Radiator Overflow Tank Question

[basstrix]

The bottle is 4 x 5 x 6.5. I estimate 1/2 gallon. It has a fairly thick wall and 3 mounting points. It appears to be made from polyethylene and is sturdy. I had a little trouble with keeping the hose sealed that plugs into the bottom. A zip tie fixed that.

 

[Charlie71]

This is my recovery setup in the fender well. Generic plastic tank from I think AutoZone. Works great for many years.

Hello Cleveland Crush,
Noticed the pictures of your Champion Radiator install. Did you make the upper support brackets or did you purchase them?
I'm installing a Champion 3 core right now and came up with a similar thought on the mounts. I have a mill and can make the brackets, but if they are for sale by someone, I'll buy them.

I appreciate your help
I also sent you a PM.

 

[Steve McMahan]

CC, I’m interested in your radiator locators as well. Mine are just temporary. Looks like you used the stock mounting locations.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

CC, I’m interested in your radiator locators as well. Mine are just temporary. Looks like you used the stock mounting locations.

I'll post some photos for you shortly.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

CC, I’m interested in your radiator locators as well. Mine are just temporary. Looks like you used the stock mounting locations.

Lower brackets are 100% factory, worked perfectly, make sure the lower factory rubber inserts are in decent condition.
I fabricated the upper Alumnium backets using a bench vice and rubber mallet. Used all existing factory bolt holes. Sanded and polished brackets to make everything look pretty. Used a hand drill and file to cut the slots. Project was a simple and fun job actually (for once!). Material used was 1/8th x 1" Aluminum strap available at any hardware store. Used two small peices of cut rubber hose between radiator and core support as a cushion (can barely be seen in some photos, can not be seen by casual observation) By a couple feet of Aluminum to allow for potential screw-ups, not that would ever happen to me...

 

[Steve McMahan]

That is some fine craftsmanship. My issue is, in order to make the radiator fit the engine fan, I had to lower the radiator quite a bit, and in no way could I use anything remotely stock looking. So, what I want to do is, use the stock upper locators, since they are aligned pretty well to the location holes, and make the part that holds/locates the radiator where it is.

So, I would like to use the stock upper locator brackets; I’ve just have to hack, bend, and weld them at some point. I am using the stock lower brackets, I just had to relocate them lower. It’s not a great job; I hope to remove it and create a better weld-nut type of attachment. But it works today.

 

[tony-muscle]

That is some fine craftsmanship. My issue is, in order to make the radiator fit the engine fan, I had to lower the radiator quite a bit, and in no way could I use anything remotely stock looking. So, what I want to do is, use the stock upper locators, since they are aligned pretty well to the location holes, and make the part that holds/locates the radiator where it is.

So, I would like to use the stock upper locator brackets; I’ve just have to hack, bend, and weld them at some point. I am using the stock lower brackets, I just had to relocate them lower. It’s not a great job; I hope to remove it and create a better weld-nut type of attachment. But it works today.


View attachment 90746View attachment 90747View attachment 90748

Which radiator are you using? The good thing is that bigger should be better. I remember i had to hack the lower as well but i cant remember if it was because it being wider.

 

[Steve McMahan]

In theory, it’s a stock replacement, aluminum version. If you look back in my build thread, you’ll see the struggle I had, trying to retain the stock fan from the 87 TBird I pulled this swap from. While it was a more complicated integration than I had expected, I’m glad now it worked. The mechanical fan/radiator combo is doing a great job of keeping the engine cool.

 

[Charlie71]

Hello Folks,
Thought that I'd add to this thread with a recent modification I made to my 71. A shout out to @Cleveland Crush for his inspiration on the mounting brackets.
I bought a Champion 3 core Radiator with the 13" overflow tank. The Champion guys told me that it was almost a drop-in mount with a few differences. I discovered that the upper brackets fit dimensionally, but not functionally. The lower brackets worked well after making a spacer on the driver's side to keep the radiator against the frame.
While there aren't pictures of the shroud, I used the existing lower clips which matched the radiator perfectly. I did have to drill new holes for the upper shroud mounts.,
Prior to doing the install, I flushed out the block. It was nasty! With no exaggeration, I went through 60 gallons ((12) 5 gallon buckets) before I had clear water. I used the Lyle back flush tool (https://www.lislecorp.com/specialty-tools/hose/60800-heater-core-backflush-tool-with-air nozzle) that uses water pressure and compressed air to clean the heater core and block. Using common plumbing fittings to create an adapter from a 5/8 heater hose to the 2" top hose worked perfectly.

Cooling works well and I actually have heat coming from the heater core if I want it

 

[Steve McMahan]

Very nice design and craftsmanship.