Overflow can for radiator???

[HotRod929]

Ok...my friends and I want to go to the first street night at New England Drag way and I was gonna run my truck. I was looking at there rules to see if my truck would pass tech inspection and it will except for one thing...I dont have a overflow an for my radiator. I have a stock radiator and was wondering if there is a cheap and easy way I can get one on my truck so that I can still race on the 2nd of April. Thanks

HotROd

[fatfords]

Go to your local NAPA or Autozone and pick up a universal overflow tank. Usually less than 5 bones. It has a tube attached to the bottom that you hook to the port on the fill neck of the radiator. If you want a quick and dirty install, attach it with some zip ties to one of the existing holes in the fender, around the battery. Cheap, easy, low cost and you should be able to get in done by April 2nd!
Kent

[da-burb]

In a pinch, I have used the windshield washer reservoir. Drill a hole in the lid for the hose and bolt it to the easiest place you can find. Now, will that meet the race rules??????

[HotRod929]

Thanks a lot for the help. 1 more question about the catch can...how big schould it as far as how much it should hold? And when I put it in do I need to fill it with some coolent or is it just there for the overflow? THanks

HotRod

[bigjimzlll]

this is a summit brand catch can..under 20.00

[Nova_Cobra64]

At the local drags they let people through using prestone bottles and 2 litre pop bottles. I think if I decide to race I will make a catch can at school useing stainless steel to make a hexagonal can with the TIG.

[HotRod929]

bigjimzlll - How is that can pictured mounted where it is?

Thanks

HotRod

[bigjimzlll]

there are 2 1/4x20 bosses built in the back of the bottle...I drilled 2 holes in the radiator support and mounted it.
Jim

[racedvl]

I took this out of a Caprice I think. . . .

[Downtown]

Here is a picture of my set up. I also used a washer bottle. I didn't drill a hole in the top, I just hooked it up to the top like the washer hose. I also removed the strainer from the bottom of the hose inside the bottle. Drove it like that for two years and never had a problem. It does seem like I changed the cap from 7psi to a 13 psi cap. It was nice because it fit in the small space between the battery and inner fender.

[da-burb]

Now doesn't that factory tank look nice! My rad caps are 16# on the Chevy trucks. The important thing is to get a cap that is used with a coolent recovery tank. They have a second rubber seal that holds a vacuum when the system cools down.

[Andy4639]

I got this one out of a monte carlo, I think t was a early 70's. It works great.

It's a little dirty, but it's been there for about 175,000 miles so far.

[Longhorn Man]

Double check the NHRA (or your local track if they are not the same) but I think the puke tank should hold either 1 or two quarts minimum...just can't remember which.

[bigjimzlll]

NHRA is 1 quart

[GreenMystChevy]

I just use the washer bottle in my Chevelle and plan on doing the same for my truck. I left it in the stock location and ran a line all tha way behind the radiator, out of site. Works perfect and you know how those big blocks like to get hot. I didn't have to make any modifications other than running a piece of rubber line to it and making sure that it flowed fine.
As far as how much it expands and retracts, not too much. Just check it now and again. I always keep a little bit in it when engine is cold and then check it when the engine it hot. Good way to check your coolant level!

[racedvl]

I like the washer solvent bottle idea, but, isn't the nipple on the tank and the nipple for the over flow diffrent sizes?

[383 Stroker]

Here is a picture of my overflow.

[Lippyp]

1 litre plastic anti-freeze bottle with a hole drilled in the lid tucked in the corner of the passenger side front fender, as fitted by previous owner. Needs replacing with something more aesthetically pleasing!

[SWINGSAX68]

I've got a washer bottle as well....

[Long Knight]

When I was in college I was a cheap b@stard out of necessity and decided to put an overflow resevoir on my radiator. So, I went to a thrift shop and picked up a Squeeze Bottle from a gas station for $.35 and coincidently the plastic straw fit perfectly inside the existing rubber tube coming off the radiator. I drilled a hole in the side of the battery tray (after removing the battery) and wired it on. It actually worked great. Somehow I lost the bottle during my rebuild, but I will probably put another one on here pretty soon.

[Ackattack]

I got a puke can from Summit.

[Southpa]

Ya can't beat those bottles from earlier full-size Chev cars. They are contoured nicely to fit your inner fender.

[SWINGSAX68]

I have an extra washer botle if anyone wants it......If you rust up the inside of the fender nd make it a dirty engine enamel black, and get rid of those colorful hoses DOWNTOWN has my bottle set-up to the teeeee.