Coolant overflow pics?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kidd-7 · 12-03-2010, 11:55 PM

Looking for some ideas on how to add a coolant overflow. I grabbed 1 from the bone yard, but it'll be difficult to make work. So what have you done? Include pics for sure... Thanks.

**JJorgensen52** · 12-04-2010, 12:59 AM

Did you grab the radiator cap too? When I added my tank I converted to a closed system, so it doesn't just puke coolant to the overflow, it circulates like a modern car. Not a drop of coolant out of it since, and it stays cooler!

I grabbed this from the boneyard, it was an Pontiac I think, late 70's/ early 80's G-body with a V8. Works pretty well, was fairly simply to mount because it matches the contour of the fender nicely, and it still clears the hood hinge. Would like to find a new replacement, the one I have has some damage and leaks around the cap, but it does the job.

close up of bracket I fabbed (stainless sheetmetal I had lying around, took 10 minutes). One of these days I'm actually going to make a permanent mount for it.

Hard to see, but there is a bolt at the front corner of the tank close to the battery as well - I used a hammer to adjust my fenderwell just a smidge (made a flat spot) and put a bolt through

*EDIT* a little google research indicates this tank is from an 80-82 Grand Prix, and that any tank 80-87 G-body will work but the cap location varies

Hubscrub · 12-04-2010, 01:18 AM

bought this one at advance, ran the hose under the rad support and up to it

barryvanhook · 12-04-2010, 01:41 AM

I don't have a pic, but LMC sells a bracket and plastic receptacle for the windshield washer ... that can be used as a coolant overflow. Mine is mounted to the immediate driver's side of the radiator, bolted to the core support.

Barry

Andy4639 · 12-04-2010, 02:17 AM

Did mine a long time ago. Monte carlo jug. Ran hose and cap.

Critter · 12-05-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJorgensen52

Did you grab the radiator cap too? When I added my tank I converted to a closed system, so it doesn't just puke coolant to the overflow, it circulates like a modern car. Not a drop of coolant out of it since, and it stays cooler!

It seams that cap is important. Are different caps needed when doing this sort of swap???

Mr Pops · 12-05-2010, 04:05 PM

Ok, this is my washer reservoir, not my coolant overflow, but it could probably do the trick..

60ratrod · 12-05-2010, 04:21 PM

wonder what a cop would say if he ever popped the hood when/if you get pulled over......hmmmmmmmm

Mr Pops · 12-05-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60ratrod

wonder what a cop would say if he ever popped the hood when/if you get pulled over......hmmmmmmmm

I'd let him taste it. I wonder what bug wash tastes like? Reminds me of a scene from Dumb and Dumber..

treveiger · 12-05-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Pops

Ok, this is my washer reservoir, not my coolant overflow, but it could probably do the trick..

What you need to do is make another one with a real bottel of it and just run a hose from the bottle into your cab, that cant count as a open container right

Mr Pops · 12-06-2010, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treveiger

What you need to do is make another one with a real bottel of it and just run a hose from the bottle into your cab, that cant count as a open container right

Hmm.. Probably one of those things you'd look back on and say, "It seemed like a good idea at the time"

**JJorgensen52** · 12-05-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Critter

It seams that cap is important. Are different caps needed when doing this sort of swap???

If you're planning to just have an overflow, the cap that is on the truck is fine - it's what called an "open" system, it simply vents at around 12-15psi in the radiator and empties to the overflow.

I converted (as have some others) to a "closed" system, like modern cars. The design of the cap is different, and it allows the radiator to vent to the overflow at 12-15psi same as before, but as the truck cools off the radiator will pull the overflow coolant back in - this works to keep your system at full capacity as long as there is coolant in the resevoir (overflow), and allowing your truck to run cooler and you to have to worry about topping it off less!

Kidd-7 · 12-05-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJorgensen52

If you're planning to just have an overflow, the cap that is on the truck is fine - it's what called an "open" system, it simply vents at around 12-15psi in the radiator and empties to the overflow.

I converted (as have some others) to a "closed" system, like modern cars. The design of the cap is different, and it allows the radiator to vent to the overflow at 12-15psi same as before, but as the truck cools off the radiator will pull the overflow coolant back in - this works to keep your system at full capacity as long as there is coolant in the resevoir (overflow), and allowing your truck to run cooler and you to have to worry about topping it off less!

So with a closed system is there more to change than the cap & overflow?

**JJorgensen52** · 12-05-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidd-7

So with a closed system is there more to change than the cap & overflow?

Nope, you have to change the cap to a "closed" style cap (I think mine is off a '94 Caprice 350, IIRC) and add a resevoir, and you're done.

The only thing you need to keep in mind is that you have to use a resevoir that has the fill/suction at the bottom (or a hose on the top fill that reaches down into the resevoir), so that the radiator can draw coolant back in as it cools. A conventional overflow can just fills from the top, and the radiator will just suck air (defeating the purpose)

hayhauler71 · 12-05-2010, 12:21 AM

bought this one from summit and mounted it to radiator support.

