Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

stevewhitmore · 08-12-2009, 07:36 PM

While installing my new headers, I had to remove the coolant sensor in the side of the block and lost most of my antifreeze in the process.
Question is, can I start the motor without this antifreeze without doing harm to the motor? Probrably a pretty dumb question, but not my first to ask you guys who have been great help in the past and I don't want to blow a motor
By the way, I used the Summit headers on my 69 as you suggested and they went on flawlessly.
Thanks for any guidance

fixit-p · 08-12-2009, 07:45 PM

You only lost the anti freeze that was above the plug I'm assuming on the head is so you still have coolant in the block top off the rad, start it up when the thermostat opens top off the rad again and you should be good.

Sinister · 08-12-2009, 07:46 PM

Edit: fixit-p's got you covered.

stevewhitmore · 08-12-2009, 07:52 PM

The radiator is full, I am just worried about the motor not having anything in it until the thermostat opens up, will it be ok starting it like that? Then I can refill the radiator
The sensor did go into the head above the plugs

Skirkpat · 08-12-2009, 08:00 PM

The engine will be fine. Just fill it up after you start it.

68shortstep · 08-12-2009, 08:04 PM

Don't know how cold it gets there in the winter, but I'd be sure & check the antifreeze for "how low can you go?" sometime this autumn before the snow flies...............

More than one motor ruined by people filling up with water in the summer & forgetting that.

stevewhitmore · 08-12-2009, 08:07 PM

Thanks everyone, now I gotta go start this thing up with peace of mind and see how she sounds

08-12-2009, 07:36 PM	#1
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers While installing my new headers, I had to remove the coolant sensor in the side of the block and lost most of my antifreeze in the process. Question is, can I start the motor without this antifreeze without doing harm to the motor? Probrably a pretty dumb question, but not my first to ask you guys who have been great help in the past and I don't want to blow a motor By the way, I used the Summit headers on my 69 as you suggested and they went on flawlessly. Thanks for any guidance

08-12-2009, 07:46 PM	#3
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers Edit: fixit-p's got you covered. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 08-12-2009 at 07:51 PM.

08-12-2009, 07:52 PM	#4
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Re: Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers The radiator is full, I am just worried about the motor not having anything in it until the thermostat opens up, will it be ok starting it like that? Then I can refill the radiator The sensor did go into the head above the plugs Last edited by stevewhitmore; 08-12-2009 at 07:58 PM. Reason: Note added

08-12-2009, 08:00 PM	#5
Skirkpat Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: K.C. Missouri Posts: 1,024	Re: Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers The engine will be fine. Just fill it up after you start it. __________________ 1969 Short Stepside 1969 4 WD Suburban 1970 1 Ton Dually....Misfit oh, and a 2001 HD 2500, 8.1 Allison Shortbed 4 Door

08-12-2009, 08:04 PM	#6
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers Don't know how cold it gets there in the winter, but I'd be sure & check the antifreeze for "how low can you go?" sometime this autumn before the snow flies............... More than one motor ruined by people filling up with water in the summer & forgetting that.

08-12-2009, 08:07 PM	#7
stevewhitmore Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Harpers Ferry, W VA Posts: 144	Re: Help-Lost my anti freeze installing headers Thanks everyone, now I gotta go start this thing up with peace of mind and see how she sounds



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