Cheap $10 overflow- how to and pics.

[68gmsee]

I've been asked how I made a my overflow by a few members so I'm posting some pics of what I used. Cost in parts was less than $10 at the local Lowes about 3 years ago. May be more these days. This overflow can be placed in any convenient place and painted to match if needed. Recently I've tinkered with the idea of a nylon or copper fitting on the top cap but for now it works well.

1. Two inch by 2 foot section of black pvc pipe , two end caps and a can of pvc glue at Lowes. Any 2" pvc pipe with end caps will do.
2. I cut the piece to 16" to fit between the radiator support and grill on mine (you can place in any convenient location)
3. Glued the bottom on and left the top unglued.
4. Drilled a 1/2" hole on the top cap to fit the hose (may be smaller depending on hose diameter)
5. I mounted mine using an old fire extinguisher clamp. Nylon or metal tie straps or U clamps can be used.
6. Drilled a 1/2" hole in radiator support to feed the hose through. It can be looped on top also if you don't want to drill a hole there. If you do drill make sure there's nothing obstructing it on the other side before drilling.
7. Cut the end of the hose at a slant and insert it until it just touches the bottom of the container. The top can be removed to check fluid since it's not glued.
8. Buy a cap that is rated for the engine you have and that allows fluid to be drawn back into the radiator as it cools.
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[big_al_71]

Great idea...

[68gmsee]

Yeah, it's a cheap way to see if it would help my over heating problem and I was amazed at the difference it made on my truck. Has not overheated even in this 100+ heat over here.

I had tried hoses, flushing, water pump and finally a double row radiator. Still would run hot around town and always had to add water. Now it stays at 185° and full all the time.

[r&r419]

Awesome idea!! Like you said if you paint it, most people will never even notice it. Great way to conceal it!! Will be doing this in the near future!!

[VA72C10]

cool idea! need a link to this added to the under $50 budget mods thread

[Shane]

how does it pull the coolant back into the radiator after it cools down?

[CPNEJR]

It will suck the coolant back by expansion and contraction. When the liquid is hot it expands into the resevoir and by it cooling down it will suck it back into the radiator. Thats why he had to cut the hose at an angle and put it in until it just touched the bottom.

[Jacfourteen]

Cool Idea!

[eagleuh1]

Cool idea. Seen people use the little aluminum water bottles for $5 at Walmart also, with the muffler clamp holding it to the fender or core support. I copied that idea for a washer fluid bottle. The PVC pipe you can make bigger and have more volume though.

[DT1]

Had a hard time seeing it. It looked like an AC drier.
Very cool.

[LostMy65]

I like how it's placed inconspicuously.

[GMC Canuck]

Nice and simple, I like it.