Anyone know the cooling system capacity for a 1976 F150? The truck is 4x4, FE block, no A/C. Top tank on radiator measures about 2 9/16" wide by 3 1/2" tall, overall radiator is about 30" wide by 25 1/2" tall. Busted a hose and wanted to flush it out and refill since I'm also replacing the thermostat. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks in advance!

EDIT: should I use a 192* or 180* thermostat? Not super knowledgeable about FE's... Also, radiator is 19 3/8" between tanks.

 

OK update, thought I'd pass this on... there are two radiators for FE engines this year, a shorter one that is 19 3/8" tall between tanks, and a taller one that is 24"+. The taller one is for the "heavy duty" cooling, like if you have a/c, bigger truck, etc. Most have the smaller radiator, and total capacity is 22 quarts. The larger radiator holds two more quarts, 24 quarts total. Difference being that you buy 3 gallons of straight antifreeze, w/o hd cooling you have a quart left, with h/d cooling you use it all. Thought I'd pass it on. This is apparently the same for all F-series pickups, 73-76, with an FE engine.

 

'Dunno the exact capacity but I know it'll need at least two gallons of coolant.

Here's what I do...

1. Starting with an empty cooling system and the heater controls set to hot, dump one gallon of pure coolant.
2. Refill the empty jug with water and pour it in.
3. Now you should have an empty container and one full container.
4. Pour one-half of the full gallon onto the empty container.
5. Fill both of them with water.. now you have two gallons of 50/50 mix.
6. Dump one gallon in and use the other to top it off.
7. Fire up the engine and monitor the coolant level for when the thermostat opens.
8. Top off one inch below the neck to allow for additional expansion.
9. Mark the jug with "50/50" so you know it's a premix. Stick it behind the seat and you're good to go.

With the thermostat, I like to drill a 1/8-inch hole so there is no trapped air in the block.

I'd go with the 180° thermostat.

 

I have the smaller radiator in my 150, so I put 11 quarts in my truck based on my research, and topped it off with water. Ran the truck a good couple hours altogether and checked the coolant the next day with a tester, it was good for -34*, or 50/50 mix. Used the 180* thermostat, heater works fine and the engine warms up nice.