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#66531 09/27/2006 7:38 PM | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 578 | 59 1/2 T 235.
On another old vehicle site they say to only fill the rad till the top of the tubes are covered. They say the top of the rad is for expansion, and that if you fill it to the cap you are just wasting antifreeze.
Comments?
Also, what rad cap pressure should I look for when I get a new cap, and what temp thermostat.
I know I should look it up, but several times the hands-on experience of bolters is a little different than the manual. I always checkwith you guys.
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#66532 09/27/2006 8:16 PM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I keep mine about 3/8-1/2" below the cap, but I'm running an expansion tank with it. Probably about 1" below the cap would be fine if you don't have a tank. I'd keep with the stock 7 psi cap to prvent any problems with the rad, and a 180-185 t-stat. A 160 was used stock, that's what I'm running and haven't had any problems.
Try to stick to the green antifreeze, or the universal "add to any" type. The pink/orange stuf can be rough on older type water pumps that were not designed to use it.
Bill Burmeister
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#66533 09/28/2006 12:12 AM | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | That's a recomendation for an unpressurized system without an overflow bottle. My 38 is unpressurized and I fill it a little over core without problem. I run a 160 thermostat.
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#66534 09/28/2006 2:15 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | I'm with Tiny - a little over the core works for me with no overflow ever. I use a 7 pound cap. | | |
#66535 09/28/2006 2:32 AM | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I won't disagree, it's more like around 2-2 1/2" down from the neck. A little low to allow for expansion on a non-pressurized system or one without an overflow probably doesn't hurt. On the TFs, when filled to the spec for capacity, they are usually around an inch or so below the neck.
Bill Burmeister
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#66536 09/28/2006 3:21 AM | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,068 | Since mine are not show queens, I fill them up until full and let them self level the coolant. I hose off what pukes out and all is good,
Scott | | |
#66537 10/02/2006 3:02 AM | Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 81 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 81 | Installation of a $10 overflow bottle saves a lot of overflow and wasted antifreeze on the driveway. I run a 7 lb cap and put a little antifreeze in the bottle and never have to worry about radiator coolent level again as it takes care of itself!!! and this is in a Texas climate with over 100 degrees most of the summer...
Green Machine
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