[rob the elder]

Agreed, I'm having a problem visualizing how this is mounted.


Rob, can you explain how this would be mounted? I'm having a problem visualizing how this is installed.

Weapon-R® 826-122-102 - Coolant Overflow Tank (carid.com)
This is one sample. I found several.

 

[JohnWR]

How does one get to the nut on the inside to tighten it down. One assumes the aluminum is too thin to just thread a male sight hole in as in the DDM example.

I think that you would likely have to drill the holes then weld threaded bungs over them for the mounting, and, as @rob the elder said, that specific gauge may not be correct for the application.

For boilers we use a sight gauge with petcocks for the primary level monitoring, and have a series of petcocks aligned vertically parallel to that gauge that can be cracked open to test for the liquid level.

 

[HHGadget]

I posted that as an example not necessarily as the specific solution. I found tanks on line that have the sight tube mounted. I am also sure that Dave can come up with a good solution. In RED.

No judgement just spitballing ideas. If one was to know where the proper height was, doing a single sight window in a larger size would almost be doable as i believe i could get one finger down the cap hole and hold a nut, maybe, just possibly a small socket wrench.

 

[Wunderkind]

Is the colourization due to age? While I've seen some that turned orangy brown, mine's still fairly whitish. Funny thing is I stumbled upon a BNIB GM unit at a liquidation warehouse for $20.
Is surge tank leakage a real problem for our cars? Looks pretty sturdy.
Perhaps the PAW unit's comes with a floating gauge like some european cars.

 

[JohnWR]

Is the colourization due to age? While I've seen some that turned orangy brown, mine's still fairly whitish. Funny thing is I stumbled upon a BNIB GM unit at a liquidation warehouse for $20.
Is surge tank leakage a real problem for our cars? Looks pretty sturdy.
Perhaps the PAW unit's comes with a floating gauge like some european cars.

I have not heard of tank failures, so I suspect it is not a major issue. I suspect this is a case of "different is better" or at least "different is different".

 

[HHGadget]

Pretty sure it does not.
The plastic tanks can fail, though i think it isnt super common.
However as parts become more scarce over time i prefer a heavier duty, longer lasting solution like this.
The aesthetic is nice as well

 

[4501 Safari]

On Gadget's finger in the tank approach...

While I do have long fingers, I might choose to:

Go through the cap opening with right angle long needle nose pliers inside the tank holding the nut...thinking about where you want the sight glass(es) and have drilled your entry hole. Then insert the sight glass, with an appropriate seal and washer, if needed, to thread into the nut. Notice the sight glasses have six-point bases to allow tightening down. At least that's how I'd do it...I think.

An alternative is to have a .25 aluminum plate welded to the side of the tank, drilling and threading there...or the bung idea John mentioned would surely work as well.

Standing away from the screen now.

Richard

 

[JohnWR]

Realistically you can do reasonably well without being able to check the level from outside, it is just less convenient because you have to open the cap first.

 

[ChopTop]

I just realized you'd also lose the function of the coolant sensor with this right? I wonder if that means your coolant sensor dashboard light would always be on? I guess that's a question for PAW.

 

[HHGadget]

I just realized you'd also lose the function of the coolant sensor with this right? I wonder if that means your coolant sensor dashboard light would always be on? I guess that's a question for PAW.

I believe it states on his website it comes with a coolant sensor pre installed

 

[Super Serg]

Dave’s reply to a similar question:

 

[Kappasky]

That response is like not needing a gas gauge. The Kappas have a low fuel warning light. If you really want to know, you can put a dip stick down the filler neck.

 

[JohnWR]

That response is like not needing a gas gauge. The Kappas have a low fuel warning light. If you really want to know, you can put a dip stick down the filler neck.

Not exactly. I have gone for years without needing to add coolant, so unlike gasoline it is not quite a "consumable".

 

[HHGadget]

My plan (if Dave is unwilling to tack weld some nuts before painting it) is to set the system up and run for a few weeks periodically checking the level inside when cool.
Then when i feel confident i know where the level is with his tank installed, locate a 1-2” single round looking glass port and install it dead center on the operating line.

 

[Kappasky]

Perhaps. Maybe just me, but every vehicle I’ve owned has had a visual way of checking the coolant level with a glance. Just a convenience thing for me.

 

[ChopTop]

Perhaps. Maybe just me, but every vehicle I’ve owned has had a visual way of checking the coolant level with a glance. Just a convenience thing for me.

HHGadget addressed that in post 17 with a sight glass installation. Though I'm not sure how one would go about determining where it should be located.

 

[HHGadget]

HHGadget addressed that in post 17 with a sight glass installation. Though I'm not sure how one would go about determining where it should be located.
View attachment 128458

Post #34 is my “plan” on how to determine where it should go.
i am attempting to find a larger version of the image you posted, which in theory would give some wiggle room. The one Rob posted is the ideal but without welding some correctly spaced nuts to the tank before it is coated / painted, i am not confident it would be able to be attached after the fact.
I left Dave at PAW a voicemail yesterday and will follow up Monday. Hopefully henis open to the idea.
As it is there are metal coolant tanks with the sight glass built in that are less money than just the sight glass alone. I would happily order one and send it to PAW if he would be willing to install it before coating…
What is unique about PAWs solution is that it includes the low coolant sensor.
Here is the cheap amazon one that has the level meter built in

RASTP Universal 1L Coolant Overflow Tank, Aluminum Coolant Radiator Tank,Reservoir Expansion,Black

Buy RASTP Universal 1L Coolant Overflow Tank, Aluminum Coolant Radiator Tank,Reservoir Expansion,Black at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision!

www.amazon.com

 

[JohnWR]

Why not ask Dave to make one side thicker? Then you can tap a hole wherever you decide you need it.

 

[BrokeGarageRoadster]

Maybe I'm missing something here but why don't you guys just use a flashlight? The filler cap is right there at the edge of a tank wall if you see coolant below the halfway point add some. You can pre-measure this point by filling it with dyed water before you install it or am I missing something. The wall the cap is closest to is even the one closest to your vantage from outside the car engine bay.......

 

[HHGadget]

Maybe I'm missing something here but why don't you guys just use a flashlight? The filler cap is right there at the edge of a tank wall if you see coolant below the halfway point add some. You can pre-measure this point by filling it with dyed water before you install it or am I missing something. The wall the cap is closest to is even the one closest to your vantage from outside the car engine bay.......

Its a quick visual thing without having to open the cap.
Dave just emailed me and is going to add the option for the viewer like the DDM link i posted for a nominal fee.