OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MikeB** · 10-30-2023, 03:09 PM

I'm finishing the installation of an OER 551448 coolant recovery tank in my 69 C10. The tank is made for for 75-79 Nova and other similar GM cars, and it's what a few guys on this forum recommended. The main issue is supporting the bottom of the tank. I ended up using an "L" bracket bolted to the radiator support, with some weatherstripping glued to the top leg.

Had to remove the battery box to get the tank in place. Now I have to remove the radiator to install three body bolts that secure the battery box to the rad support. They were hard to remove, but impossible to install without removing the rad.

Bought some hi-temp 3/8" silicon tubing with 9/16" OD, which looks like it's going to work great. Hope it's OK with antifreeze.

Here's a "work in progress" photo, along with one of the bracket underneath the tank. The tank cap is Dorman 82590.

**PbFut** · 10-31-2023, 12:00 AM

I found oer 493072 fit very well down in the void next to the primary battery box. It is not easily seen and cycles perfectly. It will take a few heat cycles to clear all the air. I am really pleased with function. Unless you look for it, the appearance of the area is pretty much factory looking. I like using a clear tube from the radiator neck to the bottle to monitor no air is in the system. I am now confident enough of the function that a swap to black tubing will finish off to a more factory appearance.

**MikeB** · 10-31-2023, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PbFut

I found oer 493072 fit very well down in the void next to the primary battery box. I like using a clear tube from the radiator neck to the bottle to monitor no air is in the system. I am now confident enough of the function that a swap to black tubing will finish off to a more factory appearance.

Got any photos of the tank installation?

Yeah, I like the clear tube too, including the silicon's flexibility. As for factory appearance, my truck's engine compartment is way past that!

**PbFut** · 11-01-2023, 02:00 PM

Here you go
I am certainly not stock as well.

**MikeB** · 11-01-2023, 02:45 PM

Well, you did say you wanted a factory appearance.

old51sedan · 11-02-2023, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

I'm finishing the installation of an OER 551448 coolant recovery tank in my 69 C10. The tank is made for for 75-79 Nova and other similar GM cars, and it's what a few guys on this forum recommended. The main issue is supporting the bottom of the tank. I ended up using an "L" bracket bolted to the radiator support, with some weatherstripping glued to the top leg.

Had to remove the battery box to get the tank in place. Now I have to remove the radiator to install three body bolts that secure the battery box to the rad support. They were hard to remove, but impossible to install without removing the rad.

Bought some hi-temp 3/8" silicon tubing with 9/16" OD, which looks like it's going to work great. Hope it's OK with antifreeze.

Here's a "work in progress" photo, along with one of the bracket underneath the tank. The tank cap is Dorman 82590.

I bought coolant tank that was suppose to fit in front of the radiator support, but because of the fact I had installed vintage air it was too tight. I had had this for quite some time so could not return it so decided to install on the firewall. It's not original, but easy to get too.

**MikeB** · 11-03-2023, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old51sedan

I bought coolant tank that was suppose to fit in front of the radiator support, but because of the fact I had installed vintage air it was too tight. I had had this for quite some time so could not return it so decided to install on the firewall. It's not original, but easy to get too.

That's a clean installation.

Finally got mine all wrapped up and completely filled the radiator. Fired up the engine and drove around for 15-20 minutes, but engine temp wouldn't get past 160, even when the truck sat idling for 10 minutes. So there was no expansion into the tank. Guess I'll have to try it again in a few days when we are supposed to see mid-80 degree temperatures.

mongo4298 · 11-04-2023, 04:12 PM

I used the Dorman 603-001. It was a good fit in front of the radiator. I also used clear tubing.

PowerdbyChevy79 · 11-07-2023, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

I'm finishing the installation of an OER 551448 coolant recovery tank in my 69 C10. The tank is made for for 75-79 Nova and other similar GM cars, and it's what a few guys on this forum recommended. The main issue is supporting the bottom of the tank. I ended up using an "L" bracket bolted to the radiator support, with some weatherstripping glued to the top leg.

Had to remove the battery box to get the tank in place. Now I have to remove the radiator to install three body bolts that secure the battery box to the rad support. They were hard to remove, but impossible to install without removing the rad.

Bought some hi-temp 3/8" silicon tubing with 9/16" OD, which looks like it's going to work great. Hope it's OK with antifreeze.

Here's a "work in progress" photo, along with one of the bracket underneath the tank. The tank cap is Dorman 82590.

I like this.. this looks really good.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 11-11-2023, 05:43 PM

Here's my Nova puke tank. Mounted, at the time, in my '68 C/10 Stepside w/292. Since the 292 L6 never gets hot enough to need it, I shifted the tank to my other truck, a 350-equipped '71 GMC K/1500 Jimmy.

10-30-2023, 03:09 PM	#1
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank I'm finishing the installation of an OER 551448 coolant recovery tank in my 69 C10. The tank is made for for 75-79 Nova and other similar GM cars, and it's what a few guys on this forum recommended. The main issue is supporting the bottom of the tank. I ended up using an "L" bracket bolted to the radiator support, with some weatherstripping glued to the top leg. Had to remove the battery box to get the tank in place. Now I have to remove the radiator to install three body bolts that secure the battery box to the rad support. They were hard to remove, but impossible to install without removing the rad. Bought some hi-temp 3/8" silicon tubing with 9/16" OD, which looks like it's going to work great. Hope it's OK with antifreeze. Here's a "work in progress" photo, along with one of the bracket underneath the tank. The tank cap is Dorman 82590. Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 10-30-2023 at 06:54 PM.

10-31-2023, 12:00 AM	#2
PbFut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ca Posts: 629	Re: OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank I found oer 493072 fit very well down in the void next to the primary battery box. It is not easily seen and cycles perfectly. It will take a few heat cycles to clear all the air. I am really pleased with function. Unless you look for it, the appearance of the area is pretty much factory looking. I like using a clear tube from the radiator neck to the bottle to monitor no air is in the system. I am now confident enough of the function that a swap to black tubing will finish off to a more factory appearance.

11-01-2023, 02:00 PM	#4
PbFut Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Ca Posts: 629	Re: OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank Here you go I am certainly not stock as well. Attached Images

11-01-2023, 02:45 PM	#5
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank Well, you did say you wanted a factory appearance. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

11-04-2023, 04:12 PM	#8
mongo4298 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 15	Re: OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank I used the Dorman 603-001. It was a good fit in front of the radiator. I also used clear tubing. Attached Images

11-11-2023, 05:43 PM	#10
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,500	Re: OER 551448 Coolant Recovery Tank Here's my Nova puke tank. Mounted, at the time, in my '68 C/10 Stepside w/292. Since the 292 L6 never gets hot enough to need it, I shifted the tank to my other truck, a 350-equipped '71 GMC K/1500 Jimmy. Attached Images __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

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