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tahoe healey

tahoe healey

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While at a British car swap meet last weekend I saw 4 old brass radiator over flow tanks. I have never seen them before but they got me thinking about loosing fluid in hot weather. They were in nice shape. Will they work on the big Healeys? Is there room? Has anyone used them? Are they usefull?
 
I don't know what a brass overflow tank looks like. Most cars have had coolant recovery tanks for years. They can be fitted to Healeys with some advantage. Make sure that the cap is compatible with this type of system. What ever will fit into the space available, & feed from the bottom of the tank.
D
 
TH, you have limited space to fit an overflow bottle. Mine is located on the RH side of the engine compartment just in front of the Generator. There is that space in the scuttle brace to use too, that box like structure just above the brake booster, but I do not like all that comlexity and how are you going to fill it?. If the ones you saw were small like the one Greg showed they will fit and are most useful, you do not want to be loosing coolent in the six clyn cars and if standard the only way to stop them is with a CRS.At Indio my max running temp waiting at the signals was 180 Deg. Running 170 and at speed on the freeway 165.Larger Radiator,Six bladed fan, sped up water pump and 10Lb pressurised CRS---- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Hello,
I think we all met at open roads Tahoe a few years ago.
For that trip from San Diego, I fitted an overflow tank from a later model MGB.
On the BN1, I fitted it on the vertical brace near the dynamo.
I had a new radiator too, and the whole system worked very well. I was concerned about engine heat, so I ran mostly water (not much anti-freeze) with some 'water wetter'
 
To properly recover the water after the tank is installed, you need the proper radiator cap. I don't think there is a proper cap that fits a stock Healey long neck radiator. I have heard reports that water will get sucked back into the radiator with a stock cap, but I doubt it.
It is possible to change the neck to a modern short neck and fit a modern cap. I have never seen the need, personally.
 
My BJ7 had an overflow reservoir fitted by the P.O. I checked it many times and it never had any water in .. probably didn't have the right type of cap. I would keep the water level about an inch down from the top and it stayed there. If you fill to the top the radiator will overflow until it reaches the "inch down" level. That's been my experience anyway.

Cheers,
John
 
HI HH, You are correct regarding the radsiator cap. However, most stockists have the proper type for the Healey---Keoke
 
HI John. Probably because you did not fill the radiator all the way up kept the CRS bottle empty.I prefer the plastic bottle type since I can see the coolent level hot and cold which eye calibrates the cooling system's function. There is an additional benefit for a properly designed bottle both the inlet and overflow/vent are located at the top.Consequently all the loose dirt in the cooling system gets deposited in the bottle.Further I can see when it needs to be cleaned out and determine that it is actually clean.---FWIW--Keoke
 
Hi Geo, Bottles are from circa 1960/70 cars caps say Made in england "AC"Look like the car came that way.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif---If hose goes to the bottom will suck up dirt. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif--Glad someone sells it for less bottle and clamp alone about $40.00 the little grommet is used to keep the hose off the bottom its ok. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif--Keoke--Actually a stroll through the market or a Pharmacy should provide one with the inexpensive parts to make one like the TR item. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
My BJ7 had an overflow reservoir fitted by the P.O. I checked it many times and it never had any water in .. probably didn't have the right type of cap. I would keep the water level about an inch down from the top and it stayed there. If you fill to the top the radiator will overflow until it reaches the "inch down" level. That's been my experience anyway.
Cheers,
John

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi John,
An overflow catch tank is not the same as a coolant recovery tank. As the water expands due to heat, it opens the pressure cap release valve, & flows into the catch tank. This coolant is not returned to the engine.

The CR tank siphons the water BACK into the radiator anytime the engine cools a bit, keeps the radiator always brim full. This requires a separate one way valve in the cap to let coolant or air in but not out. This one way in valve is found on most caps. It prevents the radiator & hoses from collapsing from vacuum as the engine cools. The regular 7 pound blow off valve works as normal to let excess coolant into the CR tank as things heat up. The NAPA # 703-1411 cap has these two valves, a good top seal, & fits the long neck Healey radiators. It takes a good top cap seal & having the CR in - out located below the coolant level in the CR tank. The average Healey will transfer about a quart of coolant back & forth. If there are any suction leaks between the radiator itself & the CR tank in/out, air instead of coolant will be drawn back into the radiator.

The advantage to the CR tank is that the system is always completely full, no air in the coolant, & no oxidation in the cooling system. A secondary, or primary advantage if you are environmentally inclined, is keeping the cooling systems from burping antifreeze on the ground, parking, or wherever.
D
 
Dave,
I've been thinking about a CR tank for my car...
been following this thread...
I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
Wadda ya think?
Mike
 
Hi Mike,
The advantages would be;
1- less air mixing with the coolant, which helps cooling & minimizes rusting of the engine water jackets
2- About a quart more coolant capacity
3- No mess dripping out when you stop
4- You can check coolant level at any time without removing the radiator cap

Disadvantges;
1- Doesn't look original
2- One more gadget to give trouble
3- A little hard to find space for

You can be the judge.
D
 
What hight or level does the tank need to sit in relation to the radiator cap? Can it be place in the area in front of the radiator to one side behind the grill?
 
Top of tank approximately the same as the top of the radiator. If it is setup as a coolant recovery system, Level checking & coolant additions should be done from the tank not the radiator cap. Just like your modern cars.

It might be hard to access or could block airflow into the radiator if mounted in front. You should be able to mount it on a bracket somewhere behind the radiator. On a Healey, the tank should be about 1.5 to 2 quart capacity. The cooling system will hold about a quart less when hot, than when cold.
D
 
[ QUOTE ]

Hi John,
An overflow catch tank is not the same as a coolant recovery tank.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Dave,
Yes, it appears the P.O. had installed an OCT instead of a CRT. You make some good points about the advantages of a CRT. For me, it's all going back to it's original state and luckily I live in a climate that is not so hot that extra fan blades and other measures are needed to stay within a good temperature range. If it gets to that point though, I will know where to start!

Cheers,
John
 
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