coolant canister on old Imps.

["Phil" <hilljack7@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a non original one installed on my 68 coupe. It's a driver, so I'm not worried that much about originality at this stage. All you need is the coolant recovery cap, and something to use as a resevoir. Just be sure to check the rubber line used has no leaks, or the system won't be able to maintain vacuum. When that happens, the resevoir just becomes a catch can, because any vacuum leaks will prevent the system from drawing the coolant back in. Also, and this is the most important part, be SURE that your coolant recovery cap isn't too high of a pressure for your vintage Imperial. I've made this mistake before myself, and it's cost me split radiator tank seams and leaking freeze plugs before. You can get recovery caps in about any pressure rating, but most of the ones on the shelf are for modern cars, which are ran at a much higher pressure. Your parts store should be able to order you a lower pressure  recovery cap to match the one on your Imperial, if they don't have one on the shelf.

Phil

----- Original Message -----

From: Imperial59crown@xxxxxxx

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2002 6:19 AM

Subject: IML: coolant canister on old Imps.

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