cooling question
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cooling question
On my 79 f-100 302 can i add an overflow canister to the radiator like the newer vehicles have. if anyone has done this could you post a picture of it, and what temperature of thermostat do you run?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Saratoga, NY
I did this real cheap like on my 77 F-100, I first used an old bleach bottle, and then I upgraded to an empty Prestone jug. My radiator isn't designed to be filled to the top anyway, something like an inch from the top to allow for expansion so it doesn't immediatly shoot out of the overflow tube, unless of course it's gets really friggin hot. You can also buy kits at many auto parts stores for this purpose.
Phinxter
Phinxter
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Other side of the sunrise
It shouldn't be too hard to do. Just get a longer overflow hose, a closed system cap and find a overflow bottle at a wrecking yard and mount it on the front apron. Just make sure that the overflow hose goes down into the bottle.
It might help to go on ahead and salvage all of the parts ie hose cap and bottle, at a wrecking yard and just marry them up to your truck.
the reason you need to dip the hose into the bottle is so the coolant will go back into the radiator when the engine cools off (siphon, expansion and contraction affect)
It might help to go on ahead and salvage all of the parts ie hose cap and bottle, at a wrecking yard and just marry them up to your truck.
the reason you need to dip the hose into the bottle is so the coolant will go back into the radiator when the engine cools off (siphon, expansion and contraction affect)
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Albuquerque
I use a 180 degree stat...and seems to run fine.
I have been wanting to install an overflow tank also. I was thinking after installing the overflow...fill the radiator to the top. With an inch or two of fluid in the overflow already...stick the overflow hose into the overflow tank and let the truck get up to normal operating temp. This of course will cause the extra coolant to flow into the tank from the radiator. Not sure how I will determine the "low" and "high" mark on the overflow tank yet.
That should cover it? I can't think of anything else to consider? Hope this helps...
I have been wanting to install an overflow tank also. I was thinking after installing the overflow...fill the radiator to the top. With an inch or two of fluid in the overflow already...stick the overflow hose into the overflow tank and let the truck get up to normal operating temp. This of course will cause the extra coolant to flow into the tank from the radiator. Not sure how I will determine the "low" and "high" mark on the overflow tank yet.
That should cover it? I can't think of anything else to consider? Hope this helps...
Last edited by biz4two; Mar 8, 2004 at 10:12 PM.
Posting Legend
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Fill the radiator completely full. Fill the overflow about 1/3 full. Run the truck thru one heat cycle and record the high level when hot. Record the low level after it cools off. Check the radiator to make sure it is still full and that there are no leaks in the cap or overflow tube. If everything works you should know the difference between the two levels and can mark your overflow accordingly.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Charlotte NC
I live in Charlotte,NC. Alot of the auto parts stores here-and probably where you live sell a really nice kit for about 10-12 bucks. The bottle is plastic and it comes with a bracket that screws to the core support or wherever you want. You could also go out to a salvage yard and get one off a truck there.
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Lead Driver
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From: Albuquerque
If you get a kit it should come with a two way radiator cap that allow s for expansion and contraction.
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From: Albuquerque
Originally posted by Torque1st
Fill the radiator completely full. Fill the overflow about 1/3 full. Run the truck thru one heat cycle and record the high level when hot. Record the low level after it cools off. Check the radiator to make sure it is still full and that there are no leaks in the cap or overflow tube. If everything works you should know the difference between the two levels and can mark your overflow accordingly.
Fill the radiator completely full. Fill the overflow about 1/3 full. Run the truck thru one heat cycle and record the high level when hot. Record the low level after it cools off. Check the radiator to make sure it is still full and that there are no leaks in the cap or overflow tube. If everything works you should know the difference between the two levels and can mark your overflow accordingly.
