Overflow Tank ???

I need to put in a overflow tank in my caddy. I installed a BBC in it and I am going to be using a cross flow radiator which will need a puke tank. The overflow tanks that i have seen dont have a visible guage . What could I use that looks nice but not out of place

 

I think those Caddys used what looked like a big fruit canning jar for a W-washer reservoir?
Add another one for the overflow.

 

good idea but will it take the hot coolant

 

Try Macs Radiators. I believe you can add a guage to these. If I remember right Moon had a pretty nice one years ago. It might still be in their catalog. Goodluck!

 

info I've seen on the online- a sight gl*** can be made with a couple of fittings, one high one low and some clear tubing. (I'm sure someone will provide some additional info)

some interesting catch cans out there. depends on what style your looking for. Older styles can be obtained off older cars, small engine gas tanks,old br*** fire extinguishers, old beer cans etc.

 

On the jar idea, I'm sure it'll take the coolant. I've been using a heavier plastic water bottle for a while now and it hasn't melted yet..

If it looks similar to the reservoir then it'll fit in and look cool.. My 2 cents.

 

Heres a pic of how the engine looks in the caddy

 

I am trying to keep it clean looking. kinda sorta stock I am really liking the wiper jar idea thanks everyone

 

water bladder? like the old jar idea

 

I've been kinda partial to the canton tank with sight gl***. Looks like the caddy would have room on the firewall.


http://www.cantonracingproducts.com/getimage.php?id=80-201

 

I got a big old gl*** soda pop bottle and made a simple metal bracket and just ran a rubber hose from the radiator to the top of the bottle. When it's full, I just lift it out and dump it back into the radiator which is easy being a bottle.

Here is a pic, but kind of hard to see - it's a dark green bottle next to the radiator. It's a cool old bottle with some kind of soda called "Speed Up". Must have been a real early version of Jolt or something. I got it off ebay for a few bucks. There are a lot of very strange bottles on ebay if you look.

 

since the ol style jar seems ok, how about one of the rectangular semi-clear plastic overflow tanks that set in a wire cage? Should be at most big name auto parts stores. Simple, yet looks old style without worry of gl***. Boy Caddy mill looks good.

 

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What are you using as a top radiator hose? Is that thing clear?

 

I used a jagermeister bottle, ill try and get a good picture, works awsome, been used for 2 years, and has even seen some extreme heat

 

If you crimped a beer bottle cap or something equivelent to the top of the bottle, drilled a hole in it, and ran the hose to the bottom of the bottle, the radiator will draw the water back after it cools without the coolant/water being wasted. I drilled a hole in the cap of my jager bottle, ran a fitting on either side, sandwiching the cap between, and used clear tubing from the radiator to the fitting, and from the fitting underneath to the bottom of the bottle. I have never had to remove the bottle to drain it. dont forget an air hole in the cap as well so that the air inside will escape while it siphons

 

Yeah, it's clear and has pretty thick walls, about 3/16" maybe. I had trouble with quick over heating and getting the air bubbles out of my motor once when I did a swap and I first put one on just so I could see if all the damn bubbles were out yet or not, water flowing, etc. That little trick worked successfully and then I just left it on for about 2 years until I swapped out the motor again and just went and got a fresh piece. That one has been on about 2 years now as well. Got it at Orchard Supply Hardware, buy it by the ft. for a few bucks ea. ft. Seems to work great and kind of nice to be able to see if/when the water is flowing. Instant water level check too. Don't even need to pull the radiator cap off to see it. Not too traditional, but that truck is more of a work truck anyway and not so critical on strict details such as that for this one.

One note though, this is on a non-pressurized system, so I can't say I would suggest it for a pressurized system. It is very thick and seems damn strong, but has no fiber reinforcing in the walls or anything like that.

 

Okay, it is clear tubing. My eyes weren't deceiving. I can't say I've ever seen that before. I think if I were using that tubing, I'd be tempted to go ******* and swap out every fluid line (fuel and coolant) with the clear stuff. Seen enough copper tubing, right? Might be entertaining for a while.

 

Maybe my system is a little different, but my hose just runs all the way to the bottom of my bottle and flows in and out without a problem. No need to make a fitting in the lid. It fills up when it gets hot and then ****s it back in when it cools down. Pretty nice actually. I'll probably get a cool looking bottle at some point instead of that ****py plastic bottle, but it works for now...

 

^^^
Yep, top picture pretty much same as mine. But, then why do you also have that other jar with 2 hoses?

I think you need a sealed, pressurized system for the back flow to work. I guess I probably could alter my radiator neck to do that, but seems like the overflow tube outlet would need to be altered or something maybe. I tried one of those ****py plastic ones form Kragen, but I hated even looking at it and didn't back flow either. So, that is why I just got an old bottle and did that. It doesn't fill up that fast and only need to dump it every once in a while. I don't take this truck on long trips where that kind of thing would be a bother.

Also, 35pontiac, I like the clear hose for that one, but not sure I would be too tempted to try if with an oil line, at least not for very long. Losing a water line is one thing, losing an oil line would be another different problem. But, maybe for a test just to see if oil was flowing or something maybe.

 

I am thinking of using one of these...I found an old one at a yard sale a few years ago and it looks like it's been around the block. I'm sure it was made well before the leaching plastic idea was ever around so I'm guessing the one I have doesn't have the coating inside. I'm not sure how the coating will react to hot ethylene glycol. I didn't even know mine was this same brand until I found the logo stamped into the bottom.

http://www.mysigg.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=606

 

Take this for what it's worth...

in the drag roadsters thread a fw pages back, look at one of the most recent pages (probably dated 11 July). There is a '60's era roadster in there with an old military aluminum canteen, mounted on the drivers side frame rail, upside down (e.g. twist off cap on bottom), with a fitting drilled into the top. It may or may not look good. You can find them at any swap meet or military clothing store for CHEAP.


I don't like gl***, as it has a tendency to break. I personally feel the gl*** bottles look, um, "R- word"-ish (sorry guys-no offense).

Anywho..jsut my $0.02...

found it!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368825&page=11 post #214, by thw infamous Kiwi Kev.

 

I made one of those into a power steering fluid resevoir, they look great,very unique. you do need a vent hole on the siphon, as the coolant contracts while cooling, it creates a vac***e in the tank that draws the fluid back out of the bottle, if there was no vent there would be an additional vac***e in the bottle.

 

got a pic?

 

I make an overflow tank like this, discounted for Alliance members:

 

Here ya go. Add one of these kits to the side of any tank you want...
http://www.bikerhotline.com/productshowcase/2008/08flyrtfuelsightgauge/

 

yea let me find em will take a few minutes.

 

I converted a byp*** oil filter from an old chevy I6.

 

ok here's the tank on my fan,



here's a picture before the ps tank before it was painted also went to a black line to the pump