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    Expansion tank problem

    I took my bird out for a ride after having the manifold gaskets replaced. I sounds so solid and powerful. I got back to the garage and heard a hisss I thought there was a snake under the hood. I looked closely and the expansion tank was whisling like a tea pot. I have had my tank chromed and have had problems with it ever since. I would think that after chroming a part I would not have any problems out of it. My question is should I remove it and fix it again or just buy another and not chrome it?
  • Howard Prout
    Experienced
    • Feb 11 2009
    • 443

    #2
    My expansion tank is chromed as well and I can't remember if I have had it fixed since then. Take the tank to your favorite rad shop and see if they can fix it. My gut reaction is that they have to get down to the brass to fix the leak. I assume it is leaking at the seam so any repair will be noticable.
    sigpic "Old Betsy" - my '59 convertible J9YJ116209 Thunderbird Registry #33341

    Comment

    • JohnG
      John
      • Jul 28 2003
      • 2341

      #3
      the chroming process includes stripping the tank and it is likely some of the solder from the joints got compromised.

      These tanks are generally unreliable despite the low pressure they live under.

      Aside from getting it repaired, you have two options: (1) get a tank from a 61-62 TBird which is supposed to be an improvement (2) get a reproduction tank- again supposed to be an improvement. (1) is alot cheaper.

      In any case I would not get it chromed...

      John
      1958 Hardtop
      #8452 TBird Registry
      http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

      photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
      history:
      http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

      Comment

      • Dan Leavens
        Moderator / Administrator


        • Oct 4 2006
        • 6366

        #4
        Rodney both suggestions are very sound. Here is my two (2) cents worth. These expansion tanks are always in need of repair depending on the usage and how hot your area is. I would get it blasted down to the quick, then get the seams repaired properly and paint it base black. Although looks great chromed having it period correct ( black ) is cheaper Living in Calgary ( 4200 feet above sea level ) I have repaired the 58HT twice and the 60HT once
        Dano Calgary,Alberta Canada
        Thunderbird Registry
        58HT #33317
        60 HT (Sold )

        Comment

        • Petrolhead
          Experienced
          • Jul 2 2007
          • 403

          #5
          Originally posted by Dan Leavens
          Rodney both suggestions are very sound. Here is my two (2) cents worth. These expansion tanks are always in need of repair depending on the usage and how hot your area is. I would get it blasted down to the quick, then get the seams repaired properly and paint it base black. Although looks great chromed having it period correct ( black ) is cheaper Living in Calgary ( 4200 feet above sea level ) I have repaired the 58HT twice and the 60HT once

          Good call Dan, practicality over appearance is the way to go here. My '62's tank has had its seams repaired, and I went with the black finish. I too was wary of what the dipping/plating process would do to the seams.

          Appearance wise, in my opinion the chrome would also make the tank a bit of a beacon sitting up high in the mioddle of the engine bay, whereas black would cause it to be less obvious, letting the viewer's eye drift towards a nice chrome air cleaner and valve covers...

          Comment

          • Guest

            #6
            Tank

            That is some good sound advice, I never knew or paid attention to the fact that stripping the tank was nessasary for chroming. I think I will buy a new repo tank. My tank has been repaired 4 times over the years. Twice when the thing was black. Your right, the system is low pressure so why do I ned repair so often, the tank is just weak.

            Comment

            • bird 60
              Super-Experienced
              • Mar 18 2009
              • 1143

              #7
              Hi, for what it's worth when you replace or fix your x tank make sure your thermostat is placed the right way. When I had my waterpump changed I had the thermo changed as well but discovered that it was placed backwards. If you like the chrome look you can always spray it a nice metalic silver. Chris...BIRD 60

              Comment

              • JohnG
                John
                • Jul 28 2003
                • 2341

                #8
                A guy from Paul's Chrome did a segment on My Classic Car last year. The process goes something like: the object is sandblasted clean and washed clean. Not sure of what it is washed with. Then copper plated, then nickel plated and finally a thin layer of chrome.

                I sandblasted mine when I first got the TBird just for painting it, only to discover the seams then leaked. Several radiator people told me it was a strange object for soldering and they were not confident of the results. After about a year I usually see some seeping around the horizontal solder seam.

                While I have heard that the 61-3's are better, it would be nice to hear from somebody with one that has not leaked for 5-10 years...

                Speaking of potential leaks, that little bitty piece of hose between the intake manifold and the water pump is a real engineering gem, ain't it??

                Tanks for listening

                john
                1958 Hardtop
                #8452 TBird Registry
                http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

                photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
                history:
                http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

                Comment

                • Petrolhead
                  Experienced
                  • Jul 2 2007
                  • 403

                  #9
                  Originally posted by JohnG
                  Speaking of potential leaks, that little bitty piece of hose between the intake manifold and the water pump is a real engineering gem, ain't it?? john
                  Funny you mention that, only last night I finished refitting my '62's intake after (hopefully) curing an intake rear seal leak.

                  the intake's hard enough to lower into position without trying to wiggle a silly little hose into place at the same time.

                  So, I ended up hugely frustrated trying to get the hose onto one fitting, then squish it up, bend it and generally force it onto the other.

                  definately a system designed by a committee

                  Comment

                  • JohnG
                    John
                    • Jul 28 2003
                    • 2341

                    #10
                    had to have been an afterthought... they got all done with the whole motor and somebody said "****! We forgot to connect the intake manifold to the water pump!". Someone else spotted some scrap hose on the floor and said "here...stick this in it. We're late for lunch."
                    1958 Hardtop
                    #8452 TBird Registry
                    http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

                    photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
                    history:
                    http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

                    Comment

                    • Howard Prout
                      Experienced
                      • Feb 11 2009
                      • 443

                      #11
                      Originally posted by JohnG
                      it would be nice to hear from somebody with one that has not leaked for 5-10 years...
                      I haven't had a leak in the expansion tank on my 430 in more than 25 years. Having said that, it will probably happen next week!
                      sigpic "Old Betsy" - my '59 convertible J9YJ116209 Thunderbird Registry #33341

                      Comment

                      • JohnG
                        John
                        • Jul 28 2003
                        • 2341

                        #12
                        wow!!

                        Is it the original style ? (smooth) or a later, ribbed one?

                        What pressure cap do you have on it?? I think 13 is stock.

                        john
                        1958 Hardtop
                        #8452 TBird Registry
                        http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

                        photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
                        history:
                        http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

                        Comment

                        • Howard Prout
                          Experienced
                          • Feb 11 2009
                          • 443

                          #13
                          I assume it is original style - smooth, no ribs - just a center seam. I run with a 14-15 psi cap. You can see it in a picture in the last entry I posted under the 430MEL section, "Puking Anitfreeze" thread.
                          Last edited by Howard Prout; March 20, 2009, 02:31 PM. Reason: correction
                          sigpic "Old Betsy" - my '59 convertible J9YJ116209 Thunderbird Registry #33341

                          Comment

                          • Guest

                            #14
                            expansion tank

                            I have a 13 pound cap, I used some JB weld on the seam for a temp fix. I have ordered a tank(they are repro now) so I'm waiting it's spring!

                            Comment

                            • scumdog
                              Super-Experienced

                              • May 12 2006
                              • 1528

                              #15
                              For those in not-so-hot places you could easily get by with an 8lb cap ( or lower) if you can find one.

                              13lb may raise the boiling point of your coolant but it sure stresses your radiator , expansion tank and all hoses.
                              A Thunderbirder from the Land of the Long White Cloud.

                              Comment

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