. Too expensive if you unfortunately leave and air pocket some where especially the in head.
Ask me how I know, been there done that.
Ask me how I know, been there done that.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,688
Likes: 1,450
Coolant isnt too bad on these cars. Add till it is full. Idle the engine and add as needed. Make sure it doesn't overheat cause it may have air pockets and may overheat idling. Jack the front a little and it should gurgle a little more air. then drive up and down a couple of speed bumps or driveways and it should get the rest of the air out.
Just gotta angle the car a bit to get all the air out. Make sure to check again after driving.
Just gotta angle the car a bit to get all the air out. Make sure to check again after driving.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
From: Tauranga, New Zealand
Thanks for the answers.
I'll just do that.
My old BB racer had a remote tank and was easy to purge [leave it idling until the thermostat opened]
I'll run it through a couple of heat cycles while the front of the car is raised on blocks
I had a BMW that was a nightmare. It had all the symptoms of a blown head gasket. It had a bleeder [that was difficult to see] that remedied the problem
I'll just do that.
My old BB racer had a remote tank and was easy to purge [leave it idling until the thermostat opened]
I'll run it through a couple of heat cycles while the front of the car is raised on blocks
I had a BMW that was a nightmare. It had all the symptoms of a blown head gasket. It had a bleeder [that was difficult to see] that remedied the problem
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,688
Likes: 1,450
Thanks for the answers.
I'll just do that.
My old BB racer had a remote tank and was easy to purge [leave it idling until the thermostat opened]
I'll run it through a couple of heat cycles while the front of the car is raised on blocks
I had a BMW that was a nightmare. It had all the symptoms of a blown head gasket. It had a bleeder [that was difficult to see] that remedied the problem
I'll just do that.
My old BB racer had a remote tank and was easy to purge [leave it idling until the thermostat opened]
I'll run it through a couple of heat cycles while the front of the car is raised on blocks
I had a BMW that was a nightmare. It had all the symptoms of a blown head gasket. It had a bleeder [that was difficult to see] that remedied the problem
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 1,024
From: North Texas
You won't know that you have a trapped air pocket until it blows a head gasket or wraps the head. Thats why good shop mechanics all have and use an airlift. Short cuts cost the mechanic $$$.
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