Does anyone have pics of an install of those aluminum overflow tanks for a 239 flat head in a 1950 truck??
Do you really need one or is it more of a look thing??
Will be running new water pumps, thermostats, rad flushed out. new rebuild on motor too.

Thanks for any input on the subject.

 

i have the same set up as u and i do not have a overflow. has not leaked any pressure from rad so far. just use tubing down the side.

 

I've never had one on either of my f1's here in AZ... Never had a problem needing a overflow tank. My first f1 had a I6 and then a 425ci Rocket motor in it ran great... My Current f1 has a 350ci and still no problem here in AZ.

 

Thanks for response.

I guess I'll leave it alone and keep the stock set up.

 

The advantage to an overflow tank is that when/if you ever have a flow over it will go into the tank, then as the truck cools it will pull the fluid back into the radiator.

You don't necessarily need one (unless you are going to the dragstrip). For the older systems they typically didn't fill the radiator tanks all the way to the top so that there was some room for expansion as the coolant got hot.

Bobby

 

The other advantage is that there is no air in the system, hot or cold. Helps with corrosion and additive life. For a stock flathead V8, with 22 qt system, you need an overflow tank that holds almost 2 qts tho.

 

Bobby and Ross are right. I installed a long, thin, SS tank from Speedway on my '50 as you can see from the picture below. It is enough to keep the system full but as Ross says if you were going to run it hard or tow it may need something larger. I installed it because it fit, looked good and did the job for my type of driving, cruising.