Coolant Overflow
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Coolant Overflow
What is the correct coolant level for a 1971 350? The side of the expansion tanks reads "Fill 1/2 when cold." Coolant will just overflow through the hose and onto the ground after warmup with the engine off. WHen the car is cold, the tank is empty. What is correct?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Andy...I have a 79 L-82 which should be similar to your engine. My over flow only raises and lowers approximately 2" from hot to cold. How hot dows your engine run? I'm using a 180 degree thermostat.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Car doesnt overheat at all. The temp gauge is right where it is supposed to be. I have a 195 thermostat. Also on a 1979, I think you have an overflow tank, I have an expansion tank which is pressurized.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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No similarity whatsoever. Pre-73 have internal expansion tanks and no coolant recovery tanks. '73 and up are the opposite.
To the OP: Might be that your rad cap is a little weak.
To the OP: Might be that your rad cap is a little weak.
Last edited by Mike Ward; Jul 8, 2009 at 04:37 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
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From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Well maybe I'm wrong, but the catalog show the coolant recovery tank for a late 1977 through 1982 as the same tank. So, my 79 should have the same over flow tank as yours. It has a cap, but is not pressurized at the tank. The coolant flows into the tank as the engine heats expanding the water in the radiator. As it cools there is a vacuum which sucks some of the water back into the radiator.
