I pulled my radiator on Saturday and will be installing a new one either Friday or Saturday. Is there anything special I need to do when refilling the system after its sat for so long? I never drained the block and don't intend to since it only has ~3000 miles on the ELC. Plan is to fill with 1 gallon of ELC then 1 gallon distilled water until full.

If you're interested in reading about the debacle that led to me replacing a radiator over the course of a week continue reading below...

I pulled my stock, 20-year-old radiator on Saturday and installed a brand new Murray unit from O'Reilly's. I get everything hooked up on the bottom and top side then add a gallon of Rotella ELC followed by a gallon of distilled water. I take a step back to grab another jug and hear the heart-breaking sound of splashing. I look under the truck and there's my $25/gal. ELC just pouring out all over my driveway that I worked so diligently to keep clean while doing the removal. I got under the truck hoping I left the drain open but much to my dismay it was a crack in the plastic where the post is supported in the cradle.

I pulled the radiator and called O'Reilly's. They didn't have one in stock but could get one in an hour. I wait the hour and go pick up another brand new unit, inspect if for cracks. All good. I get the new new one in and go to attach the brackets on the top side and they're off by about 1/2". The holes just won't line up. I pull the new one and notice that its completely out of square so from top to bottom the corners are off about 1/2". Called O'Reilly's again nothing in stock for days so I order (not from them) an all aluminum one that will be arriving today... Hopefully the 3rd time is the charm!

 

After my second ex wife, no more charms but i do like chimes on my clock to ring all day long

 

if your truck has a motorcraft thermostat installed it has a bleed hole in it to let air past it when re filling.
top it off go drive it until it reaches full operating temp, shut it off and let it cool completely and fill to the line on the degas tank.nest time you drive it check it again.
it is a self bleeding system.

 

Roger that! Thanks for the help!

 

How to make any cooling system a self bleeding system...

Just did this on my Corvette thermostat. 1/8" bit to bleed air, just inside of the gasket area

 

Another question: Do I need to do anything special with the transmission fluid (bleed anything)? I'm planning to check the level and add 1 quart or so that I lost in the past week.

Thanks in advance!

 

No just top it off if needed after running.