73 Antifreeze / Cooling System Questions...
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Christiansburg VA
73 Antifreeze / Cooling System Questions...
As of this past Sunday, I am a proud owner of a 73 coupe. All original, 54K miles. I am pretty much a noob to all of this, so I am VERY grateful to find these forums.
When I got the car the antifreeze reservoir was bone dry (and still is, I haven't had a chance to drive much - yet!) and looks as though it hasn't been used in a long time. Anyway... the cap has two hose connectors on the top. One that has a hose that leads to the radiator (makes sense) and the other looks as though it had a hose on it at one time, but now does not.
My questions:
Is it possible that the former owner ran the car without using the reservoir? Is that advised? (I assume not!)
Is the second hose connector on the reservoir cap the over-flow? If so, do I run a chance of spraying the engine with anti-freeze? Or - should there be a hose on this that leads somewhere else?
Thanks so much! I look forward to learning a lot here!
[Modified by JedTheHead, 9:51 PM 6/30/2004]
When I got the car the antifreeze reservoir was bone dry (and still is, I haven't had a chance to drive much - yet!) and looks as though it hasn't been used in a long time. Anyway... the cap has two hose connectors on the top. One that has a hose that leads to the radiator (makes sense) and the other looks as though it had a hose on it at one time, but now does not.
My questions:
Is it possible that the former owner ran the car without using the reservoir? Is that advised? (I assume not!)
Is the second hose connector on the reservoir cap the over-flow? If so, do I run a chance of spraying the engine with anti-freeze? Or - should there be a hose on this that leads somewhere else?
Thanks so much! I look forward to learning a lot here!
[Modified by JedTheHead, 9:51 PM 6/30/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 22
From: Marietta Ga.
Re: 73 Antifreeze / Cooling System Questions... (JedTheHead)
I have a '72 that doesn't use the reservoir, however, I would guess that you are on the right track. The hose from the radiator would have to by pass the reservoir if the former onwer wasn't using it. The over flow should be routed down behind the front wheel or somewhere similar. Check the level in the radiator itself. The best thing to do first is get an assembly manual for your year and then start spending the $$$$$$$$$$$.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Re: 73 Antifreeze / Cooling System Questions... (72GACRZR)
Yup - I bet you're running hot, and probably have air in your cooling system.
The other hole on the overflow tank is for a hose to point down to the ground in case the overflow overflows.
Welcome to the forum. There's lots of nice folks here.
The other hole on the overflow tank is for a hose to point down to the ground in case the overflow overflows.
Welcome to the forum. There's lots of nice folks here.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 73 Antifreeze / Cooling System Questions... (JedTheHead)
If I remeber right the cap shuold have a small hose that runs to the bottom of the reserve, fill the system and reserve with water and it should self burp the closed part of the system. Might fill the reserve with water and see if it leaks first. I ended up getting a latter year reserve for my 73 that does not have the cap with the hose inside the tank.
Welcome aboard!
Welcome aboard!
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Christiansburg VA
Re: 73 Antifreeze / Cooling System Questions... (JedTheHead)
Thanks everyone for the quick responses! I will get a replacement hose, fix the over flow, check the cooling system for leaks, and drive happy this weekend!
