Radiator overflow tank
- Thread starter tx70dart
- Start date
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What is your intent?
Custom?
OEM ?
OEM like?
Custom?
OEM ?
OEM like?
doug 371
Well-Known Member
I put one out of a 75 in...
ir3333
Well-Known Member
'03? Tiburon
ir3333
Well-Known Member
You don't need an overflow tank... just don't fill your rad to the top.
The overflow tank will give you a couple of quarts more coolant.
The overflow tank will give you a couple of quarts more coolant.
BobW
Curmudgeon At Large
I used to obsess with filling to the top. I was always filling and watching the overflow level increase.
I finally listened and accepted the advice: "Your radiator will find it's own level"!
The radiator levels out at the top of the upper hose, so there is always an air gap to the cap.
My overflow stays at the same level.
You need one if you make a pass at the drag strip.
Assuming you have a 100% full radiator any fluid in the overflow does nothing to aid cooling.
If you do not have an overflow, as stated before, the rad will find its own level. Agreeded the amount of coolant in the rad will be less, but it will not have any effect on the ability of the rad to cool the engine, it is just an air gap at the top of the rad. The pump is not going to suck air etc.
ir3333
Well-Known Member
My rad is filled to the cap.Expansion will toss a 1/2 a quart in my overfill tank when i shut the car off.As it cools it draws the coolant back into the rad.
At the very least it will let you know if you have a leak somewhere.
At the very least it will let you know if you have a leak somewhere.
mopowers
Well-Known Member
The cheapies on Ebay work well for a recover tank.
69moredoor
Well-Known Member
I use an old vintage soda bottle
Hose clamp, piece of slit hose for a mounting bracket
Hose clamp, piece of slit hose for a mounting bracket
ir3333
Well-Known Member
i see a lot of chrome or polished aluminum overflow tanks but unless you can see in the tank you
never know if it's working.
never know if it's working.
mopowers
Well-Known Member
That's why they have lids.
69moredoor
Well-Known Member
Put this one on the valiant today
Grnwinger
Active Member
Back in the day a Tall Boy of your favorite beer was the way to go
TrailBeast
AKA Mopars4us on Youtube
I made a recovery tank out a shotgun shell thermos.
Plumbed it in the bottom and drilled inside the opening between the layers for the vent, which also exits out the bottom between the tank layers.
Works perfect.
Very cool moredoor! I was inspired to copy your genius. My neighbor even finished his tequila bottle for 'the cause'. I used a HomeDepot rubber lined plumbing clamp and the old metal fuel line left over from SlantSixDan's fuel line conversion. Makes me grin every time I look at it. Thanks!
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DrCharles
Well-Known Member
I think I got mine from Summit... it has a petcock underneath, so if I want to see if there's anything in it, I just drain it into a cup 
76-80 F mopar recovery tank.
ir3333
Well-Known Member
you really need to be able to see the level to make sure it is working and continues to work.
When you shut your engine down the temperature rises immediately and your rad will overflow.As it cools it will draw it back in quite quickly.
I would never see it with an aluminum or stainless tank.
When you shut your engine down the temperature rises immediately and your rad will overflow.As it cools it will draw it back in quite quickly.
I would never see it with an aluminum or stainless tank.
DrCharles
Well-Known Member
What you describe is "working" as a coolant recovery system, not a simple overflow catch-can.
I fill my radiator about 3/4" or 1" down from the neck, and little if any ends up in the tank. Especially since my fan controller has a cool-down timer after shutoff
ir3333
Well-Known Member
if you keep your rad level a couple of inches low or low enough to account for the expansion then an overflow bottle wouldn't be required.Doing that is probably easier and simpler
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