Engine has an airlock in the coolant system.

[mopar thunder]

I drained the coolant out of the car and went to fill it back up with fresh stuff and it only takes 2 gallons. There must be an air block somewherer, I have tried lifting the front of the car, draining and refilling, shaking the car, etc. But still can't get it out. Anyone have any tricks?

[Rich G.]

Did you run the car to let the thermostat open? Once it does you'll be able to top it off. Don't fill it to the top. Let it run with the cap off until you see the water flowing in the rad. Or you can take the T stat out and fill the block up that way and then put the stat back in.

[torredcuda]

Need to start it and wait for the thermostat to open, either that or drill an 1/8" hole in the body of the thermostat to let air thru.

[1 Wild R/T]

Pull a hose off of the heater at the firewall... It will allow the air to vent & coolant to fill the heater...  Be gentle, it's easy to cause the heater core to spring a leak...

[Chryco Psycho]

Has the block been filled with cement to stiffen the bores , is the block a lower capacity collant jacketed block , I know you used a special block right

[mopar thunder]

Sorry should have mentioned it, as Chryco said this is an aftermarket block. There is no thermostat and no heater core in the car. The engine buillder told me he had a hard time getting coolant in it. While it was on the engine stand they had to shake it to burp it out. The builder noticed during the build that it looked like it was going to have cooling issues so he cleaned up the water passages and added one in the middle of the block to help cool the exhaust ports. The block hasn't been filled.