Hi Iblackwe,
I have put many hours into the 818 cooling system.
The setup I have now has been drain and refilled at least a 1/2 dozen times with no airlock or other issues.
No special bleeding procedures. Fill system, heat cycle it once, refill and your done.
The number one rule: every high spot in the system must automatically bleed back to the expansion tank.
I have 2 paths.
First I did modification very equivalent to Wayne's Mod. I put an 1/8" pill in that hose to let air flow freely and it would restrict water flow.
Secondly, I add a bleed hose from the top of the radiator back to the expansion tank. (my radiator has a sealed cap.) I raised my expansion tank up into the hump to make it more effective.
The number 2 rule.
Run every hose (bleed or main) with no rises that will trap air.
The number 3 rule.
Run smooth line (tubing or rubber). The pressure out of the water pump has multiple paths it can take. You need to make it run easily to and from the radiator.
Picture of bleed pressure testing:
testing.jpg
Picture of engine bleed hose.
waynes.jpg
With all that said, A boost pump would help.
I don't know what would happen to a boost pump when the thermostat was closed and nothing is flowing.
Bob