Was the 85 Radiator Overflow Bottle Different? (Page 1/1)
Dennis LaGrua APR 20, 08:19 PM
Just noticed on my 85GT ragtop with a 4.9L Caddy engine that the radiator overflow bottle was missing. It looks as though the 85 may use a different bottle Can anyone conform this? Fiero store shows one bottle used for all applications

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 04-20-2018).]

Patrick APR 20, 08:39 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

It looks as though the 85 may use a different bottle.



Interestingly enough, '85 is the only year Fiero I've never had... but all the other years seem to use the same one. Difficult to imagine that '85 alone would've used a different one.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 04-20-2018).]

Gall757 APR 20, 08:46 PM
The Fiero Store sells one bottle for 84 - 88.
Dennis LaGrua APR 20, 09:12 PM
I guess the question has been answered, thank you, but I might try the nice SS universal overflow tank sold on eBay for $24 shipped. Much more rugged than the thin repro poly tanks and they cost less.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Patrick APR 20, 09:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

I might try the nice SS universal overflow tank sold on eBay for $24 shipped. Much more rugged than the thin repro poly tanks and they cost less.



The wrecking yards are probably full of suitable units that could be had for next to nothing. Might be informative to find out what people have discovered on late model cars that fits/works well.
theogre APR 20, 10:20 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
I might try the nice SS universal overflow tank sold on eBay for $24 shipped. Much more rugged than the thin repro poly tanks and they cost less.

Many Aftermarket tanks don't hold as much as OE ones for Fiero.

Might work but easily suck dry when first fill after coolant system work.
Fiero Coolant System will "self burp" only when tank isn't suck dry letting air in when cooled down after running.

So watch them carefully for a few days after opening the Tstat cap etc.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

olejoedad APR 21, 07:19 AM
85 coolant recovery tank is the same as all the other model years.
84 and 85 used a smaller windshield washer reservoir, 86 and up used a larger reservoir.
Dennis LaGrua APR 21, 10:04 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:
I might try the nice SS universal overflow tank sold on eBay for $24 shipped. Much more rugged than the thin repro poly tanks and they cost less.

Many Aftermarket tanks don't hold as much as OE ones for Fiero.

Might work but easily suck dry when first fill after coolant system work.
Fiero Coolant System will "self burp" only when tank isn't suck dry letting air in when cooled down after running.

So watch them carefully for a few days after opening the Tstat cap etc.

[/QUOTE]
I share that concern so we will need to see if 800ml (27 oz) capacity is sufficient. After the initial fill and bleed I believe that we should be OK. If not then the FS tank goes in.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

Raydar APR 21, 10:33 AM
I relocated the overflow to the rear. Unless you are going for a totally stock look, I recommend it highly. It greatly increased the reliability of my cooling system. (I used to lose coolant, before.)
I have a fill adapter on my 4.9, with an aftermarket overflow bottle.
The fill adapter has a 15 lb cap. Installed a 20 lb cap on the radiator, to shift the "overflow" to the rear.
olejoedad APR 21, 12:05 PM
Raydar, your radiator will still form an air pocket due to the top feed/bottom discharge design of the radiator. It's designed that way as an air trap. You can run two tanks, just be sure you use the same value pressure cap on both.