haggis Posted November 18, 2018 Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 Hi all, just wondering if there are benefits in adding a header tank to the cooling system on my Gt6? I have a Nissan micra one that fits perfectly to the bulkhead, but I’m aware the original set up only had an expansion bottle which I assume is perfectly adequate in most cases. If you have added a header tank a pic of the setup would be really useful, especially radiator end. Thanks hag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted November 18, 2018 Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 I posted this pic recently, in a thread about an oil cach tank, but it also shows my expansion tank. It's immediately behind the bonnet support tube, on the bulkhead. The radiator is a Hinda Civic R one, with a different site for the top hose, hence the revised connection to the fabricated thermstat cover. Does that help, Haggis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted November 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 Hi john, I’m just coming out of a vw golf rad conversion which is similar to yours , , , ,going back to a normal set up as I squeezed some funds for an alicool Rad and just wondering if it’s worth keeping the header and incorporating into new system. What’s the small pipe hugging the back of the rad on your picture? Thanks hag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted November 18, 2018 Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 It's a conduit for the wiring to the electric water pump. Keeps it neat, out of the way of fans etc, and with a multiway connecor at each end just unplugs if the rad needs to be removed. The lugs built into the rad made it easy to fit, using J-clips. J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted November 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 Anyone else fitted a header tank to standard system? Nice work John, looks well considered and neat, I like the pipe ‘conduit’ idea. Hag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thnak you! Just don't look at the wiring on the passenger end of the bulkhead, that other kind friends have described as a disgraceful rats nest! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 I am not convinced there is a big advantage over using the overflow bottle and a cap that allows coolant to be sucked back as it cools. However, my cars DO run modern expansion tanks, with a takeoff at a high point (thermostat housing in my dolomite, and same on my zetec powered spitfire ) and a large 5/8 hose Teed into the bottom rad hose. This circulates coolant (and any air) through the header tank. On your car you could use a "seal cap" to replace the std rad cap, and use the overflow outlet to feed the top of the expansion tank. Though in a GT6 taking from the thermostat housing or both would be better. Highest point and all that.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted November 22, 2018 Report Share Posted November 22, 2018 The advantage that I can see is that all the system is under pressure with a head tank where as an overflow bottle means on cooling everything is under a slight vacuum. I think this is better because it seems to be hard to prevent or find vacuum leaks which then allow air to get drawn in rather than coolant. Of course when this happens the system loses level and the first indication is a heater that stops working.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted November 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 Hi, think I managed to get my head around it, I’ve included a couple of pics of my new setup, would appreciated anyone taking a look and letting me know if i need to change anything. I do intend to fit a standard cap. Thanks hag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted November 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 Not sure it did both pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 is it plumbed into the cooling system (apart from the rad neck)? If the bottom rad hose that is ideal. The rad will need a seal cap, not a normal one. Or rip the innards out of the normal cap.... It just wants to seal at the top of the neck, so coolant can always flow out of the neck take-off to the expansion tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted November 26, 2018 Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 That looks good but as Clive says the radiator cap will need to be modified somehow to have a rubber seal at the top rather than base (that one is now redundant) so that it doesnt leak under full system pressure as originally it was only designed for a slight vacuum as the system cooled. Also the cap itself is going to be exposed to more force now as its area under pressure is greater than that of the smaller hole it used to seal....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted November 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2018 Hi, thanks for your comments, I’ve ordered a rad blanking cap and a new top hose, hoping to fill it up at the weekend and give it a try. Hag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted November 27, 2018 Report Share Posted November 27, 2018 Didnt know you could get those! Definitely let us know how it goes especially the triple strombies..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now