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  •  » Coolant recovery questions

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    7/14/2015 10:38 PM  #1

    wemjr
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    Registered: 4/03/2015
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    Coolant recovery questions

    Hey guys!  I have some questions concerning the coolant recovery system on my 1965 Mustang with a 289.  I have a Champion aluminum radiator, Old Air Products fan and shroud, a new thermostat (180 deg) and a new water pump.  The radiator has an 11 lb cap that came with the radiator.  When my car heats up, it pushes water to the coolant recovery tank, but will not suck it back into the radiator.  Is there something that I am missing?  Any help will be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

    Willis

     

    7/14/2015 11:49 PM  #2

    boomyal
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    From: Vancouver, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Check your radiatior cap.  It needs two seals.  One at the top of the radiator rim and one at the bottom of the neck.

     

    7/15/2015 5:43 AM  #3

    wemjr
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Good morning Boomyal and Thanks!  I will check it as soon as I get home this afternoon!

       •Thread Starter
     

    7/15/2015 6:47 AM  #4

    MWM
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    You  may be  better off with a 14 pound radiator cap,  I have one on my stock  stock 289.

     

    7/15/2015 9:30 AM  #5

    terry
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    From: vandalia, illinois
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    The cap has to be specifically for a recovery system. Thus the 2 seals. Stant makes one, mine has a lever on top to relieve pressure.  Sorry dont have part number as i'm a couple thousand miles from home

    Last edited by terry (7/15/2015 9:31 AM)

     

    7/15/2015 10:16 AM  #6

    terry
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    From: vandalia, illinois
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Here is an example of a lever
    http://m.summitracing.com/parts/snn-10329

     

    7/16/2015 11:50 AM  #7

    wemjr
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Thanks guys!  I did pick up a new Stant cap with a lever and it is 13 lbs.  I did notice that the old one did indeed have two gaskets.  I am going to use it today when I get home.  I plan to use Prestone antifreeze and Water Wetter.

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    7/16/2015 1:45 PM  #8

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Also be sure the hose going from your radiator goes to the bottom of the recovery tank.

    I have owned many, many Mustangs and have never had a recovery tank on any of them.  They do not lose water if you only fill them to the proper level.  I have never owned one that loses water!

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/16/2015 1:51 PM  #9

    wemjr
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Thanks Steve.  The hose is connected to the bottom of the recovery tank and the radiator outlet at the filler neck.  My tank appears to be a stock factory installed item. 

       •Thread Starter
     

    7/16/2015 8:13 PM  #10

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    There were no factory installed overflow tanks on these cars.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    7/16/2015 9:20 PM  #11

    wemjr
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Really?  So it was a total loss system then?  Ok.  I will take a picture of mine and post it so that you can tell me where it came from then.  Thanks!

       •Thread Starter
     

    7/17/2015 4:57 AM  #12

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    It really wasn't a "total loss" system because if you leave the coolant level down about 1" below the cap it will not overflow and loose coolant when it heats up.  That's what MS meant when he said "filled to the proper level".

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    7/17/2015 6:25 AM  #13

    Mach1_Ron
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    From: Highland Village, Texas
    Registered: 5/28/2013
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    These cars were Originally considered to have an OPEN System, by adding the Surge Tank, you changed it to a CLOSED System. As long as you have the correct Radiator Cap for the Radiator, and the Overflow hooked up correctly, you should be Okie Dokie....

    "The OLDER I Get....The FASTER I Was..."
     

    7/17/2015 6:51 AM  #14

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    wemjr wrote:

    Really?  So it was a total loss system then?  Ok.  I will take a picture of mine and post it so that you can tell me where it came from then.  Thanks!


    I will be difficult to tell where it came from if we don'tt know who put it on there!
     I made one to put one on my car because I had nothing better to do at the time. It rarley has any overflow fluid in it because I keep the level in the rad about an inch below the roof of the top tank.

     

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    7/22/2015 7:34 AM  #15

    wemjr
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    Re: Coolant recovery questions

    Ok guys.  Thanks!  I have not had a chance to take a picture.  I did get a new temp guage as mine was not working correctly.  I will install it by the end of the week.  Any ideas on how to correctly set my fan controller?  It turns on when the radiator gets hot, but never turns off?  Do I have it set to low and thus it is never getting to the cutoff temp?  It is an Old Air Products fan and shroud assembly.  I set it to come on at the lowest temp and I think that's why it doesnt shut off.  What do you all think?  Thanks!

       •Thread Starter
     

     

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