Radiator overflow basics

Eddyj · Mar 11, 2015

I'm finishing up a build with an old school Chevy small block with rear mounted radiator. The fill cap and overflow tank are right behind my head. It got me thinking I've never put any thought into my tank. I had an old fire extinguisher with a hose tuning to the bottom and lose cap. With it being behind my head and the very large possibility of roll over has me thinking I need to do it correctly.
Anyone have a good source of info? I'm getting a lot of conflicting info.

hokie_yj · Mar 11, 2015

Here's what I'm putting on my buggy. One of the tubes on the bottom is the inlet plumbed to the radiator overflow the other is a vent straw that goes almost to the top of the tank. I plan to just get a small filter to put on the vent tube.

hokie_yj · Mar 11, 2015

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=181659964684

Eddyj · Mar 11, 2015

hokie_yj · Mar 11, 2015

Does that link work? I copied that from the eBay app on my phone. When I clicked on it to see if it worked it took me back to the page where you check tracking, leave feedback, etc.

Eddyj · Mar 12, 2015

Yes sir

hokie_yj · Mar 12, 2015

Good deal.

Eddyj · Mar 13, 2015

Does it matter if it is lower or higher then the radiator?

hokie_yj · Mar 13, 2015

Mine is mounted lower than the rad cap. I'm not sure if that's correct or not, but in theory if the rad cap relieves and lets coolant flow to the overflow tank when it starts to cool back down it should suck the coolant back into the radiator.

Eddyj · Mar 13, 2015

My only concern is leaking in a roll over. Do you feel the cap make a good deal?

Thanks for your replies

hokie_yj · Mar 14, 2015

Yeah, the caps on the tanks I got seem to seal real tight.

You're welcome man, I'm glad to help. Just don't take my word for the gospel. There's a lot of people around that know way more than me. Lol.