radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Recently I purchased a 36 Ford coupe and discovered there is an overflow tank mounted on the firewall. One of the plastic tubes from the bottom of the tank is connected to a port at the bottom of the radiator. The second tube from the top of the tank goes to the ground. I know the 36 Fords did not have overflow tanks so I was wondering if this tank may have been added as a coolant make up reservoir, and is the reason the tube coming out of the bottom of the tank is connected to a port added to the bottom of the radiator. Has anyone ever heard of this? Thoughts?

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Never heard of this. Don't see how that can function. Any chance you can talk to whoever did that, find out what he was thinking?

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Is it a pressurized system?

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

I don't know when this was added and I don't know the previous owner. I don't think it is a pressurized system. The radiator and cap appear to be the original. Appreciate input on this to understand why this was added.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Been waiting for someone to offer an explanation for this Rube Goldberg tank, cuz I can't think how this could do anything to help the cooling system.

I would suggest you wait for warm weather, see if it has an overheating problem. Then remove all that stuff and see how it acts without the tank.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

I have run a coolant recovery tank on my stock 36 for many years with both a stock radiator and a Walker pressurized radiator. So long as caps seal correctly recovery system works great with both pressurized or non.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Yeah Tony, I run one in my 35, but am reluctant to post about it on here on account of several members who vehemently oppose this modification.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Haa Haa too funny Brian as I typed my reply and hit enter I said to my wife. Now let the experts chime in. lol.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

But I bet you guys don't have the plumbing this way:

"tube coming out of the bottom of the tank is connected to a port added to the bottom of the radiator."

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

We don’t Jay. Ours is in overflow. Is your tank mounted higher than top of radiator? Otherwise it would seem water should run out. Your system is not pressurized then. After thinking about it bet yours is connected to stock radiator overflow tube at bottom of radiator. Jay look closely again at where your hose attaches at bottom of radiator. I’m guessing it is connected to the stock overflow tube that runs from bottom of radiator up into your top radiator tank. If so that is exactly how mine is with stock radiator and I believe Brian’s also.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Good thought, KiWi. Then this would all make sense.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Yes I got halfway through writing that last post and said to myself. That’s how mind is that’s absolutely correct.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

You can move that style tank out of sight if you want and it will still work.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

The connection at the bottom of the radiator might be where the overflow tube comes out.

Re: radiator overflow or make up tank on 1936 Ford Coupe
 

Yes, Mart. That is the point KiWi was making in #10: "look closely again at where your hose attaches at bottom of radiator. I’m guessing it is connected to the stock overflow tube that runs from bottom of radiator up into your top radiator tank."

That would make sense out of all this. Then the Original Poster just has the typical added overflow tank.