refill cooling system
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 491
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From: kirksville mo
refill cooling system
I just did an engine swap put in an 302 into a 80 f-250 any way the block was drained and i all ready installed the thermostat is there a spicial refill procedure so i don"t get air trapped into the system, and overheat the engine or worse blow a head gasket. thanks Dave
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Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
I would fill the system up with the proper coolant, leave the radiator cap off, start the engine and let it idle. Place your heater in the on position and watch the temp gauge.
During this process the coolant level should burp out air. Add coolant as needed. After twenty minutes you should have most off the air out of the system. If you want to make sure, let the engine cool down and repeat.
You can squeeze upper and lower hoses during the process but that is usually not required. If you do, be careful of the moving parts and use gloves with the upper hose.
During this process the coolant level should burp out air. Add coolant as needed. After twenty minutes you should have most off the air out of the system. If you want to make sure, let the engine cool down and repeat.
You can squeeze upper and lower hoses during the process but that is usually not required. If you do, be careful of the moving parts and use gloves with the upper hose.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 188
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From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Before you install your thermostat, if it doesnt already have a hole on the outer edge of it (i forget what they call that hole) drill a small hole in it about 2 times the size of a pen tip. This allows all the air to pass through that hole so that water will curclate and get all the air out, because if you do not get that air out its possible that the thermostat may not to open, youll just get a large air bubble built up in front of it. Nothing big, just drill a hole on the outer edge of it, you can even look at other thermostats at your auto store....most of them already have a hole in them. Then once you have everything filled up crank er over and make sure you turn the heat on, i always just put it on defrost.....turning the heat gets the water circulating fast and youll know once the thermostat has opened because you will begin to get warm air....make sure you allow atleast 20-30 min to warm up that way you can keep on filling up the radiator as the water lvl drops.
