Coolant overflow tank questions
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
Coolant overflow tank questions
Quick background;
Bought a 1976 corvette this summer. A lot of small things wrong with it. Me and dad replaced the water pump, replaced the dry rotted rubber fuel lines, etc.
My question is in regards to the coolant reserve tank. The rubber hose running from the tank to the top of the radiator is there but the second valve on the tank doesn’t have a hose. From what I have gathered, there should be an overflow hose there. I can’t find anything on it. Coolant occasionally splashes out of that open valve on the reserve tank.
Where does that hose go, how long does the hose need to be, what size is the hose, where does that hose connect, and why wasn’t the hose on the car when I bought the thing?
Bought a 1976 corvette this summer. A lot of small things wrong with it. Me and dad replaced the water pump, replaced the dry rotted rubber fuel lines, etc.
My question is in regards to the coolant reserve tank. The rubber hose running from the tank to the top of the radiator is there but the second valve on the tank doesn’t have a hose. From what I have gathered, there should be an overflow hose there. I can’t find anything on it. Coolant occasionally splashes out of that open valve on the reserve tank.
Where does that hose go, how long does the hose need to be, what size is the hose, where does that hose connect, and why wasn’t the hose on the car when I bought the thing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
If you take note of forum members engine bays, notice that the second nipple on the rez cap is almost always empty. They dry up, crack, fall off.
I installed a short section of clear hose on that fitting and curved it downward and forward to the ground. I figure if the tank ever got hot enough to blow out that nipple, that it should spew on the ground, not in the engine bay. Using clear hose I can see what's going on: nothing
I installed a short section of clear hose on that fitting and curved it downward and forward to the ground. I figure if the tank ever got hot enough to blow out that nipple, that it should spew on the ground, not in the engine bay. Using clear hose I can see what's going on: nothing
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Dec 24, 2018 at 07:31 PM.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
If you take note of forum members engine bays, notice that the second nipple on the rez cap is almost always empty. They dry up, crack, fall off.
I installed a short section of clear hose on that fitting and curved it downward and forward to the ground. I figure if the tank ever got hot enough to blow out that nipple, that it should spew on the ground, not in the engine bay. Using clear hose I can see what's going on: nothing
I installed a short section of clear hose on that fitting and curved it downward and forward to the ground. I figure if the tank ever got hot enough to blow out that nipple, that it should spew on the ground, not in the engine bay. Using clear hose I can see what's going on: nothing
I replaced the water pump and flushed the coolant recently. Also hard for me to tell if the engine is running hot because none of the gauges are functioning.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
It would be a good idea to get your temperature and oil pressure gauges working. If the temp goes way up or the oil pressure goes way down, you will destroy your engine if you keep running it because your gauges don't work.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
If you can't fix the gauges soon, then at least purchase one of the radiator caps with the temp gauge built into the cap.
I think Summit Racing carries them.
A couple of things to check:
1. Make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly,
2. Check radiator temp with a thermometer or using the cap mentioned above,
3. Check coolant level,
4. Make sure the spring is in the lower radiator hose to keep the hose from collapsing.
My 73 has the hose attached to the overflow tank and it runs to the ground.
I think Summit Racing carries them.
A couple of things to check:
1. Make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly,
2. Check radiator temp with a thermometer or using the cap mentioned above,
3. Check coolant level,
4. Make sure the spring is in the lower radiator hose to keep the hose from collapsing.
My 73 has the hose attached to the overflow tank and it runs to the ground.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
If you can't fix the gauges soon, then at least purchase one of the radiator caps with the temp gauge built into the cap.
I think Summit Racing carries them.
A couple of things to check:
1. Make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly,
2. Check radiator temp with a thermometer or using the cap mentioned above,
3. Check coolant level,
4. Make sure the spring is in the lower radiator hose to keep the hose from collapsing.
My 73 has the hose attached to the overflow tank and it runs to the ground.
I think Summit Racing carries them.
A couple of things to check:
1. Make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly,
2. Check radiator temp with a thermometer or using the cap mentioned above,
3. Check coolant level,
4. Make sure the spring is in the lower radiator hose to keep the hose from collapsing.
My 73 has the hose attached to the overflow tank and it runs to the ground.
I have a friend who is a prominent member on this site and good mechanic. I’m holding tight until I can get it to him for repair.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
If you take note of forum members engine bays, notice that the second nipple on the rez cap is almost always empty. They dry up, crack, fall off.
I installed a short section of clear hose on that fitting and curved it downward and forward to the ground. I figure if the tank ever got hot enough to blow out that nipple, that it should spew on the ground, not in the engine bay. Using clear hose I can see what's going on: nothing
I installed a short section of clear hose on that fitting and curved it downward and forward to the ground. I figure if the tank ever got hot enough to blow out that nipple, that it should spew on the ground, not in the engine bay. Using clear hose I can see what's going on: nothing
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
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