method for filling empty rad
 

So with all the stuff i disconnected to do my long tube headers the rad is empty except for a little bit im sure still in the heads

Whats the proper method for filling the rad with coolant? i know when my shop built the motor and there was nothing in it they ran the motor with the cap off so if air got jammed up in there it would just shoot out of there

but once all the air got burped out it stopped spitting it out the cap

whats the best way to get coolant back into my rad properly?

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

so did you get the longtubes in?

probably not the fastest nor the ideal way, but i just filled the radiator as it sat, letting whatever air that was in there bubble out. then after it was all done i loosened a plug, not take out just enough to get air and water to come out around the threads, in the intake manifold and bled air out of there until, no more bubbles came out and i was done. All seems well, not having any cooling issues.

An off topic question, did you get you TKO from forte's? Did the electric speedo work properly? or do you have a cable driven speedo?

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

which intake plug? lol definitly doesnt sound like an ideal way, then again doing it with the rad cap off if its got a lot of air in it then it sprays a waterfall of coolant all over the side of the car

i got it from fortes through 5speedtransmission.com

they had no solution for connecting to my speedo so it hasnt been hooked up.
plan is to just build an aftermarket gauge cluster because i need a better then stock tach anyways, so ill find something thatll work with the transmission

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

i dont have a lot of emission equipment on my car, so a 1/2" plug up by the water-neck worked fine.

What do you mean they had no solution? did it not work properly, like mine, or they had noting at all? i kinda need a speedo to pass my inspections.

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

got help off another message board, you can run it with the cap off with no porblem and once the thermostat opens up itll start flowing through the motor, just fill as needed. I just did it and it worked great.

i mean the connector for an electric speedo doesnt attach to the connector on the transmission being a ford transmission.

on their website it lists an adapter but when i asked them about that the guy who used to own that company (think it got sold to someone else last year) said they didnt actually have an adapter.

so ive just been running without a speedo

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

Jack the front of the car up about a foot or more so that
the front of the motor is higher than rear. Leave the coolant
level a little low but can see it in the neck.
Start the car and wait for stat to open, let it run for awhile
while it bubbles out.
I also (gently) squeeze the hoses once warmed up to help. Opposite of gently is face full of hot water:)

They use to use this method for the Vettes because of the
low radiator mounting and angle.
Or you can wait till it airs out evensually into the coolant
bottle and then add water when it cools down:lmao:

later:)

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

ya i started it up, let it run for about a minute and there was no air bubbling, the return line just had a steady flow of coolant, the heads and everything should still be full of coolant just the bottom of the block is empty.

topped it up and let it run for another minute, and coolant level didnt drop at all.

worked good, and i also ran the heater full blast encase any air got into the heater core

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

Did you run it long enough for the thermostat to open? After it does you will need to add more coolant.

Re: method for filling empty rad
 

I always like to drill a small 1/16 or so hole in body of the thermostat. Helps get the air out so coolant doesn't puke all over when the stat opens letting out a big air bubble.