Of all the things I've done to my cars, I have never had to replace a radiator. From my original thread you all know I had a chevy 3 core in there that wouldn't let the hood close all the way. So I found a nice heavy duty, 3 row, aluminum cores, radiator (Found a guy in so Cal with quality rads for decent prices if anyone is interested, PM me). Its metal sides/mounting tabs, plastic top and bottom, but feels pretty solid compared to some of the cheap crap I have seen come off ebay. Lifetime warranty too. I am putting an electric puller fan on there. Should be pretty cool.

So for the stupid question of the week, what's the easiest way to purge the air out of the system?

Update: 11/10/08 Thanks all for your help! Got her all installed today, burped like a baby and no issues all day. Radiator alone kept it at about 175 degrees at a stand still, with no fan. Flipped the fan on and she purrs at a steady 145 degrees.

Heres some pics:

Radiator:


In the truck:


Dummy Switch - Didn't install thermo switch yet. Don't know if I will.



Finally her hood closes all the way. Aint she pertty!?

 

after replaced, fill to the appropriate level and elevate the front of your vehicle, wheel ramps, on a hill, etc. start your engine and just wait for it to burp, as the air escapes, refill accordingly.
i believe this is correct.
im not sure if there is a bleed screw or if u just wanna leave the cap off.

 

Thanks axman! I didn't see a bleed plug/valve. Looks pretty cool. Anyone else confirm this?

 

once it gets to operating temp open the cap and it will "burp" the air bubbles out..then fill it up a little bit more

 

Wont that blow up in my face at op temp?! Do it on hill like axman said?

 

grab a towel to put over it and maybe a longsleve shirt if your that worried.
Thats the method i've always heard...and yeah, sounds like itll blow up in your face....but if you have a towel folded up, like a bath towel...it shouldnt be to much of a worry.
If you dont trust me, wait for someone else to chime in...

 

the cap can be left off before it gets to running temp, therefore it would just boil over, worse case scenario
it will begin to burp before it reaches running temp

 

Right on guys. I trust you scuba. I found so many mixed up answers through google. There is some d-bags on the internet giving advice, I'll tell you what.

 

Hmm..that looks exactly like the one I got from NAPA.....

But yeah, to purge, just do what the other folks said. Towel/rag+long sleeve+thick gloves. Just to be on the safe side.

 

If your talking about Pirate4x4....then...been there done that...as with many...
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=730590

That kid t_bone is actually a member here...

 

How much did you pay?

 

$150. and some change. How much was yours?

 

$113.00 out the door. I feel pretty good about it because it has a life time warranty, and if it starts pissing all over the place, I just drive it back to him. I don't have to deal with shipping and bad customer service. If anyone needs his number he has all kinds of options. I didn't get a shady vibe either like most operations nowadays.

 

oh. $113 is not bad! NAPA had like 4 of them in stock and I was already expecting to pay 150+ for a radiator. Things are more expensive up here anyways...

 

Yeah I hear ya. I lived in a mtn town here in so Cal and Napa raped everyone because they were the only gig in town. They were always pretty cool about returns though. At least you have the same peace of mind as me.

Changing the subject, what do you guys think about running an electric fan? Any brands, suggestions? Obviously I don't want to go cheap on cooling, but I don't want a $300 setup.

 

Added new pics at top! bumpski.