Hi All,
I just purchased a 71 Chevelle w/ a 454 engine. I noticed the anti-freeze appeared low when the car was cold. I topped it off, but as it heated, started to equalize out of the overflow tube. I know the antifreeze level will equalize to some level, that appears low when the engine is cold, but I still can't get used to the feeling that the system is low. Does anyone run an overflow bottle? Any recommendations?

Thanks, Joe

Do a search for recovery tank and there are lots of answers. Here's what I did on my 72. http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116084&highlight=recovery+tank

Joe,

A coolant recovery/overflow reservoir is a good idea. My '65 Chevelle doesn't have one and my '72 Plymouth does. So, thinking must have changed somewhere in between '65 and '72.

Without a coolant reservoir external to the radiator, the coolant is vented when the system pressure exceeds the radiator cap value. Coolant expands when heated. Liquids are not very compressible, so its going to build up pressure and vent. For example, the factory manuals for the older cars w/o reservoirs say to maintain coolant level an inch to inch and a half below the top when cold. Problem with this is: air fills the space when it cools down, and mixes with the coolant, and corrosion is the result.

So, you can arrange a reservoir for your car and use a radiator cap that is designed to be used in a reservoir system. Ideally, the system is leakfree and fluid vents past the radiator cap when hot and through the tube to the reservoir and the level in the reservoir rises. As the sytem cools down, the fluid contracts and flows back toward the radiator. The cap has a two-way valve capability that permits this. In a perfect system, there is a continuous volume of coolant in the radiator, and the tube that connects the radiator to the reservoir, and the reservoir. No air bubbles or air pockets.

I have a clear vinyl tube between the radiator and the reservoir. You can see the flow as the system heats up or cools down. Reservoir is translucent, so you can check and maintain the coolant level in the reservoir w/o removing the radiator cap and losing coolant or introducing air.

That's the way I see it.

My $0.02

Thanks for the good info!! This site is awesome!!

Joe

All parts from a mid 80's F body available at and Chevy dealer:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/BlueSS454/P1010022.jpg

Whatever you do, do not use the univeral recovery tanks from PepBoys, Autozone, etc. Their made in China. The 1st one I had leaked, and like a dumb @ss I went and bought another one that leaked a few months later. I ended up using my washer jar since I would never squirt fluid on my window anyway. Works like a charm!

2 ways to deal with it. 1. The old way,fill your radiator every month or so do to the fact some of your coolant is left on the ground. 2.Do it the right way which and eliminate the air in your system thus cutting down on corrosion and providing your engine with a consistant coolant flow and level. For every 1 pound your cap is rated at (should be either 13 or 15) your engine boiling point is increased by 3 degrees. Thats right water boils at 212 but if vented slowly (by the radiator cap) with a 15 pound cap it will boil at 257. Thats not a misprint,,, think of it like your making making spaghetti with a cover on top it boils quicker with it off "vented " it takes longer. Long story short,,, install an overflow tank get a new 15 lb. cap and Set the level and forget it.

There are tons of good puke bottles of all types in the salvage yards and they are priced pretty cheap too.
You do need to change the type of radiator cap also.

With no puke container, when you fill the radiator, you need to leave room for expansion or just let it take care of itself by dumping the extra out and not adding it back again.
Removing the cap when coolant is hot will usually result in some loss of coolant.

Anyone else have pictures of their overflow bottle? I'm looking for ideas. The one above looks pretty good but hard to see how it is mounted.

Mine is the same setup as the above photo. Not hard to mount. I cut one of the mounting "ears" off. I have another shot of it somewhere. Have to look later.



http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/coolant01.jpg

Here's the other photo from another angle.

White bottle.....GM #14070997
Bottle cap........GM #15630112
Rad cap...........GM #10409635

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/coolant02.jpg

I'm going to order this exact setup! Thanks for making my life easier...

Mine is mounted with those two sheet metal screws you see in the photo directly to the metal inner fender. I used a fairly long screw and a thick rubber washer between the reservoir bottle and the fender. If you need any other photos, etc. just send me a PM.

I have plastic inner fenders so I'll probably use a bolt, and nut... Thanks for the help...

Hey there Guys. I just finished mounting an overflow tank on my 70, 454. I took one of the readers advice and went to Advance Auto and picked up the tank. It can with a hose and mounting bracket. I swapped out the hose to a black one then mounted it on the inside fender well by the battery. Took about an hour and looks and works GREAT. This site is the best!!!!

Big Jim

See post #6 - keep an eye on that tank!

Here's the other photo from another angle.

White bottle.....GM #14070997
Bottle cap........GM #15630112
Rad cap...........GM #10409635

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/coolant02.jpg

Is there a way to tell what makes and models those would have came in? Why do you have to change the cap to add this? Or did I miss somthing (probably did:) ).

Why do you have to change the cap to add this? Or did I miss somthing (probably did:) ).

Go back and read #7 post.

Here's the other photo from another angle.

White bottle.....GM #14070997
Bottle cap........GM #15630112
Rad cap...........GM #10409635

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/coolant02.jpg

Just wondering what make/model vehicle that bottle was originally designed for? I'm off to ebay or the bone yards.....

Is there a way to tell what makes and models those would have came in?

I found out thru decoding the numbers, this bottle is the same bottle used in 1982-1987 Camaros. I'd imagine the same year (s) Firebirds used them too.