Is your personal preference to pull the stat and top off the block or just fill the radiator and add coolant as needed when it's running?

I drill a tiny 1/16"ish hole in the thermostat and fill the radiator. Top off as necessary.

I fill the rad, start the car with the rad cap OFF and let it come to temp. Once it hits temp, it should burp out all the air. Top it of with the car running. Good to go.

Do not stand in front of the car while waiting for it to come to temp, it can soemtimes throw some water when the t-stat opens.

What about filling the block before you install the thermostat then fill the radiator?

Do that all the time if allowed. Hook everything up without thermo and cover housing in place, then fill eng through that opening until it comes right to top then drop thermo in, install gasket and housing-hose. Then bring radiator level up, start it and go. Works great to avoid air pocket issues.

Hello I leave one of the heater hose,s off. Then fill it tell it comes to the top of the hose out let . Then put the hose back on and fill your radiator up . (not all the way to the top) Then run your car some then check again. DS