Age-Appropriate(?) Radiator Overflow Bottle

mjlan · Aug 20, 2024

I would like to add a coolant recovery tank to my car but would like it to look like it was originally installed.

I can find a photo of an original accessory overflow bottle but have not seen one come up for sale (pics stolen from megasite):

Has anybody come up with something that isn't polished aluminum/ billet or parts store chintzy?

I've also considered trying to turn the winsheild washer tank into a coolant recovery as it would be very O.E. looking. Maybe that makes the most sense.

Thanks!

giantpune · Aug 20, 2024

My car came with a recovery tank that has been there since the 80s or 90s.

IDK if it fits he bill for what you're after or not.
Supposedly the ford one was identical to the aftermarket parts store one. It was first available in the parts stores as fitz-all, then ford added it as their own part number.

basstrix · Aug 20, 2024

This is what I ended up doing. The washer bottle will still fit in its OEM location....obviously, the ignition module is in the way on my install.

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-603-001-Coolant-Reservoir-Bottle/dp/B000E35UV2/ref=sr_1_2?sr=8-2

mjlan · Aug 20, 2024

Thanks to both of you.

That looks like a good option Basstrix!

I tried to "hide" my Dursapsark box...

giantpune · Aug 20, 2024

I went out and got a closer look on mine. It has big writing on it saying the patent number, 3614982.
Patent filed 1969, granted in 1971. I would say for the most period correct, mine is probably it.

Pictures in the patent application show it mounted on the inside of the driver's fender.

https://patents.google.com/patent/US3614982A/en
https://www.freepatentsonline.com/3614982.pdf

The dorman 54002 looks like a pretty good clone of it. And there's some older original ones on ebay, some with stickers still attached, for twice the price. The dorman part includes the same embossed text, including the patent number. They may have bought the original molds?

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...an-help-coolant-recovery-kit/mtm0/54002?pos=0
https://www.ebay.com/itm/144580814496

mjlan · Aug 21, 2024

Thanks for the details.

I'm not a fan of the wire basket thingy. I like basstrix's option because it has a similar look to the washer bottle with the molded flag/ bolt mounting layout.

midlife · Aug 21, 2024

If the radiator overflow bottle really needs to be age appropriate, then it needs to leak.

Cleveland Crush · Aug 21, 2024

midlife said:
If the radiator overflow bottle really needs to be age appropriate, then it needs to leak.

Spike Morelli · Aug 22, 2024

midlife said:
If the radiator overflow bottle really needs to be age appropriate, then it needs to leak.

Oh, leak huh? For that, you'd want to get the Chevrolet overflow bottle......

tony-muscle · Aug 22, 2024

I ended up going with @basstrix idea but I had to heat and curve the outside wall of the tank to mold around the A/C hoses. The curving of the wall can be made much better than what I did. I was in a hurry when I did it and I had a different set of A/C lines. This new set of A/C lines is routed a little different as you can see by the larger gap. I also sealed the little hole on the cap and added a vent nipple with a hose to the bottom in order to avoid a mess in the engine bay. I still had extra coolant leak inside the engine bay from the tank though. I have to fill it at below the "low" line. Otherwise it will overflow when the engine gets hot. As for support I didn't want to drill the two extra holes on the apron for the top ears so I used an existing bracket that I had in combination with a hole for the bottom ear. The A/C lines also add a little bit of pressure onto it so it won't go anywhere.

rcadd1ct · Aug 23, 2024

I didn’t see any measurements, but this looks promising

https://a.co/d/etZQRoH

detritusmaximus · Aug 23, 2024

Autozone:

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-he...yVo7Mg485NOMzyL4D3xoCXbAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

tony-muscle · Aug 23, 2024

detritusmaximus said:
Autozone:

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-he...yVo7Mg485NOMzyL4D3xoCXbAQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Nice that it has the angled wall that would go against the apron. Let us know if you try it.

detritusmaximus · Aug 23, 2024

The stainless or aluminum cylinder type aftermarket tanks could be bead blasted and painted to blend in. Maybe find a period correct l decal (Autolite or Motorcraft or HOT) to compliment it?

This one is already black and has a not too modern cap.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B08B...=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw

detritusmaximus · Aug 23, 2024

Also found these two with metal brackets they slide into. The bracket for the Kubota item looks like it could be modified to get the tank level.

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B0CB...d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWwp13NParams

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR3HNXX..._csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfcGhvbmVfc2hhcmVk

basstrix · Aug 23, 2024

rcadd1ct said:
I didn’t see any measurements, but this looks promising

https://a.co/d/etZQRoH

That's pretty slick.

MaddMike · Aug 24, 2024

I installed an overflow tank last winter and I did not want to remove the windshield washer reservoir. So this is what I came up with and what I used.

TheRktmn · Aug 24, 2024

In Cougar world we use these:

https://www.cjponyparts.com/windshield-washer-reservoir-bottle-hose-kit-mustang-1967-1968/p/WWK4/

The Cougar folks get the one with a Mercury emblem, but the Mustang tank with plain cap is the same thing. Not factory, but definitely something that was readily available for repurposing in the early 70s....

lectricegg · Aug 25, 2024

Amazon sells a combination bottle for some newer Fords. It wouldnt meet concourse, but functionally it should work. Around $50.

Age-Appropriate(?) Radiator Overflow Bottle

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