1966 expansion tanks

[Jef S.]

The 66 427 project car that i am just starting on was basically dismantled in the mid 70s and left for dead. I have looked at several pictures of the engine compartments in various books, some have the expansion tank some dont the aim isnt very informative in this case. Did a 390 hp car with no other options except power steering have expansion tanks originally?

[Larry M.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Expansion tanks were used in conjunction with aluminum radiators. Cars with brass radiators do not use them. The 1966 427 engine car has a brass radiator and no expansion tank. The upper radiator tank serves this purpose.

Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Expansion tanks were used in conjunction with aluminum radiators. Cars with brass radiators do not use them. The 1966 427 engine car has a brass radiator and no expansion tank.

Larry

Larry------


100% correct for C2 (and 1968 C3). However, there's an exception for later C3. All 1969-72 big blocks (except L-88, ZL-1, and LS-6) used copper/brass radiators in conjunction with an external supply tank. Most were the same aluminum tank used for 68-72 small blocks with aluminum radiators but those with C-60 used a brass tank.

By the way, after 1972 no Corvette used an aluminum radiator or an external supply tank until the C4 era when the aluminum radiator returned for good. The external supply tank returned for the 1990 model year.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Larry------


100% correct for C2 (and 1968 C3). However, there's an exception for later C3. All 1969-72 big blocks (except L-88, ZL-1, and LS-6) used copper/brass radiators in conjunction with an external supply tank. Most were the same aluminum tank used for 68-72 small blocks with aluminum radiators but those with C-60 used a brass tank.

By the way, after 1972 no Corvette used an aluminum radiator or an external supply tank until the C4 era when the aluminum radiator returned for good. The external supply tank returned for the 1990 model year.

Joe:

Thanks for the clarifications. My poor mind has a hard enough time keeping track of C2 stuff.............I don't think I'll ever master C3-C4-C5-C6 information too.

Your knowledge about this stuff is incredible.

Larry

[Jim T.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Larry------


100% correct for C2 (and 1968 C3). However, there's an exception for later C3. All 1969-72 big blocks (except L-88, ZL-1, and LS-6) used copper/brass radiators in conjunction with an external supply tank. Most were the same aluminum tank used for 68-72 small blocks with aluminum radiators but those with C-60 used a brass tank.

By the way, after 1972 no Corvette used an aluminum radiator or an external supply tank until the C4 era when the aluminum radiator returned for good. The external supply tank returned for the 1990 model year.

Never to old to learn. Having a 68 and 70 Corvettes did not know that all 73-82 Corvettes had copper/brass radiators. Thanks for confirmation information on radiator usage. Is your 69 big block running and being driven?

[Michael W.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Never to old to learn. Having a 68 and 70 Corvettes did not know that all 73-82 Corvettes had copper/brass radiators. Thanks for confirmation information on radiator usage. Is your 69 big block running and being driven?

Jim-

'73 also marked the year that GM finally introduced a coolant recovery tank to Corvette and did away with external expansion tanks. Never did understand why it took them so long. A far superior system.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Is your 69 big block running and being driven?

Jim-----


Not quite yet. Hopefully, soon. I just got "static" about it yesterday.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Jim-

'73 also marked the year that GM finally introduced a coolant recovery tank to Corvette and did away with external expansion tanks. Never did understand why it took them so long. A far superior system.

Mike-----


Starting in 1990 they got BOTH an expansion tank AND a recovery tank.

[John H.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Jim-

'73 also marked the year that GM finally introduced a coolant recovery tank to Corvette and did away with external expansion tanks. Never did understand why it took them so long. A far superior system.

Mike -

Patent issue, which became a huge patent infringement issue. An inventor owned the patent on the coolant recovery system, and wasn't interested in licensing it. Due primarily to the requirement for it on the Vega to stabilize coolant level regardless of temperature, GM went ahead and incorporated coolant recovery on many models for 1973, ignoring the patent issue.

The inventor naturally sued, and a period of negotiation followed; the inventor and GM finally settled, with a license for GM to use the patent. The inventor did very nicely.

[Michael W.]

Re: 1966 expansion tanks

Wow- the things you learn. Thanks!

Mike -

Patent issue, which became a huge patent infringement issue. An inventor owned the patent on the coolant recovery system, and wasn't interested in licensing it. Due primarily to the requirement for it on the Vega to stabilize coolant level regardless of temperature, GM went ahead and incorporated coolant recovery on many models for 1973, ignoring the patent issue.

The inventor naturally sued, and a period of negotiation followed; the inventor and GM finally settled, with a license for GM to use the patent. The inventor did very nicely.