Why can I only get 5 quarts into the main coolant reservoir? When filling, I fill very slow (no I don't have the Lisle spill free funnel) with the TB coolant hose detached and all caps undone. I'm pumping the radiator hose to try to burp the system. I haven't seen coolant come out of the TB coolant line and obviously with only 5 quarts the system isn't full. What am I doing wrong and how can I fix it?

 

did you let the motor warm up first so that the t-stat can open?

 

sounds like the t-stat has open up and draw in the coolant. Let it warm up and once the t-stat open up it should suck in alot more coolant.

-AzEKnightz

 

Get one and your life will be easier. I think I bough mine off amazon for $20. Well worth it IMO.

 

How long do I need to run the car to confirm the t-stat has opened to draw in the current? From the Big Coolant Stiicky it says "95C (203F): fully warm. Thermostat is fully open, not bypassing the radiator at all." I was following Rob Robinette's guide to run the car for 3 minutes with full heat on to cycle the coolant and help get any air out. That does not seem long enough to fully heat up and have the t-stat full open.

If I didn't drain the block by remove the coolant drain plug below the spark plugs, should it only take 6 quarts to refill the system? I would be a lot less concerned about running the car for an extended period of time if I knew it was almost full and just needed topped off vs. missing 2 quarts.

I will definitely pick up one of those Lisle funnel before I drain the coolant again.

 

Thats probably getting close. I put a little over 2 gal in mine bone dry during my rebuild.

Don't be afraid to drive it around, just keep some coolant on you and top it off. Your buzzer will go off if you hit a big air pocket, just pull over and top it off. Might take a day or two to get all the air pockets out.

+1 on the lisle funnel, makes it a lot easier and you're not spilling coolant everywhere.