Too many options ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

acl · 12-30-2008, 10:09 AM

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

ChevLoRay · 12-30-2008, 10:17 AM

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.

cdowns · 12-30-2008, 11:00 AM

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

acl · 12-30-2008, 11:56 AM

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

lts70 · 12-30-2008, 12:17 PM

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.

lts70 · 12-30-2008, 12:36 PM

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.

kcjones · 12-30-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lts70

Also, Alot of time when people have this problem it is because they are over filling thier radiators......you might give just filling it to the line a try.

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.

1968SWBBigBlock · 12-30-2008, 09:45 PM

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

12-30-2008, 10:09 AM	#1
acl Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Emporia, kansas Posts: 300	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

12-30-2008, 10:17 AM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	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. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

12-30-2008, 11:00 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	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 __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-30-2008, 11:56 AM	#4
acl Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Emporia, kansas Posts: 300	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

12-30-2008, 12:17 PM	#5
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	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. __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance. Last edited by lts70; 12-30-2008 at 12:37 PM.

12-30-2008, 12:36 PM	#6
lts70 1970 Daily Driver Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glenns Ferry IDAHO Posts: 1,037	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. __________________ It's not truly yours if you didn't build it yourself or if you don't do your own maintenance.

12-30-2008, 09:45 PM	#8
1968SWBBigBlock Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,643	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 __________________ 1968 SWB 454 + .040, 490HP x 540 FT pounds of Torque 10-1 Kb Forged pistons, recon rods w/ ARP wave loc bolts 781 heads Ported with 2.19/1.88 SSTvalves Lunati 60204 cam, Micro Trol lifters, Ported Edelbrock Performer Rpm manifold armor coated, Pertronix Triple Strike Ignition Holley 770 Street Avenger carb,Headers armor coated Built by Watson Ruppel Performance in Sarahsville Ohio. Hardshift Tranny Built Turbo 350,TSI 10" 3000 stall 12 Bolt Eaton Posi 4.10 Richmond Gears moser axles 18.5" x 31" Hoosier Pro Street Radials ET Classic 5 Wheels - polished Power Steering, Power Brakes,Disc Brakes,Tach & Gauge Dash, Tilt,Factory Air (gone) Custom Paint & Body Work Special thanks to my wife, my son and my money tree



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