Header tank plumbing.

[jonfey]

Hello all.

I'm looking at fitting a header tank in the near future ( purely as a "back up" ) and have been searching around for ideas, and advice both out there on the internet and here on the forum.

Apart from the non crucial personal preferences / routes regards plumbing, the main difference I've seen is as to where the best place is to fit
the large feed pipe from the header tank itself. It seems the wisdom points to both the top of the radiator and the bottom too !

One must surely be a better option than the other ? Or, does it not make any difference at all?

Interested to know what members thoughts are on this. I just want to do this the once ! Thank you.

[jonfey]

Keep it simple. The header tank is simply there to hold a volume of water above the level of the water pump, ensuring a positive head at all times.
Whatever header you go for, and there are Mercedes, Volvo and Ford items that are suitable as well as (expensive) aftermarket ones, mount it as high as you can. The large, bottom, hose should be plumbed into a new fitting low down on the LH side tank of the radiator. The smaller, return hose, should be fitted to a new fitting in the radiator filler neck.
Header tanks with a level warning switch can give warning of low level in the event of a loss of coolant.

Thank you for that DJT. Another question if you wouldn't mind. By " low down on the LH side tank of the radiator" are you referring to the LH surface facing outwards, towards the expansion tank, or, the surface facing towards the bulkhead? I'm sorry if that's a stupid question.

[Goldstar]

Dave is right although the alternative is the lower hose tee'd into the heater hose and water pump inlet hose as here http://grampianstags.net/headertank.htm

[jonfey]

All references to LH or RH are as seen from the drivers seat. Check the front face of each cylinder head. They have LH and RH cast into them. If you fit one as described above, block off the existing pipe feeding the original expansion bottle.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]41652[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]41653[/ATTACH]

That's very clear, thank you and it looks very neat in there too. Which bottle is that please? Does it have a level sensor?

[jonfey]

Dave is right although the alternative is the lower hose tee'd into the heater hose and water pump inlet hose as here http://grampianstags.net/headertank.htm

Ah yes. Thank you Goldstar. I did see that site when I was looking around. It's a part of what actually prompted me to ask for preferences and opinions here. Thanks again.

[Goldstar]

No problem thats how I'll do mine until I can be bothered to get my spare radiator to the local rad shop for a boss bottom left

[trunt]

All the pictures I have seen of header tanks have been RHD cars and have them on the LHS of the car,

Any reason? I would guess maybe to get nearest to where most tap out the vent pipe?

With a LHD car does it make a difference? would there be more space for it on the RHS?

[mjheathcote]

I first fitted a header tank over 30 years ago, and for about 20 years it was just piped as per original bottle, but higher, worked fine.
My mark two version the same but also teed into the top hose.
This works fine too but you then have a flow of water through the header tank, essentially bypassing the radiator.
At first I thought this would be a mistake, but has not caused a problem with water temperature, and as all the water at some stage will pass through the header tank, it is an area where any air bubbles can release.

[jonfey]

I first fitted a header tank over 30 years ago, and for about 20 years it was just piped as per original bottle, but higher, worked fine.
My mark two version the same but also teed into the top hose.
This works fine too but you then have a flow of water through the header tank, essentially bypassing the radiator.
At first I thought this would be a mistake, but has not caused a problem with water temperature, and as all the water at some stage will pass through the header tank, it is an area where any air bubbles can release.

Thanks for that. Interesting the different ways owners have approached this. I'm learning all the time !

[wilf]

Well, just another route - I have the Wards tank, and I went that route mainly because the special top hose they supply looks more "OE" than anything else on the market, and avoids ugly (to my eyes) plumbing type fittings.

[Goldstar]

Well, just another route - I have the Wards tank, and I went that route mainly because the special top hose they supply looks more "OE" than anything else on the market, and avoids ugly (to my eyes) plumbing type fittings.

Each to their own Wilf but they would be tricky to see, however ugly, when you're driving:-)

[MandM]

Well, just another route - I have the Wards tank, and I went that route mainly because the special top hose they supply looks more "OE" than anything else on the market, and avoids ugly (to my eyes) plumbing type fittings.

Mine look ok
P1060327.jpg

[wilf]

I did say it was "To my eyes", that doesn't preclude others from having varying views, nor does it criticise them. So I'll keep my own view on them, thanks.

[Goldstar]

I did say it was "To my eyes", that doesn't preclude others from having varying views, nor does it criticise them. So I'll keep my own view on them, thanks.

As i said, each to their own and ended with a smiley, no need to be so touchy

[Goldstar]

Getting the two new spigots added to the OE radiator cost pennies on top of having the radiator flushed, tested and painted by my local radiator company.

That's my plan for sure Dave