This is topic Overflow Tank Question? in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=017593
Posted by 93nIFtYgT (Member # 7804) on
:
I had a question about an aftermarket overflow tank. I am getting ready to instal an aluminum radiator and electric fans on my 93 gt. I wanted to do away with that big ugly plastic overflow tank so i ordered what i thought would be somewhat of a replacement part from summit. After receiving it i am realizing that it is more of like a catch can for the drag strip and it is only 16oz (little bit bigger than a soda can). I am going to return it and buy a 32oz instead. I am wondering if it is practical and if it can be used as an overflow tank. OR would i need something with more capacity. Any info would help. Thanks guys.
Posted by 5.0XR4 (Member # 8229) on
:
Sorry, I'm not that familiar with those plastic tanks, but the answers are still the same.
Remember, 16oz. is a full QUART, and that's a lot of fluid. But if you're worried about serious overheating on a track, I'd say go with the 32oz just to have a margin of safety...
You can still figure out if the 16oz. is enough for 99% of the driving/racing you'll be doing. Is that stock plastic tank a reservoir with a "radiator" cap on it, or just an actual overflow tank to catch overheated coolant?
What's the capacity of the tank? Just use a measuring cup and find out how much it takes to fill it. Whatever you calculate, that's what Ford calculated for 99% of all situations in normal driving. If that's more than 16oz, then switch to the 32 oz.
Nothing pisses others off at a track like boiling out coolant/water and having to wait for cleanup when a larger tank could have prevented it. On the other hand, you're talking some serious overheating to need to catch 1/2 gal. (32oz.) of coolant.
Now, if your ugly, plastic stock tank is a reservoir, its easy to calculate how much capacity you NEED (16 vs. 32oz) for normal circumstances...
Mark the low, COLD level of coolant in the tank with tape or a marker. Then run your car until its hotter than normal temp, and mark the new HOT level.
Let it cool down so the level drops the original mark. Then, using a 2-cup measuring cup, start with a full 2 cups of water (or 50/50 mix), and find out how much it takes to bring the cold level up to the hot level.
The measuring cup should be marked in liquid (H20) OZ., too, so then you'll have your hot capacity. Once you record that amount, continue adding controlled amounts of fluid until you reach the top of the tank (i.e., the cap). The additional amount of fluid you put in is your RESERVE for overheating.
If that total is 16oz. or less (HOT + RESERVE), then you can get away with what you bought. But, that still won't give you much of an overheat capacity.
Now, just siphon, or turkey-baster suck out that extra coolant to put it back to stock level. Make damn sure you clean everything you used thoroughly (cup, baster) if you added 50/50 mix.
If you don't want to go with the 32 oz., or you think after calculating your existing capacity that 32 isn't enough, you could combine your ugly plastic tank with your new 16oz. tank, and probably get more than 32oz.
Just drill & tap high onto the rim of the thread portion (where the cap screws in) and run yourself a line to your new 16oz. reserve.
You can leave it like that, but it might screw with your pressurization. So, find yourself another Ford radiator cap meant for a real overflow tank (e.g., Merkur, Focus, Contour). That type will have a long spring and sealing arm, so that when you screw it on it will cover up your new outlet tube. You won't have any overflow until the pressure/temp gets too high for the release device in the cap.
Yeah, I know that means you still have the ugly stock tank, but do you want pretty, or effective?
Posted by 93nIFtYgT (Member # 7804) on
:
Good looking out bro. I think I am gonna try that but I'm thinking that the 32oz should be enough.. But I'm gonna try that when I go to install it. Thanks
Posted by 5.0XR4 (Member # 8229) on
:
No problem. Good luck!
Fueled by Ford Mustang Owners
on CaliforniaFords.com