I am getting close to having my Stang back together.

This weekend I started getting the fenders back on after putting in the new battery tray, reinstalling the radiator, putting the wires back where they go, etc, etc.

I am waiting on a part from NPD so that I can attach the new transmission lines to the radiator and a spring for the lower radiator hose. These minor items were beyond help and needed replacing so I ordered them and they should be here about Wednesday.

My question is what's the best plan when I get ready to refill the radiator / cooling system. Do I fill the radiator full, fill the overflow to the "cold line" on the overflow tank and then check the levels after running it at idle for a few minutes?

I thought I had read something about bleeding the cooling system. I have heard of bleeding brakes but the cooling system...I have never heard of that, if required how do I do so?

 

If you have a good thermostat (like a high-flow style or a Ford replacement), it will have a bleed hole in it that will allow you to fill the cooling system without worrying much about air pockets. However, most off the shelf t-stats aren't that great and won't have a bleed hole.

Assuming you don't have a bleed hole in your t-stat, fill the cooling system up to within 1" of the top of the radiator and set the radiator cap on, but don't turn it at all. Run the car to warm it up and keep an eye on the coolant periodically. When the thermostat opens, you'll probably get a good air-burp up through the radiator. When you hear this, or when you notice the coolant level dropping, add more. You should be able to see coolant flowing in the radiator towards the upper hose outlet. Once the radiator is just about full, put the cap back on and tighten it.

Fill the overflow to the cold line. Some of it will probably get sucked back into the radiator once things cool down, so refill it in the morning.

 

Yep- these take most of the work out of filling the cooling system:

 

Its really more the newer cars you need to worry about bleeding the cooling system. The problem is usually that the top of the radiator is below the top of the engine so the air wont just go the the radiator like our cars do.