Q's about coolant, t-stat change and fan settings

[HEMI IN BAYVILLE]

I just ordered the motorad 2147 t-stat from Autozone. I also ordered 2 gal. of Zerex G-05 coolant. My questions are where is the radiator petcock? How many panels do I need to remove to get to it? What fan temp settings should I use with this thermostat? I have a predator installed already and put the fan settings back to stock but now I don't remember what they were before. Thanks for the help.

[fnkychkn]

PowerWagon896's LX Thermostat Changeout Video *

[HEMI IN BAYVILLE]

I've seen the video and read numerous articles on the t-stat swap but can't find any info on the coolant change.

[formerice]

I think that you might have to pull off lower hose.

[HEMI IN BAYVILLE]

Why is that? Isn't there a petcock of sorts like most other radiators? I don't know, that's why I'm asking.

[fnkychkn]

sorry, didn't read the part about the coolant change.

petcock is located at lower right rear corner of radiator.
engine block drain plugs are located approximately between the 2nd and 3rd cylinders on each bank. #1 in this pic:


use teflon paste (thread sealer) or thread tape to reseal the drain plugs.


filling method from FSM:

FILLING - GAS ENGINE



1 - BLEED VALVE 2 - HOSE

The use of aluminum cylinder blocks, cylinder heads and water pumps requires special corrosion protection. In order to maintain the required protection for these components and cooling system performance, only use the appropriate fluid (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES - DESCRIPTION) when servicing the vehicle. This coolant offers the best engine cooling without corrosion when mixed with 50% distilled water to obtain a freeze point of -37° C (-35° F). If it loses color or becomes contaminated, drain, flush, and replace with fresh properly mixed coolant solution.
WARNING: Make sure engine cooling system is cool before removing pressure cap or any hose. severe personal injury may result from escaping hot coolant. The cooling system is pressurized when hot.
NOTE: Cooling system fill procedure is critical to overall cooling system performance.

1. Close radiator draincock. Hand tighten only.</B>
2. Install engine block drain plugs, if removed. Coat the threads with Mopar® Thread Sealant with Teflon. WARNING: When installing drain hose to air bleed valve, route hose away from accessory drive belts, accessory drive pulleys, and electric cooling fan motors.
   NOTE: It may be necessary to install a bleed fitting on the 5.7L engine.
3. Attach a 1.5 - 2 m (4 - 6 ft.) long 6.35 mm (1/4 inch.) ID clear hose to bleeder fitting
   • Bleed Valve Location (2.7L):</B> Located on the water outlet connector at the front of engine .
   • Bleed Valve Location (3.5L):</B> Located on the lower intake manifold, left of center and below the upper intake plenum.
   • Plug Location (5.7L/6.1L):</B> Located on the front of the water outlet housing at the front of engine.
4. Route hose (2) away from the accessory drive belt, drive pulleys and electric cooling fan. Place the other end of hose (2) into a clean container. The hose will prevent coolant from contacting the accessory drive belt when bleeding the system during the refilling operation. NOTE: It is imperative that the cooling system air bleed valve be opened before any coolant is added to the cooling system. Failure to open the bleed valve first will result in an incomplete fill of the system.
5. 5.7L/6.1L ENGINE - Install a threaded and barbed fitting (1/4 - 18 npt) into water pump housing.
6. Attach Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel to pressure bottle filler neck .
7. Using hose pinch-off pliers, pinch overflow hose (3) that connects between the two chambers of the coolant bottle (2).
8. Open bleed fitting. CAUTION: Do not mix coolants. If coolant is used other than specified, a reduction in corrosion protection will occur.
9. Pour the antifreeze mixture (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES - DESCRIPTION) into the larger section of Filling Aid Funnel (the smaller section of funnel is to allow air to escape). For system capacity, (Refer to 7 - COOLING - SPECIFICATIONS).
10. Slowly fill the cooling system until a steady stream of coolant flows from the hose attached to the bleed valve.
11. Close the bleed valve and continue filling system to the top of the Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel.
12. Remove pinch-off pliers from overflow hose.
13. Allow the coolant in Filling Funnel to drain into overflow chamber of the pressure bottle.
14. Remove Tool 8195, Filling Aid Funnel. Install cap on coolant pressure bottle.
15. Remove hose from bleed valve.
16. 5.7L/6.1L ENGINE - Install fitting into thermostat housing. Coat the threads with Mopar® Thread Sealant with Teflon.
17. Start engine and run at 1500 - 2000 RPM for 30 minutes. NOTE: The engine cooling system will push any remaining air into the coolant bottle within about an hour of normal driving. As a result, a drop in coolant level in the pressure bottle may occur. If the engine cooling system overheats and pushes coolant into the overflow side of the coolant bottle, this coolant will be sucked back into the cooling system ONLY IF THE PRESSURE CAP IS LEFT ON THE BOTTLE. Removing the pressure cap breaks the vacuum path between the two bottle sections and the coolant will not return to cooling system.
18. Shut off engine allow it to cool down for 30 minutes. This permits coolant to be drawn into the pressure chamber.
19. With engine COLD, observe coolant level in pressure chamber. Coolant level should be within MIN and MAX marks. Adjust coolant level as necessary. NOTE: The coolant bottle has two chambers. Coolant will normally only be in the inboard of the two. The outboard chamber is only to recover coolant in the event of an overheat or after a recent service fill.
    

[HEMI IN BAYVILLE]

WOW! Thanks, just what I needed.

[DarthCharger]

I am bookmarking this post for sure!! Thanks dude.

[Bornagainultimatum]

FNKYCHKN to the rescue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oiler1fan]

Anyone know the size of the tool required to remove the bleed plug on the front of the water pump? A Torx T-40 is too small and Torx T-45 is too big - unless mine is damaged. Also do you access the engine block drain plugs from above or below?

[bklynmag]

Regarding the engine drain plugs. . .you access from below .

[tecmopar]

Mine is a T-40 and it does look to be original.

[oiler1fan]

Thanks - then I guess I'm buggered. A T-40 turns in the fitting, so I'll just pull my thermostat when I do the coolant change and fill there instead.