70jnktrk · 12-05-2010, 02:20 AM

Here is mine...

Kidd-7 · 12-05-2010, 10:04 AM

70jnktrk: that is awesome. I think I will have to borrow that idea. Just don't open the hood first thing in the morning, that'll be some bad coffee. Did you do anything special to that thermos? Aside from drill the hole and mount it.

I see a few people have placed the overflow on the drivers side while the rad cap is on the passenger side, I wasn't sure if that would work, but glad to see it does. That gives me more engine bay to work with.

myoldchevytruck · 12-05-2010, 10:14 AM

I have not installed it yet but I picked up this at the Englishtown Swap Meet in September. Sorry about the glare its a clear sunny day in South Florida

70jnktrk · 12-05-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidd-7

70jnktrk: that is awesome. I think I will have to borrow that idea. Just don't open the hood first thing in the morning, that'll be some bad coffee. Did you do anything special to that thermos? Aside from drill the hole and mount it.

I see a few people have placed the overflow on the drivers side while the rad cap is on the passenger side, I wasn't sure if that would work, but glad to see it does. That gives me more engine bay to work with.

Nothing special..removed the stopper and cut the non collapsable hose off at an angle so it will not stick on the bottom of the container..remember the container must vent..drill the hole in the cap slightly oversize..almost anything could be used...a lot of good ideas here..

Shyguy · 12-05-2010, 11:00 AM

I have seen all kinds of things used for an over-flow reservoir, my son uses an old anti-freeze bottle.

I bought a universal truck over-flow bottle at Wal-Mart I am going to use on one of my trucks. Summit and Jegs have some good ones.

68gmsee · 12-05-2010, 11:25 AM

My GMC is not a show truck so I decided to make my own. It ran slightly hot for several years and I always noticed that after refilling the radiator it would go back to normal until the radiator would find it's own level. Then it was back to slightly hot.

Never loses coolant and during the summer temp stays normal even in the hottest 100+ degree days.

Cost about $10-$15. I got the black 2" pipe and caps at lowes.

Note: Since these pics, I've replace hose with black hot water hose, rerouted through a drilled hole in the radiator support and painted the fire extinguisher bracket black (large hose clamps could be used instead.)

Sinister · 12-05-2010, 11:30 AM

This one was in the truck when I got it. Board consensus was that it was a dealer add on. I replaced the cap, original was black.

Kidd-7 · 12-05-2010, 12:39 PM

Harry, very nice; post a pic once its installed. And no need to rub it in about the glare... Snows falling here and not suposed to stop till Wed.

myoldchevytruck · 12-05-2010, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidd-7

Harry, very nice; post a pic once its installed. And no need to rub it in about the glare... Snows falling here and not suposed to stop till Wed.

i will post them when i install it. oh, by the way........were getting a cold front. by wednesday, it should be dipping into the 40's by the time we wake up, brrrrrrrrrr.

treveiger · 12-05-2010, 03:04 PM

Saw one at a car show that was a bottle of captin morgan

12-03-2010, 11:55 PM	#1
Kidd-7 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: RTP, NC Posts: 518	Coolant overflow pics?? Looking for some ideas on how to add a coolant overflow. I grabbed 1 from the bone yard, but it'll be difficult to make work. So what have you done? Include pics for sure... Thanks.

12-04-2010, 12:59 AM	#2
JJorgensen52 Simple? What's simple? Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Southeast CT Posts: 1,472	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? Did you grab the radiator cap too? When I added my tank I converted to a closed system, so it doesn't just puke coolant to the overflow, it circulates like a modern car. Not a drop of coolant out of it since, and it stays cooler! I grabbed this from the boneyard, it was an Pontiac I think, late 70's/ early 80's G-body with a V8. Works pretty well, was fairly simply to mount because it matches the contour of the fender nicely, and it still clears the hood hinge. Would like to find a new replacement, the one I have has some damage and leaks around the cap, but it does the job. close up of bracket I fabbed (stainless sheetmetal I had lying around, took 10 minutes). One of these days I'm actually going to make a permanent mount for it. Hard to see, but there is a bolt at the front corner of the tank close to the battery as well - I used a hammer to adjust my fenderwell just a smidge (made a flat spot) and put a bolt through EDIT a little google research indicates this tank is from an 80-82 Grand Prix, and that any tank 80-87 G-body will work but the cap location varies __________________ CURRENT '50 GMC 100 shortbed Gen IV 4.8 LS - 4L65E (Secret truck, Shhh!!!) Build '63 Buick Wildcat Coupe 401ci Nailhead (Very much in pieces) Photos '66 Impala SS convertible 327-QJet-glide (4 speed swap one of these days...) Photos '69 CST/10 4x4 SWB Stepper 350 2bbl - NV4500/NP241C (Broken Truck!) '72 Sierra Grande 2WD LWB fleetside 350-TH350 Refresh '99 K2500 Silverado RCLB 5.7 Vortec - NV4500/NP241C (Daily) '99 K2500 Suburban 7.4 Vortec - NV4500/NP246 (still working out the bugs) SOLD '71 Custom/10 2WD LWB fleetside - '72 GMC K/3500 Dually (Sold to redryder) Last edited by JJorgensen52; 12-04-2010 at 01:15 AM.

