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been a while since I looked but I believe that nipple is soldered from the inside of the tank neck. if you could find a new nipple just like that you could solder a new one in. or you can call Dewitts and get a new dated one
That looks to have failed from corrosion. If that's accurate, then other parts of the expansion tank could also be corroded to the point of near failure. If that were mine, I'd opt for a new, repro tank instead of trying to patch that one. Make wall art out of that tank.
I used a double ended brass hose barb and cut the end into the tank to the right length. A little JB Weld to hold in place and the repair is invisible once the hose is connected.
I agree with Jim Lockwood, replace it, unless you like wondering if it will fail as you are driving 57 miles away rom home with your wife in the car. Dennis
I agree with Jim Lockwood, replace it, unless you like wondering if it will fail as you are driving 57 miles away rom home with your wife in the car. Dennis
I'm with you guys--I'd just replace the expansion tank. It's not that expensive to buy a new tank nor hard to install it vs. cobbling up a repair job. Edit: removed my 2 tanks of gas cost comparison--I'd still replace it.
When I bought my NOM 65 396 Roadster in 2019, it had a 454 that was installed new in 2011 and maybe had a few thousand miles on it by the time of my purchase.
Since a lot of Corvettes sit for long periods of time, the coolant coagulated as can be seen where the head water passage comes up against the blocked rear intake area.
And while the expansion tank looked almost brand new (65 Bigblocks still used the aluminum expansion tank), check out the corrosion near the seam on the side of the tank.
It got replaced with a new expansion tank.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Dennis
