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Installation of Coolant expansion tank kit?

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CharlieCarpenter

CharlieCarpenter

Senior Member
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When I recently installed a coolant expansion tank kit on my Healey the instructions stated that the non-pressurized cap should go on the radiator and the pressurized cap should go on the expansion tank. I was speaking to an old radiator shop owner and he stated that was completely backwards. What do the experts say?
 
Pressurized cap or not, the one fitted to the radiator HAS to be able to suck the coolant back into the radiator as the liquid cools and contracts. Can't do that if the cap seals the neck...

Our late buddy Dave posted which is the correct NAPA sourced cap to use, and I'm here to say that it works. Do a search under his screen name for the part number.
 
Charlie--

Go to:

https://www.capitalhealeys.org/Assets/Miscellaneous/HHR%20pdfs/hhr_April_09.pdf

and turn to pages 24-25 for an article I wrote for the Capital Area Austin-Healey Club's newsletter on how to install a coolant recovery system. The parts shown are what I used on my 100--cheaper parts and other routing can be used.

In any case the valve on the radiator cap must have the ability to draw the coolant back in as the system cools. The Napa cap #703-1411 is specified.
 
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