Expansion tank

[David Horsnell]

I'm using a 2.9i V6 engine and am struggling to find an expansion tank for the cooling system that will fit onto the chassis and enable the cooling system to be filled from the expansion tank.

Has anyone had similar problems and come up with a solution ?

I have tried a Rover SD1 expansion tank but this does not enable the system to be filled easily.

I'm collecting the body in just over 2 weeks and want to get this sorted before then.

Thanks

David Horsnell

[Dan]

David,

Pilgrim can provide a cylidrical tank that fixes to the passenger side of the bulkhead. On my RV8 car this exansion tank fits nicely between the exhaust manifold and engine. Only requires a few long lengths of rubber hose to plumb in in to the radiator. Cost is only £35, However you'll need to pickup the lid as they have different preasure settings depending upon the engine.


Dan ~ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/danny.mann/

http://images.animfactory.com/animat...ood_md_wht.gif

[David Horsnell]

Danny,

Thanks for the reply, I've ordered the expansion tank from Pilgrim.

Another question, how did you construct the bottom radiator hose and then connect this the the pilgrim expansion tank?

I've been on your web site (well done, it's good) but there aren't any photos of the expansion tank or pipework. Do you have any that you could e-mail either on the forum or direct to me (david@classic-reserve.co.uk).

One last question, what is the distance between the front edge of the chassis top rail and the back of your radiator and the height (from extremes) of the rad you used - is it the Pilgrim 2.3 diesel Sierra rad.

Thanks again

David

(I've had my chassis running using a different rad but found that even in this cold weather, it was struggling to keep the engine from getting too hot. With body ready in 18 days, I started panicing and had decided to start again on the rad and cooling hoses)

[Dan]

David,

I don't believe I have any photo's of lower hoses (If I do then I havn't yet got around to scanning them in to the computer - I'll check this evening). I can tell you though that the hose is I believe a 1/2" diameter and will fit both the expansion tank and rad (Yes, The 2.8 diesel rad) with out any diameter changes required. You will need a flow and return. I have the flow going from the bottom of the expansion tank, along the bottom rail to the bottom of the rad on the nearside. The return is from the top offside of the rad and is attached to the top rail (Above the wire harness) to the top of the expansion tank. I bought 5 Meters of hose and had about a meter and a half left afterwards.

The hoses between the rad and the engine will need to be chopped and extended. I used a length of polished Exhaust tubing of I belive 1 1/2" Diameter. Still have a long length of this left that if you wish I can send to you as it's no good to me?? In the picture below you can see the expansion tank in the top right corner and the extension tube in the bottom center.

The Bottom hose from the engine used the bends from a rover top hose in conjunction with more lengths of the polished exhaust tube.

http://www.cobraclub.com/cobragaller...enginebay2.jpg

To Answer the question about the distance, I don't have the figues to hand nor am I able to measure them quickly as the car is no longer in my garage at home. I found the rad fitted best by having it upside down. The predrilled hole on the bottom rail of the chassis lined up pretty well with the holes in the Rad. I removed the plastic fixings on the side of the rad with an angle ginder and then tidied it up with a sanding wheel. I then made up some custom brackets to hold the top in place. It's a pretty tight fit between the top of the rad and the body tub! but by slightly angling the rad backwards I was able to get an inch clerance between the rad and body tub. (Yes the body tub spent along time being place on and off the car).


http://www.cobraclub.com/cobragaller...papass=&sort=1



Dan ~ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/danny.mann/

http://images.animfactory.com/animat...ood_md_wht.gif

[David Horsnell]

Dan

Thanks for your e-mail and photo.

The set up on your Rover V8 is different to my Ford V6 and so I think I will try and use my Ford V6 radiator. My local radiator reconditioner says that the 2.3 diesel rad and the 2.9 V6 are the same overall size but the hose connections are clearly different.

The top connection should be no problem but the nearside lower (input) seems a b*gger to get to fit because of the proximity of the steering rack and suspension.

My top expansion vent comes off the engine thermostat housing in 10mm hose but the fill hose from the expansion tank is 15mm and I'll have to find a way of joining this 15mm hose into the bottom rad hose as there is no provision on the rad itself.

Thanks for the offer of the steel pipe but all my rad in and out hoses are 32mm.

Cheers

David

[David Horsnell]

Dan

Can I take you up on your offer of the 1.5 inch exhaust pipe ?

Have been down to the scrap yard to get an assortment of rad hoses and now just need a method of joining them together. They are 1.5 inches diameter, my mistake earlier.

Would you like a contribution either for the pipe, postage or both ?

Cheers

David Horsnell

[Dan]

David, I have sent you a mail - Will post up the measurements later this evening.


Dan ~ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/danny.mann/

http://images.animfactory.com/animat...ood_md_wht.gif

[Dan]

The pipe I have has an OD of 35mm and ID of 31mm. Only have 3' length left over, Have parcelled it up anyway, just need your address if you want it...

[Dan]

Was reading through the latest copy of Kit-car last night when I read an article about a chap who's cobra would blow the hose where it joined a polished metal tube between the engine and the Rad.

When under preasure it's the expansion tank lid that is supposed to let off steam. The tip suggested was to abraise the shiny tube where it makes contact with the rubber hose and possibly use two clips instead of a single one. I used Silicon sealer as well, but make sure when the preasure of the jubilee clip is applied it won't squish in to the tube as it may well end up blocking your rad.

perhaps somthing to bare in mind when plumbing the rad in...

Dan ~ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/danny.mann/

http://images.animfactory.com/animat...ood_md_wht.gif

[David Horsnell]

Dan

I read that posting too.

I'll certainly bear it in mind.

David