11-03-2024, 08:46 AM | #1 |
Drives: Chevy Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: CT
Posts: 29
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New Motor Coolant Filling
The new motor is in and ready to be filled with coolant. Obviously there is not a drop of coolant in the system. What’s the best way to fill and avoid air in the system.
I have heard about vacuum filling, but have never done it. Watched a couple videos. Seems like a lot of stress on the hoses compressing them flat. Would greatly appreciate your suggestions. If vacuum filling is the preferred way, any suggestions on a brand of tool. Thanks! |
11-03-2024, 11:09 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro 2ss/rs, 2008 Avalanche Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Lake Pannasoffkee,Florida
Posts: 270
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I followed someone else's post,don't remember who,and filled the system through the top radiator hose ! Worked like a charm ,no issues.
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2010 Rally Yellow 2ss/rs , M6 ,416ci , K1 rods & crank,weisco -3.0cc dome pistons,.040 head gasket, 11.5 compression,1 3/4" LT ,3" pipes w/x-pipe no cats, Cam Motion cam 239/247 113+3 .621"/604" lift , BTR .660 Platinum dual springs w/Titanium retainers, CAI . Stock ls3 heads,intake,injectors & TB. 515rwhp/500rwtq.
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11-03-2024, 12:51 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2020 Ram 2500, 2005 C6 Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 11
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Top radiator hose is the way to go. Fill and start engine. Wait for thermostat to open and refill as needed.
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2013 640/607 on E
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11-03-2024, 05:49 PM | #4 |
Drives: Chevy Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: CT
Posts: 29
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That’s how I have typically done it. I use the burp funnel on the radiator fill neck, tilt the car so the front end is the high point. Have had good success with this method, even with BMWs that are notorious for being hard to get all air pockets out.
The main reason for the question is because the guys at Jennetty Racing (where I bought the motor) were emphatic to vacuum fill it. |
11-04-2024, 10:39 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Palm Bay, FL
Posts: 2,893
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I fill the radiator and use steam port return hose to fill the heads and block. Filling using the upper hose works too, but you can only get so much in there because you have to be able to put the hose back on. The steam port line is small and slow, but it might take an extra five minutes. I have several funnels including one small enough to stuff in the hose.
I usually start it and let it idle for a while before driving as I have had temps spike due to an air pocket when I just took off after replacing all the coolant. If you fill the overflow, it will pull some of that back into the radiator when it cools. Once it cools, you just top of the radiator and it's good to go.
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2010 SS - Kind of an On3 kit, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes.
2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes. |
11-26-2024, 07:57 AM | #6 |
Drives: Chevy Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: CT
Posts: 29
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FWIW…. I decided to try the OEM 24444 vacuum filler. WOW…. I’ll never fill another car any other way. It was done in 5 minutes (maybe less) and the level was spot on. Easiest fill I have ever done. highly recommend.
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11-26-2024, 12:24 PM | #7 | |
Quote:
He came over and mentioned that none of his employees use his new vacuum filling system because they were scared of it... He rolled it over and helped me get it set up for me. He mentioned it fills super fast, with no air pockets and you can also check to see if you have any leaks before any coolant is in the system. Plus it cant over fill the system. It was weird at first when you seen the system pull vacuum in the lines and all the hoses collapse, but let the system sit for a minute and watched the vacuum gauge to see if we lost any vacuum. It all looked good so I put the feed hose in the coolant bottle and he opened the valve... The bottle was empty in seconds. We got the whole system filled in about 2 minutes. No air bubbles, no leaks, been at the perfect level since! Amazing system!
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2013 1SS/1LE
Corsa Extreme cat-back, Speed Engineering LT Headers with black ceramic coating, C7 Z06 Front Brake Upgrade, Custom Mishimoto Oil Cooler, BMR Tunnel Brace, Custom Dual Mishimoto Oil Catch Cans, MSD Plug Wires, Mishimoto Radiator and Hoses, Melling High Volume/High Flow Oil Pump, Improved Racing Oil Pan Baffle Kit, Improved Racing Oil Pressure Bypass Delete, Improved Racing Oil Pick-up Tube Clamp. |
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12-02-2024, 07:40 AM | #8 |
Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Vance Alabama
Posts: 8,054
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I've always filled thru the radiator cap. Never had a problem
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Retired wanna be cylinder head porter
2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter, stage 4 cam Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X |
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