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Getting ready for a big trip and topped off the coolant.  Now when the engine is cold it is complete full.  Is there built in room for expansion or should drain a gallon or two?

Do you have an expansion tank with a sight glass? Coolant level should he half way up the sight glass.

Don't worry it will level it's self off the system is only 5 lbs pressure it will blow out probably before you leave your parking area ::) I always overfill and let the suckers find their own little happy place

Quote from: napamikey on August 18, 2014, 07:55:19 AM
Getting ready for a big trip and topped off the coolant.  Now when the engine is cold it is complete full.  Is there built in room for expansion or should drain a gallon or two?

Where ya goin Mikey on your big trip?

Headed up to the desert east of Reno.  I put in a new radiator and it took about 7 gallons extra after initial fill.  Then drove for about 30 miles and the next morning the coolant was still at the top.  There is no sight glass in tank so in the past I usually just topped it off on occasion.  I just thought it was odd it was still completely full and thought maybe I should drain a little to avoid over pressurizing the system.

Thanks for your input as always, you guys help me keep Matilda on the road!

 I don't have a sight glass on my surge tank either and i just do the same as Clifford has said. I do have a little lever/rod setup inside on the right for checking the level but it is frozen up and i have never bothered to fix it.  The way it works is to turn it a half turn and water will run out of a tube and let you know that you have at least that amount of water, ( whatever that is ), but doesn't tell you how much over that you have. 

Ed,you still at camp Interstate ?

Yes  we are Clifford, looks like it will be sometime next week before we are on the road again.