Radiator Overflow Tank

[MaddMike]

I want to add a radiator overflow tank. I know in years past they had a petcock for drainage. But everything I see has a vacuum system moving coolant back and forth. My question is, does that concept work on our old radiators and caps? If I connect to overflow tube to a tank will it pull back and forth or just be a reservoir for overflow?

 

[detritusmaximus]

You need the right type radiator cap.

 

[MaddMike]

You need the right type radiator cap.

Aha, so suffice to say that if it has an "Integrated coolant reclamation valve", it should be good to go.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Yes, you can hook up a true return system with some basic, easy to buy parts. The proper style return radiator cap is especially important. Of course your choice is more of a factory correct look or aftermarket style. Here's how I did mine:

 

[Sheriff41]

I added one to my 72 back in the late '70s so I could run on the local drag strip. It's still on there today and working fine. I mounted it on the front of the core support to the right of the radiator. I'll add a picture later. It's not as nice as the one @Cleveland Crush has. It is similar to this one:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...1664954739418&utm_content=GSAPI+5ba262a7e55de

 

[basstrix]

I believe the cap is called a Recovery cap. Very common. There's a tube that connect to the radiator neck and goes to the bottom of the bottle to act as as a straw when the coolant cools off and contracts. The connection at the radiator has to be air tight or it will pull in air instead of coolant. Here's the one I'm using at the moment. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-603-001?rrec=true

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Yes, you can hook up a true return system with some basic, easy to buy parts. The proper style return radiator cap is especially important. Of course your choice is more of a factory correct look or aftermarket style. Here's how I did mine:

 

[RIBS]

I bought a black powder coated one from Amazon, mounted it on fron to radiator support on passenger side…works great!

 

[MaddMike]

Thanks, it is all good info I appreciate and I am interested in additional photo examples. I am trying to keep it relatively stock in appearance but it ain't all to spec so I am not overly concerned if it strays a bit custom. However, I have (Sanden) A/C, and my wiper washer reservoir is mounted. With that in Mind I think my only option is in front of the radiator support on the right side.

 

[tony-muscle]

I am using a Dorman 603-506. Here is an old pic: https://7173mustangs.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-car-today.457/page-273#post-280763
I am still using it. This tank fits well but it is on the smaller side. If your radiator is filled you need to fill the tank right under the "low" mark because otherwise it will puke coolant all over. I even added a recover tank overflow hose but if too full, it ends up puking it over the engine bay. I like this setup because it fits nicely between the radiator and apron but as I said, ideally, it could be a bit bigger.

 

[351c1971]

I also used the black powder coated overflow can from Amazon. However, I had to add a vent tube fitting in the cap to avoid system over pressure.
Also, learned something new today and ordered a Motorcraft RL12 radiator cap which is specified for closed/open coolant recovery systems.
Thanks basstrix

My alunimum mounting bracket, on the driver side of the radiator support, used 2 existing holes.

 

[Sheriff41]

I added one to my 72 back in the late '70s so I could run on the local drag strip. It's still on there today and working fine. I mounted it on the front of the core support to the right of the radiator. I'll add a picture later. It's not as nice as the one @Cleveland Crush has. It is similar to this one:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...1664954739418&utm_content=GSAPI+5ba262a7e55de

 

[73MustangCoupe]

Hey MaddMike,
I installed a radiator overflow catch can on the Rickster. Here is a link showing what I did.

https://7173mustangs.com/threads/the-rickster-a-73-mach-1-work-in-progress.16772/post-414648
It's very similar to what Gil Hale did on his Mach 1. If I were to do it over, I'd go with a black reservoir that is 2-3 inches shorter that what I have to make it easier to route the hoses on the bottom. On mine, it's a tight fit around the front valance. Good luck with it.

 

[RIBS]

Black powder coated off Amazon, $29? Plus some hoses and hardware….

 

[vintageman]

Black powder coated off Amazon, $29? Plus some hoses and hardware….

RIBS, I think your original post on this tank made me pick one up, love the style of it. I got mine in Ford Blue but have not mounted it yet, do you have any pics of the hose routing and which rad cap you used? Thanks for the pic on the mounting location, I was looking at the drivers side of the car. Thanks.

Tom

 

[giantpune]

I grabbed a universal stainless one. I mounted it using a scrap of aluminum bar stock. It uses the existing threaded holes in the radiator support. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/OER-60761

 

[RIBS]

RIBS, I think your original post on this tank made me pick one up, love the style of it. I got mine in Ford Blue but have not mounted it yet, do you have any pics of the hose routing and which rad cap you used? Thanks for the pic on the mounting location, I was looking at the drivers side of the car. Thanks.

Tom

I don’t have pics of routing, but looped off radiator cap location and ran it underneath top edge of radiator support and kept it tucked in with zip ties,, then slights down passenger side of AC condenser to tank. For tank outlet I went down side of condenser and down the back of front suspension crossmember, i might relocate that later….you can see it hanging low in picture, and I will clean it up someday….

I think my cap is a standard spring loaded pressure cap…NPD, rock auto or auto parts store variety, it seems to push and pull coolant as needed…

 

[vintageman]

Thanks RIBS.

Tom

 

[Aus73Mach1]

Another photo.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

I'm "peeling off" the rubber peel coat paint behind all 4 wheels and recoating with it. After about 4 years (~4,000 miles) this stuff did a great job protecting the lower paint from stone chips.