yep agreed front of the car is best jacked up on jackstands - we raised the height of the jackstands from minimum to about half way of the full range.

 

I have used the billman bleeding procedure a few times now on level ground. The results have always been awesome! When complete, I can’t hold my hands in front the heater vent for more than a few seconds. I literally feel like me hands will be Burnt!

 

Another thing I forgot to mention - does anyone think it makes a difference if my car was parked up for 18 months (for restoration) with coolant drained out and radiators removed ?

 

I close the bleeder nipple after I see a full stream of coolant. I clean up the coolant in that area before starting the car. I never touch the bleeder again after that step.

Turn the heater to full blast when you turn on the car.

No. It doesn't matter.

 

Look and make sure your heater control cable is physically moving the little valve on the heater hose all the way. You could have someone turn the knob from hot to cold and back and make sure it’s not binding or getting stuck.

 

yep checked that and yes when on full hot the cable pushes outwards and the valve opens all the way.

something else came to mind though - would it be a problem for bleeding the air out, if the new thermostat was fitted incorrectly?? ie. with the little hole on the thermostat on the lower side instead of at the top like it should be - I’ve tried bleeding it that many times without success- now I’m thinking there must be something else

 

Maybe post a video of how you're doing the bleeding process so we can see? I have also used this method a bunch of times and it worked perfect.

 

Yes a lot of people have tried this method and swear by it - but I presume most of them won't have had their car on ramps for 18 months with all coolant drained with radiators off. Also I have AC fitted which I presume has no impact on bleeding the coolant / heater temps - all the gas is empty at the moment in the AC system.
I can video from the point of having topped up with coolant - via funnel in situ and half full - bleeder nipple open until coolant emerges and then closed off - engine started up with heater on full hot and max fan speed - till cooling fan has kicked in once - and starting the first cycle of opening bleed nipple and seeing what comes out 30 secs max - squeeze upper rad hose before closing bleed nipple off - repeat again with 2 mins idling.

 

Tried uploading a video but file size is limited on here - I’ll try uploading to YT and posting a link.

 

I highly recommend getting a Lisle funnel for this. They work great. The last time I had to bleed mine I just used the funnel. Still do the first steps as Billman explains, but then you just fill up the funnel, keep it running, check the heat like he says, but the funnel is a great assistant for this and will help you get it bled.