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Radiator Overflow/Coolant Recovery

roadrunner57

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So I filled the radiator up on the 440, only to find out it leaked. I took the radiator to the radiator shop that has been around at least 60 years and got some advice too. According to him, I should use a 7 to 10 pound radiator cap and have an overflow bottle or better yet, a recovery system. He said, ‘use anything that will hold fluid. I have even used a beer can before. Remember, 7 to 10 pound cap, 10 max.’ So that is what I did.
Some may disagree with his assessment, but I chose to listen since he and his family has been doing this forever. I would like to hear opinions on the ’10 pound max’ though.

Anyway, I had started thinking about that months ago and started poking around to see what is available. For anywhere from $10 to $100 or much more, you could buy something that would look cool and maybe function, who knows. In my garage I ran across a windshield washer reservoir out of my old 78 Chevy pickup. It would fit on the driver’s side between the radiator and fender, but still that was a little concerning. I mean who the hell wants a Chevy part on your precious MOPAR??? Well, that would be me. But while screwing around with the power steering pump and pulley, I discovered a treasure trove of space under the battery. So now I can have a Chevy part on my roadrunner and nobody will see it and laugh at me. Plus, it should function well too.


So I just cut a piece of sheet metal three inches wide and eight inches long, bent lips on both ends and mounted it. There is a hole in the radiator support (guess that is what it is called), drilled a hole in the newly invented ‘box’ and screwed a bolt in. I mounted the windshield wiper bottle in it, connected hoses, now the repurposed windshield washer bottle has been reborn as a ‘coolant recovery system’. He is so proud.


So I drilled two holes in the top of the bottle for the hoses. The one was a 3/8 and the other a ¼ I believe. Then inserted grommets and the recovery hose to the radiator and via the grommet. Inserted an overflow hose in the smaller grommet and ran it down the radiator to drain underneath. I inserted the recovery hose at a depth of about two inches and the recovery hose to the bottom.


Anyway, cheap and easy. The only downside is it is under the battery. If I want to add fluid to the recovery system, the battery has to be removed. No big deal, takes a minute. After the engine is started and run for a cam break in, I will remove the battery and pour a half pint or so coolant it as it is only a three pint bottle.


Below are pictures of this fabulous invention that probably has been invented before. But hey, we cannot have enough ingenuity!!!

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Just pull the hose off the radiator and fill the jug as needed.
 
So I filled the radiator up on the 440, only to find out it leaked. I took the radiator to the radiator shop that has been around at least 60 years and got some advice too. According to him, I should use a 7 to 10 pound radiator cap and have an overflow bottle or better yet, a recovery system. He said, ‘use anything that will hold fluid. I have even used a beer can before. Remember, 7 to 10 pound cap, 10 max.’ So that is what I did.
Some may disagree with his assessment, but I chose to listen since he and his family has been doing this forever. I would like to hear opinions on the ’10 pound max’ though.

The higher the pressure on the cap, the more it raises the boiling point. I would like to hear his theory on using this? I forget what # cap should be on there? But like I always say, "if it works good, use it!" Good Luck
 
If the system is large enough and efficient the pressure cap is for the most part irrelevant. When you need to contain it due to extremes the cap can help. Having a recovery system allows the system to stay full where the non-recovery can just puke it on the ground and you end up topping off the system often. I prefer to run about a 16 pound cap and a recovery system.
 
The original radiator is designed to be filled to max, 1" from bottom of fill neck. No more. This type of tank is it's own expansion tank. The 1" gives room for that expansion as coolant gets hot. It may puke just a little the 1st couple times you drive it until it gets the expansion area correct. Do not keep filling it up, check and if it stops puking after shut off but still has coolant in upper tank, then that is the correct level for that radiator, engine combo.

The pressure on my stock '67 was 14psi cap. Newer engines use higher. I currently use 16psi. But if you can find 14, that allows for a higher boiling point. Our old cars have old heater cores and old radiators. Too much psi and the soldered seams can burst.
 
20210310_173531.jpg
I used this stainless steel one from eBay it measures 19.5" from the bottom of the can to the top of the cap. And it fits great in my 69 charger. And it's not a Chevy part.
 
Yes, 2" diameter.
Thanks. I have a 3 inch and it will not fit like yours. I believe I may be able to mount it in the front side of the core support. Will know more when I get the front sheet metal on.
 
I have used a gallon antifreeze jug. The race track required a puke can and it was handy.
 
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