Filling Coolant

[asoupley]

Any trick on filling the coolant? I followed the manual (I think), but after running the engine for a while, when I squeeze the upper radiator hose, it does not feel like the system is full... am I just paranoid? Any way to make sure?

Thanks
Tony

 

[Bugeye58]

Tony, a sure fire way to do it is to pull the thermostat housing and fill the block from there. Run the engine with the heater valve open, (after reinstalling the t-stat housing, of course) and top up the expansion tank as necessary. This has always worked for me when filling the system from dry.
Jeff

 

[jlaird]

Why shoot, I just fill it up then do it again in 10 min or so. Never a problem.

 

[Bugeye58]

Jack, the cross flow systems can be a bit of a fiddle at times.
I've always done the down flow systems as you do, and have never had any difficulty.
Jeff

 

[jlaird]

Woops again, did not realise cross flow.

Oh well if the brits at the factory did it it must be easy. hehe.

 

[Billm]

I have always drilled a 1/8" hole in the flange of any thermostat that I put in an LBC. This allows the air out on filling and if the thermostat fails then at least there is some water flowing. Doesn't hurt warm-up enough to really matter. There used to be thermostats that sort-of did this and had a little plastic piece in the hole.
Bill

 

[kcbugeye1275]

The 1/8" hole is a good trick I just recently came across. However, I do four holes.