Combining header & expansion tanks?

[Transmitter Man]

I'm aware they each have their job to do but I'm wondering if anyone has combined the two in any way or form?

I want something nice and shiny to take the place of the stock plastic!

Phil
420 SEAC

[Wedg1e]

The expansion tank IS the header tank as far I understand it; the overflow tank however is a TVR lash-up, I presume that's what you mean? Can't see how you'd do a 2-in-1 as one's pressurised and the other not...

[Transmitter Man]

Ian,

P.171 on the right: http://www.nfauto.co.uk/download/catalogue.pdf

Hi Henry,

I totally forgot you have a single tank which seems to serve it's purpose/s well.

See you soon.

Phil
420 SEAC

[Wedg1e]

Transmitter Man said:

Ian,

P.171 on the right: http://www.nfauto.co.uk/download/catalogue.pdf

Yeah, looks like a standard expansion tank design to me...? What happens when it overflows?

[Transmitter Man]

All I can imagine is that you have an expansion tank with enough capacity to take into consideration the min to max level of coolant from stone cold to super hot.

Does that make sense.

My two other cars, one older, one newer do not have two water tanks aside from the main radiator.

Only TVR comes up with these great ideas!

Phil
420 SEAC

[Wedg1e]

Transmitter Man said:

All I can imagine is that you have an expansion tank with enough capacity to take into consideration the min to max level of coolant from stone cold to super hot.

Does that make sense.

My two other cars, one older, one newer do not have two water tanks aside from the main radiator.

Only TVR comes up with these great ideas!

Phil
420 SEAC

Don't follow you Phil, sealed systems are supposed to work like that... one tank. For some reason the RV8 (as used by TVR) seems to build up a head of pressure that exceeds the cap rating causing coolant loss. The square overflow tank catches that and allows the expansion tank cap to draw it back in as the coolant cools down - saves constantly having to top-up the system, but why it's not a problem in other RV8 applications I don't know: I was talking to a few Morgan +8 owners last weekend and they don't have an extra tank, nor do they lose coolant.
The tank on my car, as most Wedges, is the ex-Capri V6 unit. Whether simply fitting a bigger tank would cure the problem, as in theory it ought to), perhaps depends more on the apace available at the highest point of the engine bay!

Of course if you don't have an expansion tank to start with then fitting one could be a good plan, but you'd need the tank and pipe run to be above the radiator or it'd just suck air back in...

[Transmitter Man]

Henry has just a single ali tank in the same place as the original two so it's at the highest point in the cooling system.

I believe it was originally an oil catch tank!

I think it's all pressurised from here on down.

Henry, if you'#re around maybe you can take a photo?

I'll look into the Morgan routing and try duplicating it.

I'm in touch with someone at Bailey Motorsport and was looking to have a single, high capacity ali tank with pressure cap, made to measure.

Scroll down a way: http://www.baileymotorsport.co.uk/images/Bailey_Mo...

Phil
420 SEAC

[Henry Harris]

Expansion tank on left-hand side next to coil, with pressure cap. Extra pressure cap on hose just next to air cleaner.

The expansion tank was orginally a tube with a screw top.. Now replaced with a bespoke unit.. All down to the previous owner and his pimping meddling with things that just did not work. I say, leave it to the experts, which I have done.

Please shout if anyone requires more details. Otherwise, guided tours give at BBWF.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

The Later V8 cars only have an expansion tank.
I'm also only running an expansion Tank from a Griff on the Racer.

[adam quantrill]

Yes it does seem to be a phenomenon of the Wedge installation. A "catch tank" is indeed quite useful to limit coolant loss and also provide automatic top-up capabilities without disturbing the pressure cap too often.

I must say that on the 350i, after I put composite gaskets on, there was so little coolant loss I deleted the catch tank that I had set up. I suspect that many wedges have small head gasket leaks which introduce gas to the coolant leading to the odd burp of fluid.

[Transmitter Man]

Adam,

Who sells composite gaskets?

I image they're available with different size holes or is it just a different stroke that produced 3.5-5.0?

Phil
420 SEAC

[adam quantrill]

Famous Four at 6 quid each

http://www.famousfour.co.uk/new_parts/parts-veh-se...

RPI do them. And Rimmer's:

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID010797

3.5's are smaller bore, 3.9's and larger are bigger bore.

[Transmitter Man]

Many thanks Adam.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

I would only use the Elring OEM ones I know they are twice the price but still only £12 each.
But some-things are best not done at a budget, esp with the time / labour costs to change.

[Transmitter Man]

Thanks guys.

I'm inclined to go the expensive route.

Interesting if you click on their 'Info' link: http://www.elringparts.co.uk/

No doubt referring to Chinese copies

Have mailed them.

Phil
420 SEAC

[Transmitter Man]

Leigh,

Instant response from Elring;

"We haven't got anything listed for this engine but you could try a company called TVR Supplies.

There in Gloucestershire and the telephone number is 01594516857 I think you need to ask for Mike.

I hope this helps!!!

Kind regards

Mark Vinton"

Do you buy yours from TVR supplies?

Phil

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Rimmers do them
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-LVB500030P1

[Transmitter Man]

Thanks Leigh.

I'll order - but they have the year wrong as mine's an 88!

Phil
420 SEAC

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Transmitter Man said:

Thanks Leigh.

I'll order - but they have the year wrong as mine's an 88!

Phil
420 SEAC

As long as you have 94mm bores, then they will be ok.
they just don't have the holes for the extra set of bolts, but they should not really be used

[Wedg1e]

TVRleigh_BBWR said:

Transmitter Man said:

Thanks Leigh.

I'll order - but they have the year wrong as mine's an 88!

Phil
420 SEAC

As long as you have 94mm bores, then they will be ok.
they just don't have the holes for the extra set of bolts, but they should not really be used

IMHO there's nothing wrong with using the outer row of bolts as long as everything's torqued correctly... the main two rows are a higher setting so the outer row should not 'pull' on the head. Rebuilt my engine in '01 with all head bolts fitted, composite gaskets, no issues so far (17000 miles on...).