[LynnBob 65 Mustang]

I'm getting the engine ready to get back in the car and I want to get some coolant back into the block as it is pretty much bone dry now.

What is the best way to get the coolant into the engine while it is on the engine stand?

I did put the thermostat in and I don't want to take it back it out.

I thought about putting it the into the heater hose fitting on the intake and getting it in that way.

How much coolant will go into the block so I know it will be good for it's first start and have it be able to cycle the coolant through the system on it's first warm up?
Lynn

 

[Klutch]

People have many different methods for firs start up. Personally, I like to get the engine into the car, hook up all the hoses, then pour in straight water and leave the radiator cap off.

Right before I start the engine, I open the drain valve on the radiator, then put a garden hose into the top of the radiator with a trickle of water coming out. Alternately, you could pour in distilled water and just keep pouring it into the top once in awhile as it drains out the bottom.

The reason for doing this is:

- If a hose blows or there's a leak, I don't get antifreeze everywhere. It's just water

- Breaking in a cam properly requires the engine to run at just over 2,000 RPM for just over 20 minutes. With the car sitting still, this creates a LOT of heat. Draining water out of the bottom of the radiator while adding it at the top provides a constant source of cold water to help keep everything cool. (Although, the headers will still likely glow red!)

Once the break-in is complete and I confirm there are no leaks, I add antifreeze. You can do this multiple ways to ensure you get a 50/50 mix. I typically drain the radiator, then add enough straight antifreeze to mix with the water in the block, then add 50/50 to top it off.

I can't think of any reason to put coolant or water into the engine before you install it into the car.

 

[IDSRVIT]

New one on me.... I've done 6 engines myself and helped with probably another 6 but never once put antifreeze in the block prior to installing the engine in the car.

What are the pros of doing this? i can think of a bunch of cons.

 

[jdub]

What is the best way to get the coolant into the engine while it is on the engine stand?

The best way is not to do this.

 

[dm289]

I usually install the engine, fill the radiator and then start the engine with the radiator cap off and bottle of 50/50 anti-freeze near the car. As the car warms up I slowly add fluid, once the thermostat opens the level usually drops quickly, I top it off to within 1" and then put the cap on... system is bled... Once the car is cool, I take off the cap to release any trapped air and forget about it...

 

[LynnBob 65 Mustang]

I'm just asking, because in my mind it doesn't seem good to start up the engine with nothing in it and have it get too hot to quick.

So you guys are saying just put the engine in as is with nothing in it, have everything hooked up, and then add the coolant/water into the radiator and let the engine fill itself, while running, and then top the system off as needed during the initial start up?

Lynn

 

[MrRon1]

yes

 

[Klutch]

I'm just asking, because in my mind it doesn't seem good to start up the engine with nothing in it and have it get too hot to quick.

So you guys are saying just put the engine in as is with nothing in it, have everything hooked up, and then add the coolant/water into the radiator and let the engine fill itself, while running, and then top the system off as needed during the initial start up?

Lynn

Yep. I put in as much water as it will take before startup, then add more as necessary. If you're really concerned, you can leave the thermostat out and then install it after break-in. This would allow the block to get water or coolant before startup.

 

[LynnBob 65 Mustang]

Will do as directed.
Thanks guys,
Lynn

 

[jdub]

You should fill the block up through the heater hose provision in the intake manifold. I do not see any benefit to doing this with the engine out of the car.

 

[GNGREN]

You should fill the block up through the heater hose provision in the intake manifold. I do not see any benefit to doing this with the engine out of the car.

+1

The few that I have done I leave this hose disconnected while I fill the system and top it off through the hole. Then reconnect before I fire it up. Get rid of most of the air except through the heater core, but that don't take long.

 

[Woodchuck]

After everything is installed, place the front of the car on ramps, disconnect the heater hose from the manifold and hook the loose end so it stays higher than the radiator cap. Fill through the radiator opening until coolant starts to come from the intake manifold fitting. Replace the heater hose. Start the engine and let it reach operating temperature. When you see circulation in the radiator, add coolant until the level just covers the tubes and install the cap. When you are done running the engine, let it cool completely, return the car to level, add coolant to get a full level about 1/2" above the tubes.

 

[malarson]

After the engine is in the car and everything hooked up, take the heater hose off the fitting in the intake manifold, fill the radiator until water comes out the fitting - this will push all the air out, replace the hose and fill the radiator. Done.

I agree with using only water on initial startup, if you happen to have an intake leak and get water in the oil, it won't hurt it, but antifreeze will wipe out your bearings.

 

[GypsyR]

In my experience all you have to do is fill the radiator up as soon as it is hooked up. Busy yourself completing other hook ups. Periodically check on the coolant and top it up. Shouldn't take but a couple of times and the cooling system will be full. If you used a vented or check-valve type thermostat. If not you may need to do a final top up of the coolant as the engine warms up and the thermostat opens to allow full circulation.
I've started and run many an engine with no coolant at all in it. Key is that you have a very short time limit before the ability of the engine to soak up the excess heat without coolant is exceeded. If you think about it the coolant has zero function until parts of the engine actually gets too hot to touch.

 

[sanch052]

I would use distilled or straight water for the initial start up as well.

 

[70_Cougar]

In my experience all you have to do is fill the radiator up as soon as it is hooked up. Busy yourself completing other hook ups. Periodically check on the coolant and top it up.

What he said......and keep peeking under the car for leaks.