VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 40 Radiator Overflow Tank

I'm going to install a overflow tank on my 1940 Special Deluxe Coupe, my questions are as follows. How was the tube from the radiator routed to the overflow tank & do you cut the overflow tube on the tank off at a certain point or attach it to where it was originally at the bottom of the radiator.

Thank You

Sparky

I sent you the instructions for a 1939 and a 1950.
Chevs of the '40's catalog has listed a 1937-48 instruction sheet and a 1949-54.May be the same as I sent you and may not.
Note that the 39 has the hose connected to the bottom of the overflow tube and the 1950 tube gets cut off near the top.I believe that the tube did not get cut on the 1948 and older.I have mine acording to the instructions and they "work" fine.
The main thing is to have everything air tight.If I had a 1940 I would run a 4 pound pressure cap during hot weather as they tend to have hot running engines.Installing a 1941 core will also help.

Gene,

Thank you for the pictures they confirm how I thought it mounted. I allready had the holes for it in my firewall. My only other question is about securing the hose from the radiator overflow tube to the overflow tank. I assume that it is run along the bottom of the radiator then attached to what on the fenderwell? Do I attach it to the heater hoses? Was it attached with clamps or taped.

Thank You for the help.

The hose just hangs and is about frame heigth.I believe that the over flow is on the right side in 1940.If not. yes its run along the bottom of the radiator as it was in 1939.The hoses are not clamped on as there was no pressure.Even with the 4 pound cap on the later models it had no clamps.The hose is rather heavy.The drain extension hose that hangs uunder the tank has a smaller ID and is not heavy.It is only and extension hose to carry the coolant down closer to the pavement if the tank gets over filled-like the radiator is really cooking.Normally nothing comes out of it.

Sparkey, I read about your question and I seldom get to respond being new to the hobby, BUT, here's my chance.

I will say that if Gene says it is so, it so. He helped me re-plumb the overflow tank on my 41, coupe.

In reference to your short hose question, I exchanged the short {drain} hose for one about 6 inches longer. On my 41 the "original" length did not hang past the frame and a couple of areas under the battery area/frame, so I added some length. I also zip tied it to the fuel line, to make sure it drained to the ground.

Gene is also correct, in his review of which hose is incoming vs. draining. and on my car, I did not use any "C" clamps.

Best of luck and Yes it does work and catch overflow water, although my cars runs very cool.

Happy Motoring,
Michael41

Gene,

My overflow tank is mounted on the right side of the firewall and the overflow tube from the radiator is on the left side, both views from being inside of the car. I assume I have the correct radiator, so my hose would hook on the tube & just hang from the tube to the overflow tank is that correct.

Thank You

Sparky,
Just looked at a picture of the 1940 radiator.Yes, the overflow pipe is on the left side as is my '39...Follow the 1939 instructions and run it just below the core over to the right side.Must clear the fan and balancer.I believe mine actually lays on the crossmember in the center (too cold to go out and look).I do not have the hose secured and it stays in place OK.Yes, the over flow hose on the bottom of the overflow tank should extend at least as low as the bottom of the frame at that point.(thats the small hose)...

Gene,,

Thanks for the good information & help.