Success!
After reassembly of fluids and oil and filter it fired up on about the third whirl. I was shocked and so were my neighbors when they heard my distinctive Fiat horn. We had a good laugh... I think they had bets it was headed to eBay.
I just got back from a spin around the block... I can't believe how well it's running. Lots of power and the turbo kicks in for a smooth boost. Not a drop of oil or antifreeze and the radiator bleeding seemed to go pretty well too. I don't have a bleeder bolt on my radiator hose T so I removed the side to the water pump and only a crack on top and squirted more coolant in the crack with a squeeze bottle and I was good to go. Now the directions were a little lacking there so I did my trick and it worked perfect. It heated up to operating temp and them the fan kicked on and cycled a couple times and off we went for a test drive. Gonna put a timing light on it for a perfect setting and I'm good to go. Remember the gentlemen who was well known in these circles. He always said life was good and now I know what he means. Life is good when you work hard and it comes together well. This project is just about done and I want to thank everyone for answering my questions.
One question about my battery... I replaced it in 2003 and it really only got 3 months use so do you think it's pooched from lack of use? I charged it an hour or so and it still gave me only a few starts. I put another in and it was fine.
Mark, now I going to save up for one of your exhaust systems.
Scott, look for my ride in the campus parking lot on Tuesday or Wednesday. Still one more good story way too dumb to tell on-line and it's a good one. I'll give you a tip... just because it's a hose under the hood it doesn't mean water is supposed to be in it. I'm laughing as I type.
Later,
Bill