Coolant Reservoir

[LtBest]

Hi Folks,
I'm topping off my old-as-dirt radiator more often than I'd prefer and I had a moment of invention:

What if my 76 CJ7 (AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l i6) had a coolant reservoir to store coolant when it gets hot and could pull from when it is cool? Then, a second later, I realized this is what nearly every modern car has and began to feel like I'm missing a pretty ingenious part under my hood.

I have a small tube leaving the radiator neck where the cap is installed and it runs across the top and immediately down the side of the radiator and drips on the ground.

Has anyone done this. . .with success? Where did you mount it? I haven't found anything for purchase from JC W, 4Wheel Parts, or Morris that fits the search parameter 76 CJ7 Coolant Reservoir.

 

[richardoutwest]

I did mine, it helped some here in Arizona but I really need a fan shroud. I got my bottle at PepBoys for around $15



I like the ones that has the metal basket for the bottle to set in.

 

[mtnwhlr]

You should be able to get on for a '80 cj and it mounts on the inner fender well an the left side next to the washer bottle.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

The Factory one on the CJ I was building ran across the radiator to the drivers side and bolted up right above the ignition module on the fender. really a soda bottle with a hose stuck in it is as fancy as it gets. the system is not pressurized since there is a pressure cap on the radiator.

 

[jonboy1919]

I bought this little reservoir bottle at NAPA and mounted it on the passenger fender well, as it was the only spot I had available. Bought a length of tubing, added a little coolant and it has worked perfectly.

 

[LtBest]

That's great info, guys! I've got some options and will venture out to see what I can create! Thanks so much!

 

[jeffgtoman]

Be sure to purchase a radiator cap designed for a "closed" system. It has an extra seal at the top to seal the return hose. The Cap-to-Tank seal is not on a radiator cap designed for your Jeep.

Also, if you have ANY leaks in your cooling system, It will draw air from the leak during cool down instead of drawing coolant out of the reservoir.

 

[Torxhead]

Also when you bolt that thing down, using a large fender washer to help take the load off that flimsy plastic.

 

[Flex BT]

How far down is the reservior tube supposed to be, just to the fill line?

 

[jeffgtoman]

Make it about 1/16" from the bottom.

 

[Flex BT]

Geez... I just replaced the reservoir and there's no way the hose that's on there now will go to the bottom of the tank. I'll add it to page 3 of the list of things I have to do to this freaking thing.

 

[jonboy1919]

Geez... I just replaced the reservoir and there's no way the hose that's on there now will go to the bottom of the tank. I'll add it to page 3 of the list of things I have to do to this freaking thing.

The little bottle I got from NAPA had the nipple on the bottom, works beautifully!