Well, I finally found a moment when the sun was still somewhat in the
sky, the temperature was up and my bro-in-law was willing to keep his
foot on the accelerator. Here's what happened. Explanations and
suggestions will be more than welcome!
 
1)     Started the engine and drove up onto ramps, raising the nose
about 8". 
2)     Opened front and back heaters.
3)     Opened bleeder valve on new radiator; took cap off expansion
tank.
4)     Filled expansion tank with water (it was pretty low).
5)     Noted serious gurgling, burping and splashing from expansion
tank, but only
6)     Minor hissing from the radiator.
7)     Then some coolant escaped from the bleeder valve on the radiator
... then....
8)     NOTHING more from the radiator -- no air, no liquid -- while the
expansion tank continued to bubble like a witch's cauldron.
 
The heater under the back seat was blowing hot air; the front fan blew
only cold air. I added a total of about two quarts of water.
 
After about 15-20 minutes I gave up and invited my brother-in-law in for
a drink by the fire, saying I would not try again until I had received
the combined Wisdom from The List, hoping that maybe the air bubbles
will work their way towards the radiator overnight.
 
Some additional facts:
 
1)     Mechanic added fresh coolant with the engine raised, not the
nose; so clearly the system is in need of bleeding.
2)     Thermostat, sensors and radiator are all new.
3)     Gauge pegs as soon as the engine is turned on ... but then,
sometimes, goes back to normal readings. This afternoon it ended up
looking pretty normal after intitially pegging and flashing.
4)     Couldn't find the bleeder valve in the engine compartment. I
think it was eliminated years ago for some reason; maybe it broke and
the hoses were just spliced together.
 
Merry Christmas to all, and thanks in advance.
 
Woody
83.5 V'gon
Haverhill, MA 
 
 
P.S. Now I am going to mix a cocktail, print out the tree ornament and
try to pry my kids away from the ginger bread  house project to help me.