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Radiator Overflow Bottle options?

Posted By: WO23Coronet

Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/13/15 11:19 PM

Got a '67 Coronet with a 440 and an aftermarket aluminum rad. The previous owner added a 473 ml Mountain Dew bottle for an overflow and it's not quite cutting it.
It doesn't look like there a factory one (didn't pop up after a Google search)so I'm wondering what guys have been using. Would prefer a plastic bottle type, not really into the aluminum look. Don't care what it's off of, if one off of a Yugo will work and doesn't look like hell, I'll use it. Also not afraid of doing some fabricating. So any recommendations?
Posted By: YO7_A66

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/13/15 11:58 PM

I used the Dorman reservoir #603-12.

Attached picture Dorman 603-12.JPG
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 01:25 AM

When NHRA fisrt required them, 1 pint over flow reservoirs, we used a empty one quart Pennzoil gear grease bottle, a peice of rubber hose over the overflow nipple on the radiator down into the bottle and we went racing thumbs I did use a platsic zip tyerap to hold it onto the radiator support when sitting on top of the passneger side front subframe thumbs that always got us through tech. at every track we raced at out west shruggy
Posted By: minivan

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 02:50 AM

I purchased one of the hot rod cans from summit or jegs.. Installed it between my radiator and the grill.. Have to look for it to see it... NO problems since I installed it..

Attached picture DSCF0143.JPG
Posted By: AndyF

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 03:38 AM

That Dorman one looks good. I used one from a Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner unit is a simple rectangular design that fits really well next to the radiator. It has a tube that goes down below water level so the overflow is pulled back into the radiator as the water cools down.

If you get the overflow bottle set up properly with the proper cap and the tube below the water level then you can run the radiator full of water and gain some cooling capacity.
Posted By: WO23Coronet

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 05:46 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. What is the application for the Dorman one? The # you gave doesn't come back to anything.
Posted By: tman

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 06:59 AM

Can always get a universal one similar to this.

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-603-001-Coolant-Reservoir-Bottle/dp/B000E35UV2
Posted By: YO7_A66

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 12:23 PM

I left off a "1". Try this:
http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemdetail.aspx?ProductID=44832&SEName=603-121
Posted By: YO7_A66

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/14/15 12:39 PM

(To answer a couple of my PM's)

Using the picture in my above post, you can see a brass insert in the "snout" of the reservoir. I pulled it out (lightly slipped into the plastic) and tapped the hole for a barbed fitting/bushing. I don't recall if I tapped it for an 1/8 or a 1/4 fitting. But the hole was perfect for one of those sizes. I just tapped it out for the NPT fitting and used sealant on the threads of the fitting. I then let it dry and then ran the overflow rubber hose from the cap to this fitting. Then there is another overflow fitting on the top of the cap that I added another rubber hose too and ran it to the ground.

I was surprised on how much more coolant the system took once I filled the reservoir. I had to keep topping it off to the point that I thought it had a leak. It works great and it passes coolant back and fourth as needed. I used a Vented 16lb cap.
You can see how much lower the reservoir sits than the top of the radiator.

Attached picture Dorman 3.JPG
Posted By: Mattax

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/19/17 08:07 PM

Originally Posted By AndyF
That Dorman one looks good. I used one from a Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner unit is a simple rectangular design that fits really well next to the radiator. It has a tube that goes down below water level so the overflow is pulled back into the radiator as the water cools down.


Old thread revival:
Andy - Do you have any pictures showing the 4runner overflow in your car?
Looking to get an idea of how deep it is. Dorman only lists w & h for their repop. Plus my experience is that their dimensions can not be relied on as sometimes they are package dimensions rather than product.
Posted By: second 70

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/19/17 11:20 PM

Matt on mine I used the washer fluid container. Just hooked it to bottom of tank but I had to drill a vent hole in the back at the top because without this it some how vapor locked the radiator. I know people will say it won't but mine did and the vent hole fixed it. Been running this way for over 7 years and no problems.

