Expansion Tank? Overflow? questions about 1969 set ups
10-27-2011, 02:06 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Expansion Tank? Overflow? questions about 1969 set ups
I am setting up my 1969 Corvette, small block, manual, non ac car and I have a radiator on the way from forum member 69Restomod. My car is an original 350 350 hp car, I am not looking to make it original, just a nice driver.
It does not have a radiator cap, so I know I will need an expansion tank of sorts. The car does seem to have a good size overflow of some sort behind the rear of the driver side wheel, inside the fender, it looks to be original, it also seems to be aluminum...it is definitely metal that is for sure.
Did these care both have an expansion tank and an overflow?
Any pics and information would be very helpful, I have already sorted out my anternator brackets and power steering, fan etc. Corvettes are new to me as my dad and I are heavy into early Camaros so there has been some learning curve here.
I know this sounds silly, but without an expansion tank with a cap, how will I get coolant and water in?
Regards, Tim
It does not have a radiator cap, so I know I will need an expansion tank of sorts. The car does seem to have a good size overflow of some sort behind the rear of the driver side wheel, inside the fender, it looks to be original, it also seems to be aluminum...it is definitely metal that is for sure.
Did these care both have an expansion tank and an overflow?
Any pics and information would be very helpful, I have already sorted out my anternator brackets and power steering, fan etc. Corvettes are new to me as my dad and I are heavy into early Camaros so there has been some learning curve here.
I know this sounds silly, but without an expansion tank with a cap, how will I get coolant and water in?
Regards, Tim
Last edited by BOSTONCAMARO; 10-27-2011 at 02:33 PM.
10-27-2011, 02:16 PM
#2
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Aluminum radiators without filler caps used the expansion tank mounted on the right side fender skirt under the hood.
Copper & brass radiators with a filler cap did not use expansion tanks.
There was no expansion tank behind the rear wheels. The fuel tank is in the rear. Post a pic of what you have found.
The 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) shows the installation of the factory expansion tank, the mounting bracket, and the original GM part numbers for each.
Copper & brass radiators with a filler cap did not use expansion tanks.
There was no expansion tank behind the rear wheels. The fuel tank is in the rear. Post a pic of what you have found.
The 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) shows the installation of the factory expansion tank, the mounting bracket, and the original GM part numbers for each.
10-27-2011, 02:17 PM
#3
No Corvette prior to 1973 had an overflow (coolant recovery) tank. None.
Cars without a integral expansion tanks and rad cap had an external tank with cap, attached to the passenger side inner fender.
No Corvette had two rad caps.
Cars without a integral expansion tanks and rad cap had an external tank with cap, attached to the passenger side inner fender.
No Corvette had two rad caps.
10-27-2011, 02:30 PM
#4
Safety Car
" external tank with cap" so where does the overflow hose go ?
when the expansion tank/cap overpressurizes ? (Hose routing )
when the expansion tank/cap overpressurizes ? (Hose routing )
10-27-2011, 02:32 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I will look inside, the drivers fender tonight and get pics etc of whatever this tank is, it is definitely metal. Maybe is washer fluid? doesnt seem to have easy access and also the car is low mileage, never raced or anything...hmmm
The radiator I have on the way from 69Restomod is a manual, non cap radiator, so I am thinking I will need an expansion tank for the passenger side fender.
Easymike I edited my post, just saw how it read...this tank I speak of is directly behind the drivers front wheelhouse on the inside of the engine bay, basically upwards of the gills....
One more question, being that my car is indeed an original 350hp 350ci inch motor car with Muncie, it definitely would have come with an aluminum radiator and had this expansion tank inside the right fender...?
The radiator I have on the way from 69Restomod is a manual, non cap radiator, so I am thinking I will need an expansion tank for the passenger side fender.
Easymike I edited my post, just saw how it read...this tank I speak of is directly behind the drivers front wheelhouse on the inside of the engine bay, basically upwards of the gills....
One more question, being that my car is indeed an original 350hp 350ci inch motor car with Muncie, it definitely would have come with an aluminum radiator and had this expansion tank inside the right fender...?
Last edited by BOSTONCAMARO; 10-27-2011 at 02:42 PM.
10-27-2011, 03:22 PM
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Vacuum reservoir is a large metal tank on the rear of the left fender skirt.
My advice would be to purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and follow the factory installation of the radiator, expansion tank, shroud, etc.
AIMs are worth the cost of a copy.
Tank and bracket are the correct style.
My advice would be to purchase the 69 assembly instruction manual (AIM) and follow the factory installation of the radiator, expansion tank, shroud, etc.
AIMs are worth the cost of a copy.
Tank and bracket are the correct style.
10-27-2011, 03:47 PM
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10-27-2011, 04:01 PM
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10-27-2011, 04:04 PM
#12
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10-27-2011, 05:25 PM
#13
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Hi 69V,
The aluminium tank has a small nipple right under the cap (before the tank) that has a small rubber hose, (no clamp), attached to it.
The hose is about 24" long, and hangs down unsupported. It exits under the car between the fender apron and the small metal splash pan.
Regards,
Alan
The hose is in front of the hose coming from the radiator.
The aluminium tank has a small nipple right under the cap (before the tank) that has a small rubber hose, (no clamp), attached to it.
The hose is about 24" long, and hangs down unsupported. It exits under the car between the fender apron and the small metal splash pan.
Regards,
Alan
The hose is in front of the hose coming from the radiator.
10-28-2011, 11:45 AM
#15
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I have everything on the way now, thanks for all the help! I was able to get the radiator and shroud from two different forum members and was able to source the expansion tank locally.
10-28-2011, 06:18 PM
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Hi 69,
You're Welcome!.... but I would certainly encourage you to buy the 69CSM and the 69 AIM. They both pay for themselves the first time you work on your car.
Regards,
Alan
You're Welcome!.... but I would certainly encourage you to buy the 69CSM and the 69 AIM. They both pay for themselves the first time you work on your car.
Regards,
Alan
10-29-2011, 12:49 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
I am setting up my 1969 Corvette, small block, manual, non ac car and I have a radiator on the way from forum member 69Restomod. My car is an original 350 350 hp car, I am not looking to make it original, just a nice driver.
It does not have a radiator cap, so I know I will need an expansion tank of sorts. The car does seem to have a good size overflow of some sort behind the rear of the driver side wheel, inside the fender, it looks to be original, it also seems to be aluminum...it is definitely metal that is for sure.
Regards, Tim
It does not have a radiator cap, so I know I will need an expansion tank of sorts. The car does seem to have a good size overflow of some sort behind the rear of the driver side wheel, inside the fender, it looks to be original, it also seems to be aluminum...it is definitely metal that is for sure.
Regards, Tim
I will look inside, the drivers fender tonight and get pics etc of whatever this tank is, it is definitely metal. Maybe is washer fluid? doesnt seem to have easy access and also the car is low mileage, never raced or anything...hmmm
The radiator I have on the way from 69Restomod is a manual, non cap radiator, so I am thinking I will need an expansion tank for the passenger side fender.
Easymike I edited my post, just saw how it read...this tank I speak of is directly behind the drivers front wheelhouse on the inside of the engine bay, basically upwards of the gills....
The radiator I have on the way from 69Restomod is a manual, non cap radiator, so I am thinking I will need an expansion tank for the passenger side fender.
Easymike I edited my post, just saw how it read...this tank I speak of is directly behind the drivers front wheelhouse on the inside of the engine bay, basically upwards of the gills....
Bet this is what you are looking at inside the drivers inner fender by the master cylinder:
