[Franchise]

Hey guys,

I am trying to keep my Chevelle very stock and original...but I need an anti-freeze reservoir!

Any ideas on one that keeps it close to original with minimal drilling?

thanks,
Ron

 

[blm]

Well Ron: What I did on my 69 was to take the windshield washer bottle which I believe was original and used that for an antifreeze overflow bottle. Just bought a new repo washer bottle and installed that in it's original location. I took the old bottle and bought an extra holding bracket (made for that bottle)and mounted those between the battery and the passenger fender. Can't really see it unless you are looking for it and the routing for the overflow was a short run.

 

[JWagner]

You would not need an overflow jug if you fill the radiator to the proper level. Look on the rear of your radiator and see if it has the fill line marked on it. The line is 3.5 inches below the filler opening. Or, just fill it so it covers the transmission cooler ( if so equipped).

 

[Schurkey]

Overflow bottle from an mid-'70's Nova (I think...) will slide behind the battery and be virtually invisible. (Downside: Impossible to inspect and to fill without removing the battery.)

That's what I'm using on my '68, anyway.

 

[mr 4 speed]

Overflow bottle from an mid-'70's Nova (I think...) will slide behind the battery and be virtually invisible. (Downside: Impossible to inspect and to fill without removing the battery.)

That's what I'm using on my '68, anyway.

X2 used that on my car when I go the dragstrip

 

[BillsCamino]

I've used a 2nd gen Camaro overflow setup in a few Chevelles...do a SEARCH for GM part numbers...cost about $20-25 and looks "factory".

 

[novaderrik]

i thought they had overflow tanks standard by then?
my 71 Nova had one and it looked pretty damn stock to me- so maybe 71 Chevelles did, too..

 

[MM54]

My 71 is all stock under the hood and there's no overflow tank.

 

[novaderrik]

You would not need an overflow jug if you fill the radiator to the proper level. Look on the rear of your radiator and see if it has the fill line marked on it. The line is 3.5 inches below the filler opening. Or, just fill it so it covers the transmission cooler ( if so equipped).

having a functioning overflow tank at the proper level with the proper cap helps keep the cooling system in better shape by not having any air sitting in the empty space at the top of the radiator where it can cause corrosion. it also allows a little bit of a "cushion" to allow the engine to not boil out excess coolant if it runs hotter than normal for some reason... it's a good thing to have, and the only penalty for having it is a white plastic jug sitting next to the battery and the weight of about 2 quarts of extra coolant.

 

[72ragtop]

X3 on the mid 70's Nova, I'm using that too.
Jim

 

[BlueSS454]

I am using a 3rd generation F body bottle setup on my 70. It fits on the fender and is GM, but obviously does not look original since they never had them to begin with.

 

[blacknblue]

Ron, Did you switch out that 195 degree t-stat? If not, I would give it a try before adding a bottle. JMO

 

[71-SS350]

I installed a overflow catch on my '71 Chevy 4x4 pickup I restored. Used a w/s washer tank and bracket, mounted it on the pass. side near the battery. Looks stock and functions quite well. I also changed out the stock radiator cap for a newer flip-up release lever for a closed cooling system. Plan on doing the same to my '71 Chevelle when I get to that point in the re-build.

 

[sglide]

Ron, if you go the route that Brad suggested, the cap from the overflow bottle on a mid 80s Toronado fits the windshield washer bottle and has 2 hoses on the lid, one from the radiator and one as the overflow out of the bottle. I attached a picture of it to a thread some time ago. Here is the link - http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=384229.

 

[JWagner]

In the original post , it was stated that he wanted to keep the car original looking. Adding a later model tank is not consistent with that. Just reverting to original specs for coolant fill would satisfy his needs, I think.

 

[Franchise]

THanks Guys!

Will check my levels...probably filling too high...

Troy-didnt switch out the stats yet...just been driving her ALOT...and running through antifreeze in this hot weather! its on the list...

I put a third gen Fbody reservoir on my clone...but wanted something more period correct/less obvious for now...

I will look into the bottle thing kind of cool...

what was stock, a glass bottle? or nothing?

 

[JWagner]

The original system had a rubber hose that went down toward the road; there was no container for coolant overflow. The hose is shown in the factory assembly manual. ( part nr 3153359)

 

[novaderrik]

just because no one's pointed it out yet (i think), you will need an overflow/catch can on the car if you ever want to run it on an NHRA sanctioned track.

 

[Schurkey]

The original system had a rubber hose that went down toward the road; there was no container for coolant overflow. The hose is shown in the factory assembly manual. ( part nr 3153359)

...and a radiator tank that's probably stamped with a "fill to this level" line or arrow, about 2--3 inches BELOW the rad cap opening.

Thus the beauty of the overflow tank: It (slightly) increases the cooling capacity of the radiator, because with the rad FULL, the top few rows of tubes are actually useful, instead of merely filled with air.

 

[Dean]

...and a radiator tank that's probably stamped with a "fill to this level" line or arrow, about 2--3 inches BELOW the rad cap opening.

Thus the beauty of the overflow tank: It (slightly) increases the cooling capacity of the radiator, because with the rad FULL, the top few rows of tubes are actually useful, instead of merely filled with air.

But the coolant expands above the tubes as soon as it starts to get warm.
If you fill it and let it puke out, it will wind up at the proper level.
One time doesn't warrant a puke catch tank.