Hey Bill,
An overflow should work, in theory. As your coolant heats
up it expands and will find any escape route,like your
drain tube to the street. If that drain tube went into a
reservoir it would keep all the environmentalists
happy first, and second as it cools it should siphon the
overflow back into the radiator. Try maintaining the
level of your coolant about an inch or two from the
bottom of the radiator fill neck when the motor is cold
to minimize overflow. Also check to see what the
recommended pressure rating of your radiator cap is for
your specific motor. The purpose of the radiator cap is
to control the boiling point of the coolant/water mix by
keeping it under pressure. Hence "NEVER OPEN WHEN HOT!"
If this condition persists you may want to replace your
thermostat. If it is defective, i.e. stuck open or
closed, the circulation and cooling effect through the
motor will be greatly compromised.
Good Luck
T.L.
> I was wondering if anyone had tried to put a coolant overflow canister on an
> older Imperial. Today was a pretty hot day here in So. Cal., and I drove my
> '59 to work. I had a few associates tell me my car was leaking coolant, but I
> told them the older cars just have a tube running to the street, which is why
> you had to check the water every time you gassed up. Today I had quite a bit
> boiling out in a river through the parking lot, since I just topped off the
> radiator the last time I drove it. After seeing how much went out, I will
> have to check it for coolant before I drive to work tomorrow, and when we get
> some of the really hot 100 degree days in summer, I'm afraid I will have to
> carry around a jug of coolant in the trunk. It would be easy to put in an
> overflow canister, and there is plenty of room. I was just wondering if it
> would work?
> Bill '59 Crown
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