PewterMetallic98

I am missing the coolant recovery tank on my 81. There is a sort of "nipple" under the radiator cap that needs a hose attached to it to go to the tank but it of course has mysteriously dissappeared. How could I go about bypassing this?

Fevre

I would buy a new tank, you need it to have the system operate properly, without it the rad sucks in air through that nipple (the cap release air/fluid when the pressure builds past the caps rating), with the recover tank the rad sucks in fluid from the tank, this actually works to 'burp' the system.

PewterMetallic98

Can I not plug that hole and bypass everything?

Fevre

Only if you want the rad cap to blow off, you need the tank or your car may run hot/boil over under the right, well in this case wrong, situation like when you are on a back road at night with no one for miles and no cell phone. Tank only cost $20 or $30 and the connecting hose another $2 or $3. I guess if you are a risk taker you don't need it. :)

PewterMetallic98

Well how exactly does the tank bolt on and I see in a picture that there are 2 hoses running off the top of it. Where does the second one go? Could I pick this tank up at Autozone? :confused: Thanks for the help.

Fevre

Tanks are a little diff in design over the years so I can't stat with 100% accuracy the hose routing but from the looks of this diagram below the hose from the rad connects to the cap, that nipple it attaches too has a hose under the cap that, when the cap is one the recovery tank, submerses into the fluid then when the rad cools and sucks through the nipple under the rad cap it draws fluid into the rad. The other hose from the cap is an over flow hose in case you do over heat the fluid has some where to go once the recover tank is full.








[Modified by Fevre, 2:56 PM 8/29/2003]

Fevre

Sorry, ZIP products most have some kinda blocker on their images so the diagram is not showing up. Myabe soneone can post a pic from your year of vette to show what the routing looks like. Worse comes to worse just to have a tank, use a gallon jug with a handle and zip tie the jug where you can run a line into it from the rad nipple, fill the jug up half way. Your cooling system probably has a bunch of air in, does it run hot like 220+ degrees?


[Modified by Fevre, 3:00 PM 8/29/2003]

Paul L

As noted the cap will release pressure into the coolant tank at 14-15psi. If you plug it you are looking for trouble: an over-pressured system. One of the outlets on the tank obviously goes to the rad. The other goes to the pavement in case of an overfill or extreme coolant expansion condition that would bring the fluid to the top of the tank. I have never seen that condition but it is a possibility.

Fevre

Thanks Paul, knew someone would post a pic. :cheers:

PewterMetallic98

Thanks a ton guys, Ill go and try to pick one up asap.

Paul L

I believe they are still available from GM.

Paul L

I no longer own that 1979 as you know. But I have ~1500 pics archived on a CD. Sometimes they are still useful ;) .




[Modified by paul67, 4:32 PM 8/29/2003]

zwede

You can still get them from any chevy dealer for less than $20.

PewterMetallic98

I went and they have to order one so it will be until late next week and I need to find out how the damn thing bolts in there. Hopefully I can just ride around with filling up the radiator a lot. :banghead:

Paul L

My Brother now owns my 1979. We will be working on it tomorrow morning. I can take pics of the mounting config if you wish.

PewterMetallic98

That would be a TON of help! Please do, I would really appreciate it. :yesnod:

Paul L

No problem. Any specific shots you need?

PewterMetallic98

Just the mounting specs, where the bolts go etc. I wont be able to do it until thursday when I get the part but it will really help me out with a visual.

Enad

The tank on my 82 mounts in the engine compartment underneath the right (passenger) side body just behind the wheel well. You can barley see it. Just the cap protrudes and it snakes around under there. It has three 1/4"? bolts that go through wheel well wall from the wheel side and into threads on the tank body. If you have AC it is above your accumulator and is very difficult to get in/out. It has one hose that enters the bottom of the tank from the radiator and a vent/overflow on the top.

Dane :thumbs:

PewterMetallic98

Thanks for the info. I will let you know how it goes when I get it. :cheers: