over thinking the radiator overflow...??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Luvlegs · 01-09-2011, 06:28 PM

It's only a mock up but it works great. It's the regular washer bottle, bracket, cap, and suction tube (down to the bottom, minus the screen). I changed the radiator cap to I think 17 lbs... not sure on that but, it works - it pushed a little into the bottle and when it was cooled off, it had dropped from 3 pints to 2. It's been run 5 ot 6 times now. The original cap has a small hole in the center of the cap even so I didn't do anything otherwise.

I do have a new 4 core radiator for the I6 but the cab heater and engine cooling is working fine and eventually the 454 will go in (probably when the radiator is worn out!

)

*lakeroadster* · 01-09-2011, 06:41 PM

You may find that the plastic material that the windshield washer fluid reservoir is made from won't stand up "long term" to the antifreeze chemicals and temperature.

This begs the question though.... what are you doing for washer fluid?

cdowns · 01-09-2011, 06:43 PM

i'm not a big fan of higher pressure caps, i've found over the years its a good way to cause older radiators and heater cores to blow apart at the seams. i've always been fine with 8-12lb caps

Luvlegs · 01-09-2011, 06:54 PM

It's a brand new radiator and it may be the lower pressure cap you mention (I can't remember what I bought (have to look at it again)). The original washer bottle is on the other side of the engine compartment in the stock location.

**oldgold70c10** · 01-09-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakeroadster

You may find that the plastic material that the windshield washer fluid reservoir is made from won't stand up "long term" to the antifreeze chemicals and temperature.

This begs the question though.... what are you doing for washer fluid?

He should be fine. The same plastic us used for coolant overflow bottles.
I did the same thing on my truck and burb. Looks factory.

**leddzepp** · 01-09-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgold70c10

The same plastic us used for coolant overflow bottles.

Longhorn Man · 01-09-2011, 11:41 PM

run a longer hose down under the battery and up to the cap for a cleaner look.

I did mine a little different. I put a nipple in the bottom of the tank, ran that to the rad overflow, then chopped the tube that goes inside the tank to the cap about 2 inches from the top of the tank. Coolant is pushed in and sucked back out from the bottom of the tank, and then if it gets filled up, it pushes it out the tube in the cap and onto the pavement.

AirSpeed · 01-10-2011, 03:10 PM

Does that cap have the valve in it to allow the coolant to flow back in the radiator when it cools off? I know some of the only release the coolant. I had to replace mine, it didnt have the little valve and wouldnt refill without it

barryvanhook · 01-10-2011, 04:27 PM

I'm using the same plastic tank and mounting bracket .... but mine is mounted on the DS of the radiator on the core support. It looks a lot more sanitary than the "kit" sold by LMC and others.

Barry

01-09-2011, 06:28 PM	#1
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	over thinking the radiator overflow...??? It's only a mock up but it works great. It's the regular washer bottle, bracket, cap, and suction tube (down to the bottom, minus the screen). I changed the radiator cap to I think 17 lbs... not sure on that but, it works - it pushed a little into the bottle and when it was cooled off, it had dropped from 3 pints to 2. It's been run 5 ot 6 times now. The original cap has a small hole in the center of the cap even so I didn't do anything otherwise. I do have a new 4 core radiator for the I6 but the cab heater and engine cooling is working fine and eventually the 454 will go in (probably when the radiator is worn out!) Attached Images __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew! Last edited by Luvlegs; 01-09-2011 at 06:28 PM.

01-09-2011, 06:41 PM	#2
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: over thinking the radiator overflow...??? You may find that the plastic material that the windshield washer fluid reservoir is made from won't stand up "long term" to the antifreeze chemicals and temperature. This begs the question though.... what are you doing for washer fluid?

01-09-2011, 06:43 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: over thinking the radiator overflow...??? i'm not a big fan of higher pressure caps, i've found over the years its a good way to cause older radiators and heater cores to blow apart at the seams. i've always been fine with 8-12lb caps __________________ 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

01-09-2011, 06:54 PM	#4
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: over thinking the radiator overflow...??? It's a brand new radiator and it may be the lower pressure cap you mention (I can't remember what I bought (have to look at it again)). The original washer bottle is on the other side of the engine compartment in the stock location. __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

01-09-2011, 11:41 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: over thinking the radiator overflow...??? run a longer hose down under the battery and up to the cap for a cleaner look. I did mine a little different. I put a nipple in the bottom of the tank, ran that to the rad overflow, then chopped the tube that goes inside the tank to the cap about 2 inches from the top of the tank. Coolant is pushed in and sucked back out from the bottom of the tank, and then if it gets filled up, it pushes it out the tube in the cap and onto the pavement.

01-10-2011, 03:10 PM	#8
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,026	Re: over thinking the radiator overflow...??? Does that cap have the valve in it to allow the coolant to flow back in the radiator when it cools off? I know some of the only release the coolant. I had to replace mine, it didnt have the little valve and wouldnt refill without it

01-10-2011, 04:27 PM	#9
barryvanhook Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 148	Re: over thinking the radiator overflow...??? I'm using the same plastic tank and mounting bracket .... but mine is mounted on the DS of the radiator on the core support. It looks a lot more sanitary than the "kit" sold by LMC and others. Barry __________________ Barry L. Van Hook '69 Chevy Frankentruck



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