[DeTomaso] Recap... Asa's adventure in Pantera fluid dynamics

[Asa Jay Laughton]

To recap:

- Pulled the thermostat, boil tested it, worked fine.
- Yes, it was installed -correctly-, that is with the spring and copper 
plug portion IN the block.
- Alternator belt was near 60 lb and turning the water pump properly.
- Pulled the belt and heater return hose, used tie-wrap inserted to 
water pump hole to validate impeller was turning.
- Filled the heater hose line while I had it off then installed it back 
to the pump.
- Began filling the block from the thermostat hole, it's big and it's 
currently open.
- Turned the water pump by hand to move fluid and expel some air; it is 
apparent the water pump is capable of moving the coolant.

At this point, the heads have no coolant in them, as they sit higher 
than the thermostat opening.  Filling the heater lines from the heater 
hose introduced an air pocket in the heater core, as I was filling from 
a higher location than the other hose and at some point the whole thing 
stopped filling, but nothing more came out the lower hose.  The car now 
sits.

Tomorrow, I'll install the upper pipe.  I'm not sure if I'm going to run 
with or without a thermostat yet.  At least I know I have two different 
thermostats that work.  But I do have questions, I'll set it up first.

I put nearly two gallons of coolant into the block tonight while turning 
the water pump by hand.

- Could I have blown off that much in steam?
- How many gallons does a typical Pantera take?  (Entire system, engine, 
pipes and radiator, all dry)

At this time, all that makes sense is a massive air pocket that at some 
point got stuck at the water pump, much as I don't want to believe it.

On another note, I'm taking my original overflow tank (you know... the 
one shot with the rust shotgun) to the shop that fixed my swirl tank 
water neck.  I'm going to see if they can do anything with it, after all 
it's not a pressure tank and I just can't bring myself to pay asking 
price for a replacement.

I'd like to thank everyone who continues to come up with great questions 
and ideas.  Though many of them have already been covered, I appreciate 
the fact you are thinking of so many possibilities.

Thank you,
Asa Jay

Asa Jay Laughton, MSgt, USAFR, Retired

& Shelley Marie
Spokane, WA

1971 Mach I Mustang  [ASA JAY]
1973 Pantera L 5533  [ASASCAT]
    
******************************     
http://www.asajay.com
http://www.teampanteraracing.com