I am looking at adding a coolant recovery tank on my 70 Challenger. I have been looking at what is available through Dorman and I found their universal unit (603-001) and I also came across #603-121 (1992-2002 Saturn) pictured. So far I like it better because it looks smaller and I could mount it in front of the radiator support which might hide it a litter better.
http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-44832-603-121.aspx


I am looking for other ideas on what style/part number of unit and where did you mount yours on the older cars.

Thanks

I use one I bought at either Summit or Jegs... Believe it was a "hot rod" universal style that I mounted in front of the radiator, behind the headlights.. using existing holes... there were LOTS of different styles and sizes if I remember, been a while ...

I would have "guessed" that the Challenger recovery tanks were on the passenger side from the factory. Thanks for posting that picture!!

My 70 has the overflow nipple on the passenger side, so I am trying to find something to fit it.

Thanks for the replies.

I found this one too. Dornman 603-424.

I use a 3 inch diameter by 13 long stainless steel tank mounted on backside/driver rad support...shiny..looks great...I hate that crappy plastic stock looking one

Dornman 603-703.

The above 603-703 might be able to mount in between the grill and the radiator supper (opposite to the windshield washer bottle) in the corner. I need to keep the height of the reservoir (middle) at the height of the coolant in the radiator. This means that a flat reservoir may need to be used in this area.

If you don't use the windshield washer, I've seen people use a manual pump reservoir as an overflow tank. The hose goes in the bottom.

I have read about people doing that too but the pop-off cap scares me. I don't use that reservoir and it is setting right where I need the overflow tank too.
I was thinking about converting it or taking it out and mounting a new overflow in its place.

EDIT:
It appears that the wiper reservoir may be sitting too low versus where the top of the coolant is in the radiator.

Thanks for the reply!

I don't think it matters if the overflow tank is lower than the rad. level.

Since the system is essentially a sealed unit, it is going to work properly because the rad. fills and takes back from the bottom of the overflow reservoir.

You do need a cap for that purpose, though.

Joe

I was actually looking at the non-sealed units and I am running into issues with the mounting height.

It appears that I should be looking only at the sealed units with the tube at the bottom and then like you said, I could then mount it where needed. This would help a bunch finding a place to mount the new reservoir.

Thanks for your reply!!!!

Here is a photo of a factory overflow for a '73 (I think) that I put into my '70 Barracuda. These will fit perfectly in your Challenger and were stock for the later E-Bodys.

YearOne makes repros that also look great. The bottle with the top and hoses will run you $60-80 and the bracket that bolts to the radiator and battery tray will cost you between $80-150. I got my bracket on Ebay.

I personally prefer this as it maintains the factory look even though they weren't available on your or my car originally.

I like the 73-74 units but after buying the reservoir and the bracket, the cost would be more than I am willing to pay. Plus the overflow nipple on my current radiator exits out on the passenger side of the radiator. Thanks for the picture.

I am now leaning towards the Dorman 603-121 "pressurized" unit. I should be able to mount it to the front of the radiator support beside where my current overflow hose is routed. This would keep it out of the way and I would not have to remove my existing windshield washer reservoir.

Would I need a specific radiator cap with this pressurized tank or can I keep my existing radiator cap that was used with the overflow hose (stock 16lb unit)?

I used the wiper tank on my hemi cuda and it works great. No one even knows it's being used for the overflow. The trick is you put the overflow hose on the bottom but you MUST drill an air hole in the the back of the wiper tank otherwise it will air lock. I drilled a 1/4 hole in the rear corner where it's under the hood pin mount so you can't tell it's there. No problems in 5 years of use even in 100 degree weather. You only need about 2" of coolant in the tank when cold and mine's about 3/4 full hot. Has never blown top off or overflowed. Good luck. Mike

Mike,
Do you run the stock radiator cap?

Thanks

You need the correct radiator cap that has the little flapper valve on the bottom that will allow coolant to be sucked back into the radiator as it cools down

Yes I have run the stock caps with a over flow tank. All the ones I have had, have poppet to allow flow back into the radiator. I also have ran and currently am running a Delco RC-27 cap which is 15lb cap and has performed fine in Vegas and Reno during 110° weather for like 4 years now.

I found the Stant #10331 Lev-R-Vent 16lb cap and the OE #10231 16lb cap that I have.
Is the Lev-R-Vent the cap that I need to make this swap?

Note: I checked the Stant master catalog and the above are the only two 16lb cap part numbers. There are also two 13lb caps too that match the above descriptions too.

Thanks