[Zenbiker]

I'm ready to put coolant back in the motor after full draining and changing the water pump to the late model unit. I also put in a 160 degree thermostat without drilling holes in the edges. My question is when I fill the radiator and the thermostat is closed The intake manifold is empty won't fill until the thermostat opens and will the the heads get too hot before the thermostat opens?...Joe

 

[Elvis (Hemicide)]

I did that once on a 440 that I had just put back in my 70 GTX, the thermostat didn't allow water to fill the block and heads. My first sign something was wrong was the oil and paint was burning off the heads. I shut the motor down, and it moaned and groaned like and old pirate ship in the movies. Luckily all steel block and heads, and it didn't go on long enough to damage anything.

 

[Adrian]

I'm ready to put coolant back in the motor after full draining and changing the water pump to the late model unit. I also put in a 160 degree thermostat without drilling holes in the edges. My question is when I fill the radiator and the thermostat is closed The intake manifold is empty won't fill until the thermostat opens and will the the heads get too hot before the thermostat opens?...Joe

Joe
Just leave the cap off while you are warming up and when the thermostat opens you will add coolant as you need. This won't hurt a thing or get hot.

Adrian

 

[Zenbiker]

Adrian....Thanks, as usual, for your sage advice. Am looking forward to seeing you in Dyersburg....Joe