Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant?? - NCRS Discussion Boards

Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

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  • Tom L.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • October 17, 2006
    • 1439

    Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

    In other posts I've voiced my concern about the temp of my big block w/ A/C (Not functioning but the condenser is in place). To review, I made a few changes over the wimter. Had the heads done to correct an oil issue, replaced a Kool-it water pump with a correct one, replaced my "functional replacement fan" with the correct "tipped" blade, painted my 6 year old aluminum radiator and cleaned the engine bay, pretty sure that's not the culprit.

    It cosnsitantly runs about 15* warmer and gets to 230* in stop and go traffic (with cockpit temps going up with it) but doesn't boil over and cools down once moving for a bit. Befoe the changes it never got over 210*. I'm thinking that perhaps I have air in the system, what's the best way to fill and check coolant level. I'd like to eliminate that as a cause. Thanks!!
  • Clem Z.
    Expired
    • January 1, 2006
    • 9427

    #2
    Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

    Originally posted by Lynn Larsen (46337)
    In other posts I've voiced my concern about the temp of my big block w/ A/C (Not functioning but the condenser is in place). To review, I made a few changes over the wimter. Had the heads done to correct an oil issue, replaced a Kool-it water pump with a correct one, replaced my "functional replacement fan" with the correct "tipped" blade, painted my 6 year old aluminum radiator and cleaned the engine bay, pretty sure that's not the culprit.

    It cosnsitantly runs about 15* warmer and gets to 230* in stop and go traffic (with cockpit temps going up with it) but doesn't boil over and cools down once moving for a bit. Befoe the changes it never got over 210*. I'm thinking that perhaps I have air in the system, what's the best way to fill and check coolant level. I'd like to eliminate that as a cause. Thanks!!
    remove the upper gooseneck and thermostat and fill the rad slowly till you see coolant coming out of the thermostat opening in the intake manafold. replace the thermostat and gooseneck and continue filling the rad. start the car without the rad cap and add coolant as the level drops

    Comment

    • Edward J.
      Extremely Frequent Poster
      • September 15, 2008
      • 6940

      #3
      Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

      Lynn, Is it possible the temp. gage may not reading correctly? Air pockets in the cooling system will generally work they way to the top after the car has had a few running cycles and rechecking the the level and adding is generally all you have to do, these cars have such a large quanity of coolant. they can be down a small amount will no problems. If you have a heater hose on the intake manifold it maybe easier to remove that than unbolt the housing for the themostat.
      New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.

      Comment

      • William C.
        NCRS Past President
        • May 31, 1975
        • 6037

        #4
        Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

        Tell more about the aluminum radiator? My '72 BB with A/C was a copper rad car, original on a Bowtie car, and yes it ran hot in traffic. What year is your car? Original rad?
        Bill Clupper #618

        Comment

        • Tom L.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • October 17, 2006
          • 1439

          #5
          Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

          The car is similar to yours, a '72 BB auto. w/ A/C. The radiator was installed by the last owner. I re-checked, it's 9 years old, not six. When I painted it I removed the tag so I can get you the manufacturer and part# if interested.

          I used Clem's method of filling the system, I was hoping I missed something or did something wrong. I ran the car until hot with the radiator cap removed again yesterday to re-check the coolant level again, it's right there. I have a couple of other ideas. The gauge is one of them. Thanks!

          Comment

          • Edward J.
            Extremely Frequent Poster
            • September 15, 2008
            • 6940

            #6
            Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

            Lynn, other than the gage, the only other thing that comes to mind is the reman water pump. It seems that the rebuilders use a impeller in the pump that is stamped steel instead of the cast iron impeller which is totally different design and have often wondered if the rebuilders impeller flow enough water for our corvettes. For the rebuiders to re-use the factory impeller it requires machining to use with the type of bearing used today, the factory water pump bearing has been long gone. Just food for thought, if all else fails maybe try the other pump you had installed and see what happens. Ed
            New England chapter member, 63 Convert. 327/340- Chapter/Regional/national Top Flight, 72 coupe- chapter and regional Top Flight.

            Comment

            • Clem Z.
              Expired
              • January 1, 2006
              • 9427

              #7
              Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

              Originally posted by Edward Johnson (49497)
              Lynn, other than the gage, the only other thing that comes to mind is the reman water pump. It seems that the rebuilders use a impeller in the pump that is stamped steel instead of the cast iron impeller which is totally different design and have often wondered if the rebuilders impeller flow enough water for our corvettes. For the rebuiders to re-use the factory impeller it requires machining to use with the type of bearing used today, the factory water pump bearing has been long gone. Just food for thought, if all else fails maybe try the other pump you had installed and see what happens. Ed
              there was a company that sold a brass disk that was pop riveted to these stamped steel impellers to improve their efficiency but i can remember the name like a lot of other things i can't remember.

              Comment

              • Clem Z.
                Expired
                • January 1, 2006
                • 9427

                #8
                Re: Best way to fill a C-3 big block with coolant??

                i found the item. http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...all/index.html

                Comment

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