pinmar9193

I have a 1972 coupe with a 350ci automatic transmission with A/C that is stock. After I purchased the car I noticed that the hose that goes from the radiator was hanging loose and dripping coolant on my garage floor.
I also noticed that the expansion tank was missing. I know these cars didn't have recovery tanks.
My question: Did the 1972 model with A/C with the 350 small block come with the expansion tank?

69FASTFUN

They did not come with expansion tanks I also have a 72 wit A/C

pinmar9193

Thank you for the reply. Where does the overflow from the radiator go then? The hose from the radiator just hangs there and drips coolant on the floor. This can't be right. When I go to Corvette America or Ecklers they all sell the expansion tank for the 72 coupe. My 1972 corvette assembly manual also shows diagrams with the expansion tank. I'm confused.

Easy Mike

But not for factory air or AT cars. Flip to the C60 options section (AC) and it will show a different radiator than the base engine cars, and no expansion tank.

MelWff

the hose is in the correct position
when the engine is completely cold have you looked at the coolant level in the radiator and is it about 2" below the radiator neck?
if the coolant level is at the correct level when cold you may have a bad radiator cap assuming the engine temperature is never higher than about 215

pinmar9193

I have checked the C60 options and you are right. There is no expansion tank shown. Thanks for the clarification.

Bills17n72

pinmar9193 I also had the same issue on my 72 ,and the raditor cap was bad ,make sure you put the right pressure cap back on!

shaark92

this is related to my 1971 ...

I've been having the same issue ... with coolant being dumped on the garage floor after it sits. I even had installed a 160 degree thermostat ... changed the radiator cap (even tested the new one at a shop) ... all good.

After my vintage air install today (factory AC equipped FWIW) ... washed, covered, in on its new concrete floor in my "to be" shop (roof/two walls) ...

So, I'm considering the addition of a recovery tank and radiator cap for that. Not sure why that would hurt anything.

Has anyone installed a recovery tank on the older C3s ... (pre 72?) If so, what kit did you buy? With the vintage air system, I now have plenty of room on the firewall, but I don't know if that's too far from the radiator for the recovery part of the function.

Thanks

shaark92

as an update ... I bought a cheapo plastic tank kit at Autozone today .. changed the radiator cap to one designed for a recovery system. It started raining ... so she didn't leave the covered parking. However, I couldn't get the engine to fully open the thermostat. Laser thermometer confirmed. Highest reading I could get on the thermostat housing (even after fast idle and new air cond on for 20 minutes) ... 150 degrees.

Hopefully tomorrow I can take her out on the road and get her warmed up ... then observe the recovery tank operation.

If this works, I'll get a nicer recovery tank. Not OEM ... but this is a dependability issue.

OldCarBum

My 73 BB auto with a/c has the OEM recovery system.
You could probably pick up a 73 recovery system and bolt it right into place.
Add a 73 radiator cap and it would look and work like OEM.

mrvette

I pretty sure I still have the recovery tank that fits under pass/RT side fender...factory style....came off my '72 my car is totally modified and I don't bother with it any more.....so it's for sale, anyone interested....

PM me.....

GENE

shaark92

I've had my little autozone kit installed now for a full tank of fuel (whopping 250 miles! LOL) ... no problems noted. So I'll be getting a better setup for the recovery system. Good to know about the 73's ... thanks @OldCarBum