Is the coolant system self purging, or do you have to remove any possible air pockets/air locks after changing to the coolant on these engines. If so how would you go about purging the air from the coolant in a 64' 383?

 

to get most of the air out when you put in the t-stat. before you put it in fill the rad up till the coolant rises to the top of the gooseneck in the pump housing just below where the t-stat sits, then put in the stat, let the sealant dry for 10 min, then fill up the rad the rest of the way. drive the car w/ heater blowing. it will self purge , but doing it this way will get rid of all air pockets, then all you have is the small amount under the stat that wil purge out when the stat opens. then let it cool and top off the rad, all done.

 

If your thermostat doesn't have a bleed hole to allow the air to pass thru, it doesn't hurt to drill about a 3/16th hole thru the flat plate, NOT the moving part, of the new thermostat. Someone showed me to do that back in the 60's, and it's pretty well become a habit for me to do anytime I install a thermostat since.