12-04-2010, 01:18 AM	#3
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? bought this one at advance, ran the hose under the rad support and up to it Attached Images __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

12-04-2010, 01:41 AM	#4
barryvanhook Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 148	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? I don't have a pic, but LMC sells a bracket and plastic receptacle for the windshield washer ... that can be used as a coolant overflow. Mine is mounted to the immediate driver's side of the radiator, bolted to the core support. Barry __________________ Barry L. Van Hook '69 Chevy Frankentruck

12-04-2010, 02:17 AM	#5
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? Did mine a long time ago. Monte carlo jug. Ran hose and cap. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-05-2010, 04:05 PM	#7
Mr Pops Ridin' Dirty Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ardrossan Alberta Canada Posts: 2,193	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? Ok, this is my washer reservoir, not my coolant overflow, but it could probably do the trick.. Attached Images __________________ 1978 C3500 Crewcab (Project) 1979 C2500 Crewcab (Driver/project) 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Driver) 1988 V3500 Crewcab 1988 R2500 Crewcab (Mint, Ex Fire Dept) 1968 Chev Suburban (4x4 conversion) LINK 1970 Chev C20 Suburban (driver/cruiser)LINK 2005 Impala (Incognito vehicle) 2004 Yukon XL Denali (Kid hauler) 1947 Case tractor Facebook Page(1000's of pictures of GM cars and trucks organized into albums) YouTube Channel

12-05-2010, 04:21 PM	#8
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? wonder what a cop would say if he ever popped the hood when/if you get pulled over......hmmmmmmmm __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

12-05-2010, 12:21 AM	#15
hayhauler71 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Paul MN. Posts: 1,996	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? bought this one from summit and mounted it to radiator support. Attached Images __________________ Fuzzy

12-05-2010, 02:20 AM	#16
70jnktrk Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: arizona Posts: 213	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? Here is mine... Attached Images

12-05-2010, 10:04 AM	#17
Kidd-7 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: RTP, NC Posts: 518	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? 70jnktrk: that is awesome. I think I will have to borrow that idea. Just don't open the hood first thing in the morning, that'll be some bad coffee. Did you do anything special to that thermos? Aside from drill the hole and mount it. I see a few people have placed the overflow on the drivers side while the rad cap is on the passenger side, I wasn't sure if that would work, but glad to see it does. That gives me more engine bay to work with.

12-05-2010, 10:14 AM	#18
myoldchevytruck Retired Air Force Veteran Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024 Posts: 1,808	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? I have not installed it yet but I picked up this at the Englishtown Swap Meet in September. Sorry about the glare its a clear sunny day in South Florida __________________ Harry 69' SWB Step Side 1/2 Ton w/68' Front Clip Swap from Leafs to Trailing Arms (Complete) Swap 6 Lug to 5 Lug (w/ Disk Brakes in Front) 3/6 Drop Help Support The Board Click Here For Information On How To Subscribe Krue's FAQ Page Vendors

12-05-2010, 11:00 AM	#20
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? I have seen all kinds of things used for an over-flow reservoir, my son uses an old anti-freeze bottle. I bought a universal truck over-flow bottle at Wal-Mart I am going to use on one of my trucks. Summit and Jegs have some good ones. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

12-05-2010, 11:25 AM	#21
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? My GMC is not a show truck so I decided to make my own. It ran slightly hot for several years and I always noticed that after refilling the radiator it would go back to normal until the radiator would find it's own level. Then it was back to slightly hot. Never loses coolant and during the summer temp stays normal even in the hottest 100+ degree days. Cost about $10-$15. I got the black 2" pipe and caps at lowes. Note: Since these pics, I've replace hose with black hot water hose, rerouted through a drilled hole in the radiator support and painted the fire extinguisher bracket black (large hose clamps could be used instead.) Attached Images

12-05-2010, 11:30 AM	#22
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? This one was in the truck when I got it. Board consensus was that it was a dealer add on. I replaced the cap, original was black. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 12-05-2010 at 11:31 AM.

12-05-2010, 12:39 PM	#23
Kidd-7 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: RTP, NC Posts: 518	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? Harry, very nice; post a pic once its installed. And no need to rub it in about the glare... Snows falling here and not suposed to stop till Wed.



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12-05-2010, 03:04 PM	#25
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: Coolant overflow pics?? Saw one at a car show that was a bottle of captin morgan __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

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