New thermostat-no weep hole

I just replaced my thermostat on my 2000 Explorer 5.0 with one from NAPA, part No. 530090. It did not have a weep hole...and after installation I remembered that I read on this forum that the weep hole should be at the 12:00 position.

I did a search and located a post from 2003 concerning this issue and the member was advised to drill a small hole in the NAPA thermostat to allow the system to "burb"...

Is that truly necessary?? I hate to remove that part again unless I really need to do so....

What are the downsides to leaving the thermostat without the weep hole installed?

Is there another method of burbing the system??

Does the "burbing" need to occur only after the install or is trapped air a scenario that occurs all of the time?

Thanks!

Since you've already installed the thermostat, I'd leave it alone.
I'd just refill the radiator after warming the engine up and letting
the thermostat open. You may have to do this a couple times,
but after that the system should be full.

As to the relief hole, I always drill a 1/8" hole in every new
thermostat I replace, if it dosen't already have one. Some
have the hole, some don't......

Thank you for the response....I will give that a try and remember the next time...

yes, i agree, the weep hole is not always necessary, just make sure you allow the system to heat and cool a few times and make sure it is full before any trip of distance, on account of the heater core hoses being higher up than the engine block, and that could hold an air pocket , which will give you problems if not burped,,