I am installing an electric water pump on my SB. My question pertains to the correct procedure for start up on this product. The block has completely been drained of all coolant and I am also installing a new radiator. Since I do not want to risk burning up the electric motor should I add coolant through the thermostat housing opening on the manifold until it is full thereby having coolant immediately available to run through the pump? Then fill the radiator. Would it also make sense to leave the thermostat out until I establish flow? Maybe I am just overthinking this process. Thank you in advance of any suggestions.

What do the install instructions say to do?

Since you don't see fit to inform us who's pump you are running it's hard to say what you need to do. But if you want to cover the bases, just run a thermostat with a bleeder hole and fill the system like normal.

Id say fill the block thru the stat hole.Then as stated install the stat and fill rad.Its the easy way to fill the block.Rocky

Thanks for the advice I appreciate your time.