Radiator overflow tanks

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2012: Radiator overflow tanks
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M Philpott on Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 08:43 pm:

In the process of working on the new addition to our family, our "17 T". I've noticed that most of the dealers have an overflow bottle for the radiators. Do they work, or do they help?
thanks, Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 09:35 pm:

Should work, as long as theres no air leaking in around the radiator cap and the overflow pipe is below the surface of the coolant in the overflow tank.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M Philpott on Sunday, June 17, 2012 - 11:24 pm:

So the system is the same as a newer radiator system then?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Monday, June 18, 2012 - 06:20 am:

No, the Model T radiator can't take pressure like the moderns. This works by a slight vacuum in the air above the coolant in the top tank when it cools down that hopefully sucks the overflowing fluid back again, Should work if the overflow pipe/hose goes to the bottom of the overflow bottle, the rad cap has a good seal anf the overflow bottle cap is vented.

Is it needed? Depends, might save some glycole stains on the driveway?

It has been discussed in this thread: http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/179374/210052.html?1304795825


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Monday, June 18, 2012 - 06:31 am:

No. The Model T cooling system is not pressurized, nor should it be. You'll also notice that the overflow tube on a modern car is in the filler neck right below the cap at the highest point in the system. That doesn't mean you couldn't put an overflow tank on a T but it's going to be below the cooling system unless you modify the overflow tube and as others have said, the cooling system would have to be sealed. Pressurizing the cooling system in modern cars allows them to run at temperatures above 220 degrees, something the Model T was never meant to do without boiling over. Aside from maybe saving antifreeze, there's no point in it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce in Dallas TX on Monday, June 18, 2012 - 06:36 am:

Most of the dealers....well actually all of them sell many items in their catalogs that do nothing other than cost money and will not improve your Model T in any way. This is one of them.

The idea is that people who have never owned a Model T are not bright enough to learn how to operate their new toy. So, the inventor of this radiator overflow tank has a customer base to work with.

You need to keep the coolant level in your 1917 Model T radiator about 3 inches below the bottom of the radiator cap. The water / anti freeze mixture must have room to expand when the engine is warm. If you do this the radiator will cool the car adequately, and you won't have any overflow on the driveway.

If the radiator is in good condition you should need to add coolant perhaps once a year to compensate for evaporation. You should check tire pressure, coolant level, oil level and fuel level before every drive.

It is good to ask questions prior to buying unnecessary items. Welcome to the Model T hobby!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M Philpott on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 12:46 pm:

Guys, thanks for the help. I've been trying to come back and post this but the site wasn't going to have it. I knew the system wasn't pressurized but I wondered about the system as to the main vendors sell them so what they really are selling is nothing at a big price then.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Halpin on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 04:54 pm:

When you've been posting here for a while, you'll notice that some of the guys post pictures of the thousands of 'gadgets' that were made for the Model T over the years. Some of them are handy, like outside mirrors. Some of them are just good safety, like bronze thrust washers for the rear end but most of them are just that 'gadgets'. Simple rule of thumb, if Henry didn't put it there in the first place, a Model T doesn't need it. :-)
That's a mighty fine Panel Truck, by the way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By M Philpott on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 05:54 pm:

thanks Dennis, right now it still is in a process of change. I have done a lot of woodworking and it will be enclosed with knotty alder stained and the back will be enclosed. After looking at all the pictures of old T's with advertisement on the sides, and I collect Winchester's and carve wood so it will have their horse and rider on the side and "Winchester" also, alone with a color change.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert E. (Bob) Blackbourn, Gautier Ms. on Thursday, June 21, 2012 - 07:56 pm:

After rebuilding my engine I ran it long enough to make sure there were no water leaks, then drained the system after it had cooled down. Next I put in one gallon of antifreeze, topped it off with water and drove the car till it was hot and the excess coolant had been expelled through the overflow. When it had cooled down again I drained about one pint out. I have driven about 400 miles since then and it has never overheated or overflowed.

Regards,
Bob


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