I have a bit of an odd issue. I have a 91 f250 7.3 IDI, automatic. The truck has not been running in about 15 years. The diesel fuel in the truck is rotten. It only had diesel in one of the tanks so I put fresh diesel in the other tank. I am having a devil of a time getting it started. The truck has a block heater and I would like to utilize it to get the truck started. The radiator has been taken out and now put back in. Here is my question. How can I fill the truck with coolant without removing the thermostat and the truck not running? There is a metal pipe coming vertically off of the water pump and going to the heater core. Can I use a funnel and fill the motor this way? Any help would be appreciated in getting the engine full of coolant.

 

You'll never get all the air bled out without it running. Fill it from the radiator cap and squeeze the radiator hoses a couple times. Keep topping it off every 5 or 10 minutes, gravity will help, but again you'll never get all the air out unless it's running.

 

Keep pumping the upper radiator hose like 95fiveoh said, by passing the heater core may help a little.

 

I would disconnect the highest up heater hose at the engine end and pour coolant in the radiator as normal. Hopefully that will let the air purge out as you fill it.

 

when cranking, do you get and white smoke out of the exhaust?
if not, the fuel shut off in the injector pump may be stuck in off position due to the bad fuel.

 

coolant connection to the throttle body? (for my 5.8)