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radiator expansion/recovery tank

jesusgatos

Active member
2,689
28
38
Location
on the road - in CA right now
I'm planning on using one of these as a remote reservoir for brake fluid, and that got me thinking about adding an expansion/recovery tank to the coolant system. I would like to use another reservoir from Canton, but I'm wondering how big of a reservoir I might need. I guess what I'm asking is, if/when the radiator does boil-over, how much should I expect to lose? Is there any type of standard ratio or formula, like between the amount of fluid in the coolant system and the size of the reservoir? Or is it just a bigger = better kinda thing? Canton makes these in 2 & 4-quart versions, or do I need to be thinking in terms of gallons?
 

JasonS

Well-known member
1,650
144
63
Location
Eastern SD
Walmart sells a decent overflow tank for $11. Has worked fine on my deuce.

There's really no need to do anything fancy for a remote master cylinder fill. Just get a remote reservoir from a late model pickup with manual tranny. I got mine for $5. Make sure you use a tubing compatible with your brake fluid.
 
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topo

Well-known member
912
260
63
Location
farmington NM
I have seen overflow tanks made from old military canteens if the canvas holder is used mounting it is fast just one hole to drill to mount and one hole to drill in the lid for the hose and it looks like it belongs on a military truck .
 

JasonS

Well-known member
1,650
144
63
Location
Eastern SD
How big is that overflow tank that you're using?

I understand that there's no NEED to do any of this stuff, but I kinda like to geek-out on these projects.

It holds a half gallon. The one at Walmart is almost exactly the same as:
Seakamp Engineering - Coolant Overflow Recovery Tank but a lot less $$$.

There are valid reasons for keeping the air out of the cooling system. It also makes it easy to check the coolant level.
 
67
0
6
Location
Landenberg, Pa
I did a overflow tank on my m35a2 last summer. I bought a universal overflow tank from Carquest that holds a half gallon. If I recall correctly it was $17 for everything including bolts and hoses. I drilled two holes under the heater brackets and painted it with a little OD green. Not that it can be seen but it was bothering me just a little bit. It seems to be working great so far since I haven't seen any puddles underneath when stopping even when it is hot out like I was getting before.
 
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