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Throwing Around Some Coolant System Ideas

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408wkash

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey guys, just thinking about something. I am sure that I'm one of many who hate the amount of coolant hoses we have. A guy on a local focus forum has used an Escort ZX2 thermostat housing with only large port for coolant, and an in-line filler neck and overflow bottle. He blocked off the ports in the rad and said it worked fine. I cant attest to this because I did not see it running, plus he never finished the car.

Do you think something like this could work? Heres some pics.





Hopefully someone knows if this can be done, and work well, and function the same if not better than the stock system.

All input is appreciated !
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Well what i was thinking was maybe ditch the in line filler neck, and run the escort type radiator with the cap and filler neck in the rad, and then a overflow bottle beside? It just seems to much simpler.
 
#4 ·
In Winter I'll cap off the small hose from the housing to the plastic Y.
The car heats better this way from what I've found.
BUT, there is more flow/pressure going through the heater core/lines. So you have to make sure those hoses are in good shape or you'll not like the results.

I too hate the coolant system on these things. Yes it works well. But it's such a cluttered system.
My idea for a long time has been to make an overflow that sits ahead of the radiator under the plastic top shield. There's plenty room there and it's out of the way to clean the engine bay up. I've just been too lazy to do anything more than talk though.
 
#5 ·
:lol:

idk about you guys but i like my clear tank that also in the line of flow. tells me what my coolant is looking like and at proper level and check for oil and foreign matter. if your worried about your engine bay, go buy a honda.


and oh my christ is that setup horrible. look at the turbo manifod. the turbo is held on by like 2-3 bolts...:lol:

hey bro check my coolant tank delete.:lol:
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Again this was just an idea, also not my car. Just thought there was a way to remove some of the hoses. All of those hoses on the track just sound like alot of possible issues or problems.
My dad has a foxbody mustang and with 2 coolant hoses my whole life he hasnt changed one yet.

Again, just a thought
 
#7 ·
I too like the result of all those lines but loathe the extra leak and fail points. The plastic tank gives early warning of low coolant without having to pop cap. And virtually instant bleeding there as well if stat stuck in right. I generally remove the little poppet valve in stat just to make a hole only, the valve can corrode shut later in life. Motor cannot see the change.

The pic shown is of a junk car, the cap is way too low to bleed, he'll have half air in motor there.................LOL.
 
#8 ·
Must be nice.
I have to remove a cap to see if I'm low:

Image



But ya kinda know when to look if you pay attention. Do I have a leak? No, coolant is good. Am I burning coolant? No, coolant is good.
I've really no reason to even bother checking it.
 
#9 ·
A flipside to everything on the planet, yours will never crack to blow out. The gotcha of plastic tanks. I've also seen the plastic to fray at threads to add friction to where you think cap is all the way down but you lose the pressure slowly to make trouble. Have lifted hood and suddenly a slight whine with engine off, the cap as tight as I could by hand but still leaking. Started taking a big set of pliers and by looking at printing on cap, tighten by hand and then another 1/8" with pliers and leak then fixed.
 
#10 ·
well. first. in those pictures.

CLEARLY the cheaper chincy autozone filler neck isnt even the highest point in the system. so bleeding is pointless. thats a doomed setup from word go.


and 2nd. has anyone here had to actually keep an eye on the tank for oil spotting from headlift when under boost? i havent personally had todo it but ja-red has before with his focus. and from his learning experiences and me at my auto knowledge level know that I for sure on my turbo focus WANT a clear coolant tank. its my car.

sure you could make a metal tank, by all means go head. i want myself. but id have to make a window in it so i could hold a flashlight to it and check it now and then. but thats me and my car, my car isnt a "oh ill just hop in and go to work and shut it off and go inside"

-----my car requires more care then a gf. hence litterally why my EX-gf left me, one of her reasons was that she says "i spend too much on my stupid car, its fast blah blah blah ***inject baby crazy family trying to put a ring on me etc etc etc***"
 
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Stolle
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