Do I require a coolant resevoir? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ubtripn · 01-13-2020, 06:55 PM

Do I need to set one up to catch overflow and can I just let it puke out a little after topping off and leave it there?

**tdangle** · 01-13-2020, 08:00 PM

If you don't add a coolant reservoir, just fill the rad to about 2" below full. That will give it room to expand when hot. That's what the manual says to do. If you add a reservoir be sure to change the rad cap to the correct type otherwise it will never draw any coolant from the tank to the radiator.

**truckster** · 01-13-2020, 08:37 PM

Not required, but nice to have.

**Stocker** · 01-14-2020, 12:05 AM

Ditto the above -- not required but nice to have. You can keep the radiator completely full at all times (which should aid cooling just a bit) and never dump any coolant on the ground.

It's cheap to buy, easy to install, and effective. What more can you ask for in a mod?

ubtripn · 01-14-2020, 01:54 PM

Sounds good, I'm on it.

68Gold/white · 01-14-2020, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

Not required, but nice to have.

X2, keeps radiator completely full, over flow tank is easier to maintain than radiator is (not having to deal with pressurized radiator cap), although checking the level in radiator on occasion is a must!!!

cypressbog · 01-14-2020, 05:43 PM

The truck never came with one, but if you're concerned a member here sells factory look ones. I just can't remember who? Classic Heartbeat maybe? Franks Pickmup?

LS short box · 01-14-2020, 11:28 PM

If you ever decide to run your truck at the track you must have a catch can of some sort. Just FYI.

Andy4639 · 01-15-2020, 10:27 AM

As stated not a must have but... Where I worked we had security guard's that checked the parking lots. If your vehicle puked antifreeze out and they saw it they put a sticker on your car. The sticker said either fix it are not drive it to work.
A good friend drove his old 39 Chevy to work after the third sticker they reported him to his boss-man and he was told either not drive it are find a new job. So he asked if he contained it would that be OK and they said yes. He put a half liter Coke bottle under it every time he drove it. He made a extension for the hose.

Thanks to the environmentalist manger at work.
True story.

**jeffahart** · 01-15-2020, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

As stated not a must have but... Where I worked we had security guard's that checked the parking lots. If your vehicle puked antifreeze out and they saw it they put a sticker on your car. The sticker said either fix it are not drive it to work.
A good friend drove his old 39 Chevy to work after the third sticker they reported him to his boss-man and he was told either not drive it are find a new job. So he asked if he contained it would that be OK and they said yes. He put a half liter Coke bottle under it every time he drove it. He made a extension for the hose.

Thanks to the environmentalist manger at work.
True story.

Ha that's classic. My son used to drive our 70 to high school on occasion. Back then the transfer, transmission and engine all three dripped. I told him to never park in the same spot twice, or that spot would start looking like an obvious oil slick.

I am now drip free and no longer require a drip pan in my driveway... what a milestone!

j

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 01-15-2020, 06:05 PM

They began installing them in 72, perhaps 70-71. Not all though, I imagine California led the way. It was a requirement for Federal trucks too, and listed on the SPID on some. To my knowledge they were expansion tanks.

Like others have said, better to have than not.

01-13-2020, 06:55 PM	#1
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Do I require a coolant resevoir? Do I need to set one up to catch overflow and can I just let it puke out a little after topping off and leave it there?

01-13-2020, 08:00 PM	#2
tdangle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,210	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? If you don't add a coolant reservoir, just fill the rad to about 2" below full. That will give it room to expand when hot. That's what the manual says to do. If you add a reservoir be sure to change the rad cap to the correct type otherwise it will never draw any coolant from the tank to the radiator. __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

01-13-2020, 08:37 PM	#3
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,873	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? Not required, but nice to have. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-14-2020, 12:05 AM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,579	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? Ditto the above -- not required but nice to have. You can keep the radiator completely full at all times (which should aid cooling just a bit) and never dump any coolant on the ground. It's cheap to buy, easy to install, and effective. What more can you ask for in a mod? __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

01-14-2020, 01:54 PM	#5
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? Sounds good, I'm on it.

01-14-2020, 05:43 PM	#7
cypressbog Go Pack Go! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Green Bay Posts: 2,669	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? The truck never came with one, but if you're concerned a member here sells factory look ones. I just can't remember who? Classic Heartbeat maybe? Franks Pickmup?

01-14-2020, 11:28 PM	#8
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 2,002	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? If you ever decide to run your truck at the track you must have a catch can of some sort. Just FYI.

01-15-2020, 10:27 AM	#9
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? As stated not a must have but... Where I worked we had security guard's that checked the parking lots. If your vehicle puked antifreeze out and they saw it they put a sticker on your car. The sticker said either fix it are not drive it to work. A good friend drove his old 39 Chevy to work after the third sticker they reported him to his boss-man and he was told either not drive it are find a new job. So he asked if he contained it would that be OK and they said yes. He put a half liter Coke bottle under it every time he drove it. He made a extension for the hose. Thanks to the environmentalist manger at work. True story. __________________ 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.

01-15-2020, 06:05 PM	#11
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,189	Re: Do I require a coolant resevoir? They began installing them in 72, perhaps 70-71. Not all though, I imagine California led the way. It was a requirement for Federal trucks too, and listed on the SPID on some. To my knowledge they were expansion tanks. Like others have said, better to have than not. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025



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