Radiator overflow kit
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
Radiator overflow kit
lmc offers an overflow kit at about 15 $.
Is there anything to convert to use this kit? Any new caps or hoses to install or will the pressure of hot water fill the bottle and decreasing pressure suck off the water back into the radiator?
Gerhard
Is there anything to convert to use this kit? Any new caps or hoses to install or will the pressure of hot water fill the bottle and decreasing pressure suck off the water back into the radiator?
Gerhard
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 2
The picture is not mine, but you can use the kit to connect to the hose that attaches to the radiator fill neck and mount the bottle to a vacant space near the radiator. (The hose in the pic is not attached to any reclaim.)
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena, Ca
I dont think it will suck it back in, no. If you are overheating that bad, the radiator cap springs up to release the pressure, but does not stay open to allow water to suck back in.
You are supposed to only fill the radiator up to 1" below the fill neck anyway, so I dont see how the engine would pull any water back in. The only way an overflow tank would work is if it is park of the sealed system, like newer cars
These are a waste of time, money, and adds clutter on our trucks. Just my thoughts, if I am not understanding it correctly, someone can explain it.
You are supposed to only fill the radiator up to 1" below the fill neck anyway, so I dont see how the engine would pull any water back in. The only way an overflow tank would work is if it is park of the sealed system, like newer cars
These are a waste of time, money, and adds clutter on our trucks. Just my thoughts, if I am not understanding it correctly, someone can explain it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 106
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ok, the truck isn't overheating. The engine runs smooth and keeps cool.
Just thought, why is the kit offered and how does it work?
Yes, I understand, that the radiator is not filled up so the hot water can use more room. And the filler cap spring will open with to much pressure. And yes, the radiator wouldn't suck back in the water.
Ok, money saved for other items...
Thank you for your advices.
Just thought, why is the kit offered and how does it work?
Yes, I understand, that the radiator is not filled up so the hot water can use more room. And the filler cap spring will open with to much pressure. And yes, the radiator wouldn't suck back in the water.
Ok, money saved for other items...
Thank you for your advices.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
Likes: 5
From: Pasadena, Ca
I had an aftermarket overflow reservoir on a '79 f250 that overheated. All it did was release the pressure into the reservoir and instantly blew the screwed on cap off and sprayed coolant up and over my engine rather than just releasing it downward onto the ground.
But let's hear from others.
But let's hear from others.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
It doesn't work like the new ones, like everybody's said - the "outer" cap isn't sealed, so it can't pull it back in as the engine cools off. Not sure if there's a newer-style cap that will fit the neck, and REALLY not sure on newer aluminum radiators, if they have a cap designed to do that....
One pickup that I bought used had one, it was a quart oil bottle mounted down on the frame rail with a hole drilled in the lid for the overflow hose - works fine
. Does basically the same as the LMC kit, if you overfill the radiator, it keeps it from dripping on the ground in a parking lot. IF you had the correct cap on the radiator,, and IF you ran the hose to the bottom of whatever reptacle you choose to use, then it should work as a recovery tank...... Even if it just catches it, in a boil-over situation, there'd still be enough in the overflow jug to dump back into the radiator. So it still isn't all bad.
One pickup that I bought used had one, it was a quart oil bottle mounted down on the frame rail with a hole drilled in the lid for the overflow hose - works fine
. Does basically the same as the LMC kit, if you overfill the radiator, it keeps it from dripping on the ground in a parking lot. IF you had the correct cap on the radiator,, and IF you ran the hose to the bottom of whatever reptacle you choose to use, then it should work as a recovery tank...... Even if it just catches it, in a boil-over situation, there'd still be enough in the overflow jug to dump back into the radiator. So it still isn't all bad.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: british columbia, canada
Why not grab 1 off a newer truck from the wreckers? Although I think its a complete waste of time. If the cooling system is in proper order it,s not nessasary. Like already said, just run the coolant an " lower than the cap. Done.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 31
From: Nevada
Caps and Overflow
I can only speak for my story... 76 FE390, put a new Champion 3 row radiator in during my rebuild. Had problems with over pressure and overheating with the supplied 16psi cap. Replaced with 13psi Stant lever cap, also installed the same reservoir you are looking at. All of my problems went away, Coolant would overflow into the reservoir when it got past the 13psi cap and sucks back in the radiator when it cools off..... 
