Need cooling help please

Okay Gents! Back at it. I reinstalled everything and pressure tested...found a couple of hose clamps to tighten and then it held pressure!

I then pulled a vacuum to 25 and 15 minutes later we are at around 23-24. Is this watertight enough?
PXL_20250611_202211177~2.jpg
 

David Garton

Supporter
Okay Gents! Back at it. I reinstalled everything and pressure tested...found a couple of hose clamps to tighten and then it held pressure!

I then pulled a vacuum to 25 and 15 minutes later we are at around 23-24. Is this watertight enough?View attachment 147778
Mike Great job. Yes it will equalize and drop a bit but thats good. Now you put the adapter on and into a jug of premix coolant and distild water and open the gate valve sucking the new coolant into the system and filling the system with no air pockets.
 
With a coolant system, you will never get a system that will not bleed off vacuum wity regular rubber hoses and flexinox clamps "hose clamps". There will always be micro leaks that you may never notive that kinda of self seal by the glycol drying up in the void.

I believe you are good to fill up.
 
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Thank you guys, I appreciate the support. It has been ongoing since October 2023 when I started this task. Being near the car only part time and undergoing significant shoulder surgery has made it a challenge to continue the path down this rabbit hole.

As suggested, I will blend a mix of distilled water and antifreeze, let it sit at least overnight, and then fill it. Woot!

In the meantime time, we are off to see Elvis Costello play some of his early tunes tomorrow. One of my favorites...back in a few days.
 
Success?! I used the Airlift to pull the vacuum and put my coolant mixture in (just about 4 gallons). I also put in about 8 quarts of synthetic VR1 10-30 oil in the engine, inspected everything and started the process of firing it up. Sad that it hasn't run for a while, it took a bit of coaxing, but came to life and sounded great once it warmed up! I let it climb to temperature (about 95c where it seemed to level off after 5 minutes at a fast idle). It was a nice smooth slowish climb.

Post startup and run, while inspecting it top and bottom, I did find a small oil leak in a fitting at the block. Snugged it up and I will keep my eyes on it. I had to remove that connection to get the oil pan off way back when...

All is good!

Sadly, something has come up that we weren't ready for so we have to leave for a while. I won't have time to clean or wash it or drive it...bummer. When I get back though, this car goes for a drive.

After fixing the oil leak, and any surprises that come up during the drive, I will close this thread out. Thanks again for all the support!
 
With a coolant system, you will never get a system that will not bleed off vacuum wity regular rubber hoses and flexinox clamps "hose clamps". There will always be micro leaks that you may never notive that kinda of self seal by the glycol drying up in the void.

I believe you are good to fill up.
Good lord, I need to proofread when I use my phone!

Glad to hear you got everything up and going!
 
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