NSW Corvettes

Technical Tips => Radiators - Cooling => Topic started by: Lefty on September 12, 2013, 01:50:42 PM

Title: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on September 12, 2013, 01:50:42 PM
Just a quick stupid question
The vet radiator is installed on an incline, assuming I want to get 100% liquid in the radiator and no air how do you do it. There is always air in mine as the top tank is higher than the lowest part of the radiator cap, is the a secret or do you fill it up on a big hill?
Cheers

Lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Jethro on September 12, 2013, 04:24:19 PM
Used to be a real pain for me to so I modified my thermostat housing, drilled and tapped a bleed screw to it so as to bleed all the air out of cooling system at the highest point.

Works like a treat  :thumb:

(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/jetrhottracey/20130813_195056.jpeg) (http://s261.photobucket.com/user/jetrhottracey/media/20130813_195056.jpeg.html)

Jethro
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Scott on September 13, 2013, 08:41:06 AM
Some people add a new filling point to the top hose.  I have also seen thermostat covers with the fill cap mounted in the top.
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on September 13, 2013, 10:46:22 AM
thanks for the feeback, makes sense. my 24 has a plug on the upperr hose and works well. ill check out the hole in the thermostat housing, this may help.

cheers,


lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: StephenSLR on September 13, 2013, 12:17:33 PM
Is there an option to install a coolant overflow reservoir?

This way when the coolant heats and expands it goes into the reservoir taking the air with it, when it cools down and shrinks it draws only coolant from the reservoir ... provided the coolant hose is at the top of the rad.

s

Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: gtc on September 14, 2013, 06:55:06 PM
I have also seen thermostat covers with the fill cap mounted in the top.

That's what I have. Needed a few mm machined off its base to fit under the air cleaner.
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: bfit on September 15, 2013, 08:20:28 AM
Is there an option to install a coolant overflow reservoir?

This way when the coolant heats and expands it goes into the reservoir taking the air with it, when it cools down and shrinks it draws only coolant from the reservoir ... provided the coolant hose is at the top of the rad.

s






Yes fit an expansion tank , BB vehicles have them
With a air bleed line fom top RH radiator tank to expansion tank
Bfit
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: StephenSLR on September 15, 2013, 09:16:55 AM
assuming I want to get 100% liquid in the radiator and no air

Ideally you want to eliminate all the air in the radiator. 

Rust forms at the air / liquid interface.

s

Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on September 15, 2013, 07:42:01 PM
Many thanks,
Had a minor issue with heater hose last weekend which lead to the question. Have filled the car and it did self bleed, which was good, ow holding temperature well, bypassed the heater so the small hose outlet from the water pump goes straight into the thermostat housing (these are different diameters?). I don't think the vet needs any heating, any time of the year, the internal temperature always is warm.

Keen to install the hole to the thermostat or buy one pre done, in the near future.

Many thanks to all for responses.

Lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on September 16, 2013, 08:54:26 PM
I found this recently. I was looking for information on Evans waterless coolant after seing it on jay lenos garage. I'm concerned about summer temps and maintaining cooling. Interesting read.

http://www.norosion.com/evanstest.htm (http://www.norosion.com/evanstest.htm)

Cheers,

Lefty

Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: bfit on September 16, 2013, 09:08:29 PM
Interesting read
I use a Nulon product
I find it good with aluminium radiator no over heating issues at all
With DeWitt radiator & fan set
Bfit
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Jethro on September 16, 2013, 09:28:11 PM
I found this recently. I was looking for information on Evans waterless coolant after seing it on jay lenos garage. I'm concerned about summer temps and maintaining cooling. Interesting read.

http://www.norosion.com/evanstest.htm (http://www.norosion.com/evanstest.htm)

Cheers,

Lefty



Lefty,

The thing I've found with temps and corvette is that corvette aren't really designed for great air flows through the front end so you need to ensure all air is being drawn/ channelled  in through the radiator and not being wasted inefficiently though easier paths i.e all the other ares. Just me 2cents worths
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: bfit on September 16, 2013, 09:32:09 PM
Lefty,

The thing I've found with temps and corvette is that corvette aren't really designed for great air flows through the front end so you need to ensure all air is being drawn/ channelled  in through the radiator and not being wasted inefficiently though easier paths i.e all the other ares. Just me 2cents worths


Ok Jethro
Where did you cut and past that from
A bit to accurate for ranger at this time of night
Bfit
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: bfit on September 16, 2013, 09:33:33 PM
Lefty
What year is your vette
Bfit
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Camo on September 16, 2013, 09:36:43 PM
If you change fluids just make sure the system is flushed completely and I do mean completely.  Chemicals can do funny things to the ph when mixed.
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Jethro on September 16, 2013, 09:39:55 PM

Ok Jethro
Where did you cut and past that from
A bit to accurate for ranger at this time of night
Bfit

Nah skl of hard knocks here Bobby trust me but you got me on accurate, I had to get Tracey to spell check me on inefficiently. your a fooker Tonto
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: bfit on September 16, 2013, 09:51:56 PM
If you change fluids just make sure the system is flushed completely and I do mean completely.  Chemicals can do funny things to the ph when mixed.

True
Mix the wrong ones and sh_t hitting the fan comes to mind
Wrong combination u get corrosion pore cooling  flash boiling
Precipitation generating colloids in to the  solution causing blockages and water pump seal problems .
Flush and reflush
Any alumium in the system make Sure the coolant you use is compatible
And to make things difficult there are different aluminiums to cope with
Bfit 
 
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on September 17, 2013, 05:42:45 AM
Bfit, the vet is a 89 with a rhd conversion.

Lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on September 17, 2013, 05:43:27 AM
Sorry 79 with rhd conversion.

Lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: sirfixalot on October 26, 2013, 03:02:33 PM
To fully fill radiator park car uphill with R/hand wheels up on gutter or jack it up & run engine
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Lefty on October 27, 2013, 04:24:12 AM
Sir fix a lot,

I thought tha may be the case, just have to find a hill steep enough to allow the radiator core to achieve verticality?  Is this what you mean?

Cheers lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: sirfixalot on October 27, 2013, 05:45:24 AM
Outside my place works well or drive the car up on one car ramp in your garage
Title: Radiators
Post by: Lefty on March 14, 2014, 07:05:37 AM
Saw this link on another forum. It's an interesting read on radiators some may find useful?

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/14_rules_for_improving_engine_cooling_system_capability_in_high-performance_automobiles.htm (http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/14_rules_for_improving_engine_cooling_system_capability_in_high-performance_automobiles.htm)

Lefty
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: 69VETTE on March 14, 2014, 08:22:09 AM
Bloody hell, what a read... I'm more confused than ever now... didn't think it was this technical to fix a radiator heating problem...lol... :lol:
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: StephenSLR on March 14, 2014, 08:41:33 AM
Bloody hell, what a read... I'm more confused than ever now... didn't think it was this technical to fix a radiator heating problem...lol... :lol:

I agree!

It's more of a radiator design article, it's been a while since I've studied heat transfer, etc at uni and even I found it challenging (read snooze-worthy).  It's good to see that someone has taken the time to apply the science to a car application, it definitely would've made my study more interesting visualising cars instead of boilers.

Edit: I guess it depends on the boiler in question.

lol.

s
Title: Re: Filling radiator
Post by: Jethro on March 14, 2014, 09:15:39 PM
Bloody hell, what a read... I'm more confused than ever now... didn't think it was this technical to fix a radiator heating problem...lol... :lol:

That is until you have one bro ...