Too many options ???
 

Looking to install a coolant catch can. Lots of questions. Do I need recirclating or not? Vented or not? with or without drain valve. Do I need overflow or expansion can? Is all of these the same with different lingo. Just don't want the fluid on the garage floor anymore. Right now I just have the radiator overflow tube going straight down the the rad. Thanks Gary

Re: Too many options ???
 

I think with a radiator overflow catch receptacle, you'd want to have a system that recovers the coolant and as the engine cools down, the coolant is drawn (siphoned) back into the radiator. That should stop coolant from ending up on the floor, and save you from having to periodically replace it. If that is a closed system, then that is what I'd do.

I have an aluminum side-mount overflow tank for my use, when the truck goes back together. It will siphon coolant back into the radiator.

Re: Too many options ???
 

to have a siphon back system for the radiator you'll need to change the type of rad cap you use

Re: Too many options ???
 

But do I need one that siphons back? do i need a recirculating one, vented a pet-cock drain. If i need to change rad caps thats o.k. I just don't know which will work. Thanks for the help

Re: Too many options ???
 

Siphons should be the same as recirculating. Basicaly the coolant is recirculated back into the system as your truck siphons it back into the radiator. You definatly want a siphon system. Just get a radiator cap at your local Napa store for a truck from the 80's, it will be the right one. You can tell it is the correct cap by looking to see if it has two seals. One seal like the one you have that is spring loaded and another seal at the top of the cap. I bought a cheep universal tank from NAPA and mounted it inbetween my battery and fender. Be sure to get some new hose that is long enough to go from your over flow to your new tank and a couple of hose clamps. Some even use a winshield washer bottle that matches the one you have on the driverside so that it looks original.

Re: Too many options ???
 

Also, Alot of time when people have this problem it is because they are over filling thier radiators. These trucks did not come with external overflows therefore you have to account for expansion in your radiator. There should be a fill line on your radiator about 3 iniches below your radiator cap. If you are filling it above that line it will push all of the fluid above that mark out and alot of times more that is below the line even as it creates a syphon. If you have been filling your radiator all the way up and dont want an external tank you might give just filling it to the line a try.

Re: Too many options ???
 

lts70 is right, just note that the "fill line" is cold. If you're filling it hot, engine running, you can and should fill it to the top.

Re: Too many options ???
 

I got a small Poly one out of the junk yard and mounted it below the battery - it is hidden and it works - I only wish it had a drain valve