How high do you fill your rad?
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 4
How high do you fill your rad?
The rad attached to my 78 460 just has a hose running to the bottom of the truck for coolant overflow. After the last time I replaced the coolant I went by the spec in my Haynes manual which was to fill up to 3 inches below the filler neck. Which is basically the bottom of the rad's top tank. The truck has an issue with running hot in neck-deep traffic and I know part of that is because the rad needs replacing, that's on my to-do list, but I've also come to realize that the people at Haynes don't always know what they're talking about so I'm asking you guys who've had trucks like mine for much longer. Think I should fill it higher? This weekend I might just look at the junkyard for an overflow tank from a later model and install it.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,794
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From: Kansas City, KS
I'd fill it higher. Leave about 1 to 1 1/2 inches below the filler neck empty.
Worst case, it'll get to warm and you'll lose some of it on the pavement. Better to slightly overfill and lose a bit, IMHO.
Worst case, it'll get to warm and you'll lose some of it on the pavement. Better to slightly overfill and lose a bit, IMHO.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
With an overflow tank and the proper cap, such as I set up, you'd never have to pop the cap to refill the radiator. When I pull my cap, the coolant level is immediately below the cap, and the overflow tank has a few inches of coolant in it as well. Just a thought.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
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You can make an overflow tank by placing a gallon antifreeze jug, etc., near the radiator and running the overflow tube in the opening. Make sure the tube reaches pretty near the bottom and voila, there you are. Then top off the rad to full, put a quart or two of water/coolant in the jug, a new rad cap that allows syphoning back into the rad, and you are good to go. You can even make it more fancy by drilling two holes in the top of the jug, then run the overflow tube trough one opening and another drain tube through the other and have it long enough to reach near the bottom of the truck so the overflow doesn't get all over the engine. The drain tube should be placed so that it only goes into thte jug a couple of inches or so.
have fun,
Dan Harriman 84 f150 lwb
Orange, Texas
have fun,
Dan Harriman 84 f150 lwb
Orange, Texas
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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IMO even though that 's the cheap way.... that looks redneck or Mickey Mouse... 
You can get a combo coolant recovery / windshield washer reservoir from a Van or older truck.
It will look factory and saves space under the hood.
I'll post a photo of one later.
You can get a combo coolant recovery / windshield washer reservoir from a Van or older truck.
It will look factory and saves space under the hood.
I'll post a photo of one later.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 4
[QUOTE=m78]I dont think these trucks had them factory. [QUOTE]
They're rare if anything. A while back I did see a truck in the yard, I think it was a 79 that had an overflow tank attached to the fenderwell on a metal arm. Looked stock enough to me but I haven't seen one since so who knows..
They're rare if anything. A while back I did see a truck in the yard, I think it was a 79 that had an overflow tank attached to the fenderwell on a metal arm. Looked stock enough to me but I haven't seen one since so who knows..
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 103
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Rednecks RULE! LOL
However, I know that they had the dual overflow/washer tanks on 84 F series. Mounts on the left inner fender panel.
Livin it up in Orange, Texas...right next to the Redneck capital of Texas...Vidor! Yee-Haa!
Dan Harriman 84 f150 lwb
Orange, Texas
However, I know that they had the dual overflow/washer tanks on 84 F series. Mounts on the left inner fender panel.
Livin it up in Orange, Texas...right next to the Redneck capital of Texas...Vidor! Yee-Haa!
Dan Harriman 84 f150 lwb
Orange, Texas
