60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Hey Gang,

I’ve been speaking with another member (Pete Chronis) on what was the factory correct radiator overflow container for our 60-66 trucks. I have ordered a generic 2”x16” container to catch my water expansion when needed for now.

According to what we can see or find, most trucks (65-66) came with a larger radiator overflow tank. Classic Parts #78-416 and is reported to fit ’41-54’. This mounted on the right inner fender next to the battery. However, it’s the same design as what was used on a 65-66.

Does anyone in the group have better information?

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I don't think I have ever seen a truck of this era with a factory overflow tank. Most everything has been just vented. Even my '72 El Camino doesn't have one.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Well I had to change my response because I found the picture posted below.
Still I have not seen a chevy with one even on our factory a/c trucks.
Maybe they were a dealer installed item.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I started thinking about it and had saved this picture some years back of this 66 GMC Suburban with Factory Air Conditioning. Not sure if the tank is factory or an accessory.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I'm not sure if you are looking for a factory overflow tank (I've never seen one) or one that looks factory and fits our trucks. - If you are looking for an overflow tank looks good & fits our trucks you might look at the ones for the Ford Trucks. They are a Radiator Over Flow/Windshield washer combo and the cut of the tank fits the angle of our inner fenders almost perfectly and as a plus you can now add windshield squirters at a later date if you want. This is the set up I went with on my 64 C-10. I moved the horn relay and voltage regulator to the other side of radiator support using the original mounting holes and grommets for both. I later though did go to a one wire 120 amp alternator. I got mine from the wrecking yard BUT you can get it brand new from Rock Auto for $28.00 if you prefer to go that route.

Rock Auto Overflow
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/f...ery+tank,10457

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

..

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Uh, you're using a what? ;-)

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Uh, you're using a what? ;-)

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Yep, I know a Ford Overflow/Windshield tank & pump combined with Ford truck windshield squirt nozzles, Ford Bronco wiring conduits for my power window & power door lock wiring, a Lincoln mark VIII electric cooling fan with a Volvo fan relay, Jeep Cherokee door check stops, Jeep Cherokee footwell lights, Chevy Van tilt column, 1964 Chrysler A/C vents and soon to be a 71 Cadillac emergency brake assembly that will automatically release when I drop my C-10 into Drive or Reverse. I don't shop at Jegs, Summit, Speedway etc., etc., I do my shopping during 1/2 off days at Pick N Pull. Besides my 64 C-10 I also own a 62 Pontiac Catalina, Tri-Power, 4SPD & 8 lugs, a 1971 M&M Hearse, a PT Cruiser 284,000 miles (my daily driver) & yes even a 06 F-250 for hauling stuff.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Chevrolet did not offer an overflow tank for 60-66 and I cannot find any supporting info for GMC. The one you show Jake is a reproduction of the factory one for Chevrolet of the 40s and 50s. The one in post 4, I dont believe to be factory judging by the mounting bracket. Pretty sure thats Steves Suburban.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Not to hijack the thread, but how do you activate the washer pump?
-Brad

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

If you are talking about the windshield washer, it's a button in the center of the windshield wiper switch.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Brad,
As LostMy65 stated there is a pushbutton in the center of the windshield wiper knob on trucks that came with windshield squirters from the factory. I did buy the correct switch off eBay. The washer pump is built into the Ford Overflow/Windshield washer tank. The pump also is still available from Rock Auto new. I ran an ignition on fused hot to the pump. The push button squirter button completes the ground activating the washer pump.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

.delete

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

My 66 has what looks like an add on of unknown vintage.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I have the dealer truck data books for 60-66, a radiator overflow is not listed for any year as a factory option or an accessory.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Do you have any of the GMC Data books ?

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

No, sorry, I don't. The Chevy data books are hard to find, and can be expensive, and the GMC books even more so. The last GMC book I saw, a 1963, sold for $300.00, and that was 4 years ago.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Oh I know , I have every data book 1955-1970 but only 4 GMC data books. Priceless information that took a long time to find. But to confirm what you stated , the GMC and Chevrolet parts books do not list a radiator overflow can .

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I have no idea what the GMC books say about a radiator overflow. In my 60-66 Chevy data books, I can't find a reference to one, either as a factory option or dealer installed accessory. I'm sure, like rear bumpers those years, dealers probably offered some aftermarket catch can if someone wanted one.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I went with an early 1990's Toyota overflow tank. Nice and narrow and mounted it on the driver's side radiator support.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Got the same set up thanks to you 64 Shortbox. Cleanest set up, especially for the price that Ive seen yet.

Why not? There's a ton of guy rockin Honda door seals that work better than anything else thats available to us. Heck, the AC in my '63 is out of a '62 Chrysler :lol:

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Here's how I mounted mine.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Interesting, I wonder if it works properly (return suction). I like the idea.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...77&postcount=6

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Because the factory windshield washer system is marginal at best, I wound up using the factory washer bottle as my radiator overflow. I ran a hardline from the nipple on the radiator neck, and tucked between the radiator and the shroud and then routed it over to the driver's side of the core support, right to the washer bottle. Slick and looks 100% factory. Just make sure you run the suction tube all the way to the bottom of the bottle, leaving about a 1/4" gap. The overflow doesn't need to be pressurized, just vented. The factory washer bottle cap has a tiny hole in it to vent the bottle.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

If your in a hot, humid client and don't want to dump your overflow fluid, then put one on. No harm in having it.

The polished one you show has two hoses going into it and looks like what I used. I used some supplied "L" brackets to mount it as you can see below. This is a pretty simple install and rather instant gratification.

Funny...first time I hooked mine up I got the two hoses going into the reservoir backwards. Started dumping water first time it got hot and it took me a couple of days to figure it out. Should have looked inside the reservoir BEFORE I hooked it up...

Tom

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Reed62. Do you have any pictures of your overflow tank?

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Yep....Here it is. It sits pretty even with the top of the radiator support and I used another Toyota bracket from a Sequoia overflow tank and bent it around to fit this tank.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Thanks. I like the small size and can mount it where my old square "brick" was.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Yep and when I found it I grabbed it. It should have enough capacity to hold what little liquid will make its way to the tank. For $9 it was a done deal in my book. It was off a pickup by the way. Not sure if the cars have the same style or not. The little extra tube that points down is used for the venting feature.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Thanks. Next time Im in Prescott, I will go to U Pick It and look for one. I just have to get the rad neck turned around. The nipple points toward the battery and I have my old overflow in between the grill and the raf support do the hose would fit.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

My nipple points to the battery too. The overflow tube just makes a gentle curve over the negative terminal and runs between the radiator top tank and rad support.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Looks like they didnt call it a overflow tank, in the assembly manual they call it a Condenser Asm.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Shows C-K 10-20 too.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

THANKS, I knew I was not crazy.....Please tell the wife....

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Thanks for posting. Looks like the same setup on the gmc suburban I previously posted.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

Do you know year model truck this came from??

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

I can't remember the exact model Ford the Overflow/Windshield Washer tank came from but the second generation Explorers about 1996 had them, my Wife's 96 Cougar had the same tank and the full size Ford trucks around the same era all used the same tank if this helps. I'm so cheap I even waited for 1/2 off days at the local Pick N Pull to get mine. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

Re: 60-66 Radiator Over flow tank
 

The Rockauto unit says right on the page: "FORD 1995 F-150 5.0L V8 Cooling System Coolant Recovery Tank"