Coolant recovery system

[jft70]

Hello. I have a 1970 challenger 383 auto, with 2998960 22" radiator. 16 lbs rad cap. When I drive the car it runs great not even close to overheating. But when I turn the car off it heats up obviously and spill out of the radiator neck nipple. Do I need a coolant recovery system like the 73 74 challenger had? If so I'll get one, and whats the correct radiator cap to use with the 73 74 recovery system? I heard they need to be a two way cap...

Thanks, any help would be great

 

[Steve340]

You may already have a recovery cap. Plenty of info on the internet.
Recovery bottle and the correct cap and it will work. It is a good idea to fit this system.

 

[moparlee]

First check your coolant level. It may be too high.

 

[jft70]

2 questions...
1. how do I identify a radiator cap if it's a correct recovery cap?
2. how high should I fill radiator up?

 

[Steve340]

A recovery cap has a little flap valve right in the middle at the bottom of the cap were the water is.
You can pull it up with your finger nail.
A non recovery cap won't have this. The additional valve is the only difference between the two styles of cap.
Run the water level around 1 inch down from the cap is a start. If it still pushes water out it may have another issue.

 

[Xcudame]

For cars before the coolant recovery system was added you just didn't top off the radiator when cold. You'd leave about an inch from the top for expansion. Because if you filled it all the way, you'd have exactly what you got, warm water flowing out. Personally, I added a coolant recovery tank and cap to my 70 Challenger. It's hidden behind the grill by the driver side high beam.

 

[moparlee]

Does your cap look like this? If you can pick up that center brass piece like Steve said your good to go.

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

I had the same issue on my 72 Challenger 440 with 26" radiator. Got a Mr Gasket tank from Summit (mrg-9135), a 3/8" hose (OPG-CH28757) and a 16# coolant recovery cap from O'Reilly Auto (Murray 7616). Works great.