Mike

Attached picture IMG_1264.JPG
Posted By: Mattax

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/20/17 02:22 PM

Thanks. Looks very neat. My compartment is a bit different.

I'm looking to squeeze a bottle between the radiator and the horns on my '67 A-body. The inner fender has the headlight relays.

With the squaretop radiator I had been using a 32 oz rectangular Nalgene bottle with a home made bracket. But the new roundtop radiator had to be placed with its support 3/8" over. This is only because my trans cooler is attached to the other radiator bracket.

I bought the Dorman 603-325 but it only holds 28 oz. I'll use it, but would prefer at least a quart. The one Andy said he used in the same location may have more capacity. I'm looking to see how narrow it is.

With a recovery tank less than a quart, I don't want to take a chance dumping too much by filling the radiator to the top. I'll let the rad come to its normal level and use the overflow more like a catch can. I'm using conventional (inorganic inhibitor) coolant so having some air in the top won't be a problem on that front. I'm just looking to do a little better.




Description: Square top with Nalene expansion tank
Attached picture MVC-509E.JPG

Description: Mounting bracket
Attached picture squaretop-2017-July-img97.JPG

Description: '68 Round top with '70 bottom tank
Attached picture Glenray68-70b-069.JPG
Posted By: AndyF

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/20/17 06:47 PM

Originally Posted By Mattax
Originally Posted By AndyF
That Dorman one looks good. I used one from a Toyota 4Runner. The 4Runner unit is a simple rectangular design that fits really well next to the radiator. It has a tube that goes down below water level so the overflow is pulled back into the radiator as the water cools down.


Old thread revival:
Andy - Do you have any pictures showing the 4runner overflow in your car?
Looking to get an idea of how deep it is. Dorman only lists w & h for their repop. Plus my experience is that their dimensions can not be relied on as sometimes they are package dimensions rather than product.


Here is a picture of the 4Runner setup on my Coronet. It fit really nice in the space I have but mounting it was a bit of a trick. Dorman sells a replacement bottle for this application or you can hit the wrecking yards. You can also buy them new from the Toy dealer but they are super expensive.

Attached picture DSC_1141 (Large).JPG
Posted By: Mattax

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/20/17 11:57 PM

Thanks Andy.
I don't think there is an easy mounting solution for those of us retrofitting.. that doesn't bother me.
- Matt
Posted By: Mattax

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/26/17 01:12 AM

Here's the Dorman 603325 installed.
Had to make my own mounting. Tried to stiffen the bracket up but the bottle still moved a little because of the way it attaches. Any movement is too much for what I'm doing. Fixed that with a tie-wrap at the top.

Attached picture Overflow-603325-img28r.jpg
Attached picture Overflow-603325-img33.JPG
Posted By: moparts

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 08/26/17 02:35 AM

A cheap bottle that works is from a Jeep CJ7

Crown Automotive 5362920K Coolant Bottle Kit
Posted By: AndyF

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/30/17 06:40 PM

I ended up needing to make a small strap from stainless to hold the tank in place. Here is the finished project.

Attached picture DSC_1318 (Large).JPG
Posted By: cbusters

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 09/30/17 07:04 PM

I went to a mobile home supply dealer and bought 1 1/2" black plastic pipe and two black caps. Put a petcock on the bottom cap and a nipple offset on the top one. Clamped it to the side of the radiator and spliced into the factory overflow tube. Nobody has ever noticed and I don't have drips blowing back under the car when I drive. No new holes added either.
Posted By: parksr5

Re: Radiator Overflow Bottle options? - 10/01/17 01:57 AM

When my Dad bought the 69 Road Runner that I now own, someone had installed a bicycle water bottle on the radiator support of the car and to this day, that is what I use. I really like it. At any time, I can take the tube out of the top of the bottle, slide it off the support and pour coolant out if needed.

Whoever did it simply cut off the nipple that you drink from and installed the overflow tube in the hole. It fits tightly; you'd almost think it was made especially for this reason.
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