VCCA Home Forums Thread Like Summary - 33 Master coolant question

Hi,
I recently had the head rebuilt on my 33 Master 206c.i. After reassembly, flushing, and filling the coolant I have a concern. When driving and the coolant comes up to temperature, it rises to the level of the overflo tube in the top tank. When cool, it drops back to a lower level as expected.
My question is, how is the air purged from the head when refilling the coolant? I filled coolant thru the radiator and the level rises from the bottom, thru the block. Does this remove all the air from the head passages?
It seems the level changes a lot from temperature / expansion. I'm concerned that there may be air trapped in the head.

Thanks in advance for any info you may provide.

Doug

From my experiance I disagree.

I've ALWAYS had ethylene glycol antifreeze in my '29 and never had a problem.
I know others have, but not me.
The article says the problem is due to, and can be cured with the water pump.
That implies that if you have a packing style pump in very good condition, you shouldn't have a problem either.

I live in Canada, but I know that it DOES freeze as far south as Florida and Texas.
Experience here has shown that even the SLIGHTEST frost can and will severely crack a block or head.
In fact, for some reason, more engines seemed to suffer cracks when there was 1 degree of frost, than when there was 4 or 5 degrees of frost.
Some thought that it was because the 1 degree frosts often lasted for hours and had more time for the ice to expand, which did more damage than a sudden but short 4 or 5 degrees.

Long story short, I NEVER trust leaving water without antifreeze in any engine.

I always use antifreeze in all of my old Chevrolet cars and always have with no issues! I would not run straight water for any length of time. Antifreeze has anti rust and corrosion additives plus it raises the boiling point of the coolant! I currently have a '33, a '37, and a '48 all have had permanent antifreeze in them for the last 40 years with no problems at all! Before that I have had a '31, a '32, and a '42 and used antifreeze in them also with no problems.