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  • Adding a Header Tank

    I'm thinking of adding a header tank as someone said this would improve cooling. Can anyone advise the best way to go about it please and where to get one?

    The car is a 1.8B with the Viva rad.

    Cheers.


  • #2
    Re: Adding a Header Tank

    Hi Chris
    I also originally had a viva rad on my 1.8B and had overheating problems. I tried flushing etc and a supplementary electric fan but ended up fitting an Austin Maxi Rad with the result that the car now never overheats even in standing traffic. The Rad I chose has 3 cores which gives a much larger cooling surface from a rad with the similar overall dimensions. I fear that the Viva rad was only just sufficient even when new and, of course, over the years they become less efficient. A header tank would increase the volume of water in the system hence improving cooling capacity but if I were you I would try to get hold of a rad from an Austin 1800 or a Maxi with 3 or 4 rows and solve the problem once and for all. Mine cost me ?40 from a local rad reconditioner who was glad to get rid of it. Slight mods to the fixing brackets and a new convoluted top hose and away you go. Good luck.

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    • #3
      Re: Adding a Header Tank

      I did a single-core to three-core conversion using the original rad and it worked fine.

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      • #4
        Re: Adding a Header Tank

        I got a spare Viva rad away at the moment being recored (with 3 cores) and ordered a new Pacet Pro fan. Just thought I might add a header tank aswell to be sure.

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        • #5
          Re: Adding a Header Tank

          Hi Chris. I had exactly the same setup as you, which overheated terribly in hot weather. Recored the viva rad with 3 cores, fitted expansion tank from car buider solutions (www.nfautos.co.uk). Fitted manual over-ride switch to fan. Problem solved, drove all through the heat of last summer didn't overheat at all.

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          • #6
            Re: Adding a Header Tank

            Hopefully it will fix it for me too. Which hoses did you plumb in the tank in between?

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            • #7
              Re: Adding a Header Tank

              I fitted mine to the overflow at the rad filler neck so it only operates as a catch tank. It might be worth mentioning that whenI bought my car the electric fan was not fitted directly to the rad core, but to the inside of the rad grill! obviously I have now rectified this and also taken Ben Caswells advise to block any gaps around the rad so that air can only go through. Sorry if thats to obvious to mention.

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