LT1 cooling problems

[Fillpot]

Guy's having hell trying to get air out of my 95 lt1 cooling system,the motor has a new thermostat,had the radiator checked,good cap,pulled cover off of front of waterpump, impeller working fine,tryed all of the pleading procedures far as bleading from the bleader on the thermostat housing any more ideas guys about to pull my hair out!THANKS!

[WS6]

What car is this engine in?

Also, have you verified your temp gauge? I had issues with a "cooling problem" after replacing my stock radiator with an OEM replacement. I tried everything. I was so furious because my gauge was reading better when I had the broken and leaking radiator in there. Well, it turned out to be the temp gauge and an Auto Zone piece wasn't correct for it either. Switched back to a GM sender and everything is peachy now.

[camaro608]

What car is this engine in?

Also, have you verified your temp gauge? I had issues with a "cooling problem" after replacing my stock radiator with an OEM replacement. I tried everything. I was so furious because my gauge was reading better when I had the broken and leaking radiator in there. Well, it turned out to be the temp gauge and an Auto Zone piece wasn't correct for it either. Switched back to a GM sender and everything is peachy now.

agreed we need more info to help you out.. what car is the motor in have you burped the coolent? you do know lt1's have a reverse cooling system... just trying to narrow things down

[Fillpot]

Sorry guy's stepped out for some more bleeding still no result thou,the car is a 69 camaro,have tried everything,the car is burbing so much water out that it will blow the top off the catch can.Speaking of the catch can this one is a cheap one from auotzone just courious if this could be some of the problem not sure what one for a lt1 should look like.THANKS AGAIN!

[Boulder69]

I feel your pain. I had a hard time getting all of the air out of mine last spring after another (f-ing) opti swap. Same deal as you until finally it all settled down. I just kept making small trips in the neighborhood and got it home before things got too hot. I got a ton of air out after the first go by putting a ton of rags around the thermo housing and carefully opening the bleeder with thick gloves on while the motor was still warm. A lot of air and a bit of coolant - be careful. Probably not the smartest thing but it worked.

I made sure there was always coolant in the overflow to draw back instead of air when it cooled. I think on about the 6th time it finally burped out the air because it pulled back almost 2/3 of a full overflow tank. All good since then and coolant level has stayed the same.

Good luck. Remember it's a hobby and supposed to be fun. But sometimes....

[Fillpot]

Any more ideas out there guys,been at this all day still no luck.THANKS!

[SSTuner]

I read that their is a procedure/setup on the web that entails putting a vacuum into the system and drawing the coolant into the system. Very similiar to what those quick oil change stores use.

[WS6]

is your catch can vented and is your radiator cap working correctly? Are any of the heater hoses higher than the bleeder on the thermo housing? The LT1 Fbodies have multiple bleeders because the heater hoses are higher than the thermo housing. The vettes don't have this setup.

Has this setup ever cooled correctly or is this the first time it's been back together and running?

[Fillpot]

Done a leak down test today,that did not turn out so well,thought I would go ahead and pull it down so as I was pulling the plugs and I had a lot of water that came out of a cylinder,so any way looks like it's head gasket time,well that kind of explains why i couldn't bleed the dam thing,will keep ya'll posted.THANKS!

[WayneE]

That sucks about the headgasket :( Was this a fresh rebuild?

[Fillpot]

No wayne,I bought the car as a project with the motor and trans in it,I just had to finish some wiring and fuel issue's.At least I no what's wrong with the car now so I can get this thing fixed.THANKS!

[oldskoolcaprice]

I'm glad it worked out for you. But, FYI the LT-1's love to get HOT. So, make sure you've got a really good dual fan setup. Sometimes the factory fans that came with the LT-1 are good enough. I had to switch to a couple 13"rs to draw in ample cfm, since the old ones were crapping out. Good luck to you, in your new endeavor.