I purchased a Coolant Recovery Bottle on Ebay which is the perfect size to sit next to the rad without looking out of place.It works fine as far as coolant out and it draws coolant back in as it cools but not as much as it should.Seems to me that when I added a bottle years ago the kit came with an extra seal to be used on the existing Rad Cap.I don't even see listings on Ebay for Caps for vehicles with coolant recovery containers.Thats probably what I need to change or ad a seal to the existing Rad Cap.Anyone else added a overflow bottle and what did you do with the existing Rad Cap if anything?



  

I have coolant recovery tanks (the round metal ones which really look good) on two cars and neither came with a special cap or a seal. Both work very well.

What do you mean it does not draw back as much as it should? There are residual amounts in both of my set ups and the water level always seems the same to me when I check it. Is the residual amount in yours always the same? If so, it must be drawing back ok. Is it because the level in the radiator is down some? Is the level in the radiator always at the same place? Radiators should not be filled up to the top.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Thanks Paul.Maybe its just finding the level thats correct for the radiator.Its does fill and than empty as the system cools.

  

Mark........You must use a cap that has a double seal,as is used on later models.Any parts store will have the one you need.I got mine from NAPA.You should always keep the radiator full to the top to keep air out of the system.That's the reason for the in and out action of the overflow bottle.No air in the system equals no rust.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

What year did you buy one for? 13lb?

  

I use a 7 pound cap,Mark.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

The radiator cap for a coolant recovery system is specific to that system in that the cap has a double seal built into it. Most auto manufacturers have used these systems for the last forty years making replacement caps readily available at the parts stores. The cap for the recovery jug or bottle is also specific in that the radiator side of the cap has a tube going to the bottom of the container. It’s this tube that allows coolant to be ‘sucked’ back up into the radiator as the radiator itself cools. I use the 7 lb. cap with the coolant recovery system in my '55 Ford Customline.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Thanks Ted! What application would you use to buy a 7lb cap with the double seal?As usual the question will be "Whats it fit ?" when you go to the parts store to buy one.Most manufacturers went to 13lb caps about the same time they started with the coolant recovery containers which is why I am wondering what application would use a suitable 7lb cap?I know some of the ad-on recovery kits supplied an extra seal to use with the existing cap.

  

Paul and Ted, Good info on the cap. I have a coolant recovery system with 7 lb. cap but not sure if it's double seal type. Don't remember seeing mention of type of cap in the 'instructions'. Can I tell by looking at the cap?

Mark, I wouldn't recommend using a 13 lb. cap on our old radiators (age and/or design).

"The Master Cylinder"

Enjoying life at the beach in SOCAL

Do you really need that bottle? I don't know about the cars, but on the trucks, expansion is built into the radiator. I do have a bottle but only because it is required to race. Otherwise, I wouldn't have it. Every time I've checked, the coolant level in it hasn't changed.


Lawrenceville, GA