Alex-chevy

Hello everyone,

I am getting ready to start my new 383 Lt1. The radiator and block have zero antifreeze in them. I poured 2 and a 1/2 gallons of antifreeze in to my water pump which is connected up to the radiator and engine. I read filling from the pump itself will fill the block first. The only thing is that my radiator is now 3/4 filled. This makes me wonder if any antifreeze went into the block. I've read the coolant for an Lt1 motor is 15.3 quarts. I've put in approximately 10 quarts now. Any thoughts?

Thank you!

VoyagerCamaro

What I always do is make sure the whole block and radiator is completely drained, fill up the block through the waterpump until your able to install the thermostat with out it forcing coolant out the top of the water pump, then fill the radiator until it's at the top, put the cap on fire the motor up bleed the system... Check coolant level add as needed.

Alex-chevy

Thanks very much!

shbox

Bleed as you fill. Don't wait to bleed after you fill.

Alex-chevy

What's wrong with bleeding after filling? I was under the assumption that was the way to go.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

Air pockets= hot spots, and it makes it more work for you to bleed after filling because those pockets of air may not surface for an extended period of time. It might take days before the system is completely bled.

What I've always done is opened both bleeder screws, start filling radiator until the t-stat bleeder starts bubbling coolant. Close that one and fill radiator until it's steady and about a 1/3 of the way down from the filler neck. Close bleeer screw on heater hose and start engine and monitor temp gauge and level via filler neck. I then watch the coolant return line from the heads that drains into the radiator (which is why I don't fill the radiator up completely). Once a steady stream starts coming out of it I fill the radiator the rest of the way and put cap on. I let the system build pressure and then check the t-stat bleeder. Usually the stream is steady and I close it back up and then open the bleeder screw on the heater hose to let the remaining air out of the system.

shbox

Because that is not the way you do it (even stated by GM procedure). Most of the air is purged during filling. I rarely have to do any bleeding after that. You trap air in the system if you don't bleed when filling.

Alex-chevy

Ok thanks for the help!

VoyagerCamaro

Sorry for the false info, I've always done mine the way I told you. Never knew it was wrong cause it never gave me any problems... Haha

Alex-chevy

No problem at all. I appreciate all the help. I want to find the GM procedure and read it. I am curious now.

shbox

What is on my website is basically the GM procedure.

Alex-chevy

Ok cool, thanks!

ACE1252

Several factory service manuals for download right here....

https://www.mediafire.com/?40mfgeoe4ctti

Prince Antonerio

[QUOTE=VoyagerCamaro;18981350]

Thanks man! I couldn't figure why mine was overheating but after using your method, he's colder than polar bear *****!

​​​​​​