The reservoir you are looking at is the generic one they sell at the mc.parts stores. If you get one, buy your own rubber hoses and clamps. The ones that come with the kit are pathetic. If you want pics just say so.... BTW ford calls for the 13psi cap.... someone should have told Champion that i guess
The reservoir you are looking at is the generic one they sell at the mc.parts stores. If you get one, buy your own rubber hoses and clamps. The ones that come with the kit are pathetic. If you want pics just say so.... BTW ford calls for the 13psi cap.... someone should have told Champion that i guess
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 855
Likes: 56
From: Des Moines, Washington
I’ve had a kit laying around for most of 20 years. Installed it when I replaced the radiator with a new spectra and a new cap. Works as advertised. Normally, the level sits about an inch and a half below the neck. Now it’s full to the top. It did take a few top offs to get it there.
Michael
Michael
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 60
From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA
I installed a tank similar to their stainless steel tank kit (36-4087), but the same principle applied, and I needed to add the recovery type cap. Then it worked well.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 2
From: where the deer and antelo
You do need a recovery style radiator cap for the overflow system to work as designed. I suspect about any radiator cap you buy today is set up for a recovery system. Any parts house will have a generic overflow kit that you could buy locally.
Before I put an overflow kit on my truck you couldn't keep antifreeze over the top of the radiator core. Drive it for a few miles and it would be blown out on the ground. With the kit, the antifreeze stays to the bottom of the fill neck.
Before I put an overflow kit on my truck you couldn't keep antifreeze over the top of the radiator core. Drive it for a few miles and it would be blown out on the ground. With the kit, the antifreeze stays to the bottom of the fill neck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 19
From: Regina, Saskatchewan
Does anyone have any newer trucks they've pulled their overflow reservoirs off of?
I haven't seen anyone post a "reservoir upgrade" thread on the forum yet. I'm betting there are a few factory overflow tanks we could use in place of an aftermarket one.
I haven't seen anyone post a "reservoir upgrade" thread on the forum yet. I'm betting there are a few factory overflow tanks we could use in place of an aftermarket one.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Ford offered a dealer installed coolant recovery kit (D0AZ-8522-A) for 1970/79 V8 F100/350's, but a similar kit was available from auto parts stores.
No one has any of the genuine Ford kits NOS
The only trucks that came with a factory installed coolant recovery reservoir were 1971/79 F100/250 with 240/300 I-6's.
No one has any of the genuine Ford kits NOS
The only trucks that came with a factory installed coolant recovery reservoir were 1971/79 F100/250 with 240/300 I-6's.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 2
From: Northern Michigan
It doesn't work like the new ones, like everybody's said - the "outer" cap isn't sealed, so it can't pull it back in as the engine cools off. Not sure if there's a newer-style cap that will fit the neck, and REALLY not sure on newer aluminum radiators, if they have a cap designed to do that....
One pickup that I bought used had one, it was a quart oil bottle mounted down on the frame rail with a hole drilled in the lid for the overflow hose - works fine. Does basically the same as the LMC kit, if you overfill the radiator, it keeps it from dripping on the ground in a parking lot. IF you had the correct cap on the radiator,, and IF you ran the hose to the bottom of whatever reptacle you choose to use, then it should work as a recovery tank...... Even if it just catches it, in a boil-over situation, there'd still be enough in the overflow jug to dump back into the radiator. So it still isn't all bad.
One pickup that I bought used had one, it was a quart oil bottle mounted down on the frame rail with a hole drilled in the lid for the overflow hose - works fine
. Does basically the same as the LMC kit, if you overfill the radiator, it keeps it from dripping on the ground in a parking lot. IF you had the correct cap on the radiator,, and IF you ran the hose to the bottom of whatever reptacle you choose to use, then it should work as a recovery tank...... Even if it just catches it, in a boil-over situation, there'd still be enough in the overflow jug to dump back into the radiator. So it still isn't all bad.
