Coolant Tank Replacement

[Coolexperts]

Hi all,

I have been taken a back by the demand for the new header tank. We are waiting on a delivery of threaded filler necks this week and as long as these arrive on time I will be at Donington with a shed load of header tanks. I will also have some race quality header tanks with a standard billet neck and a 20lb stainless steel pressure cap with a pressure relief lever fitted. This version will be £200 to forum members. I will post the progress of manufacture on Monday or Tuesday and look forward to seeing you all at Donington.

Regards

Steve

[Coolexperts]

Hello Jim, is that a Lambo 200, Happy days, Brighton memories!! What day will you be at Donington? Saturday, Sunday or both days. I have 2 header tanks reserved for you. We also have available now A race quality header tank with a standard billet neck and a 20 lb stainless steel pressure cap with a pressure relief lever. The cost to forum members is £200 plus £10 shipping.

Look forward to meeting next weekend

Regards

Steve

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Does the race quality tank have the sight glass?

[Coolexperts]

High John C,

I can confirm that the race quality header tank does have a sight glass at £200.

Regards

Steve

[muley]

Hello Jim, is that a Lambo 200, Happy days, Brighton memories!! What day will you be at Donington? Saturday, Sunday or both days. I have 2 header tanks reserved for you. We also have available now A race quality header tank with a standard billet neck and a 20 lb stainless steel pressure cap with a pressure relief lever. The cost to forum members is £200 plus £10 shipping.

Look forward to meeting next weekend

Regards

Steve

Steve

Thanks - yes, that my friend Chris' Lambo GT200. I'll take one regular tank with sight glass and I think Dave Pink is up for another.

See you on Saturday.

Rgds

Jim

[dapinky]

I'll take one regular tank with sight glass and I think Dave Pink is up for another.

Yep - certainly am.


Steve, I'll be there on Saturday and Sunday, so whatever day suits you best

[Coolexperts]

A big thanks again Woody for letting us use your engine bay to get the header tank design spot on. I hope you are pleased with your new header tank and radiator. I have checked your enquiry and to etch prime your radiator and paint it black will cost £15 forum members price. Thanks again and see you at Donington on Saturday.

Regards

Steve

[superbad]

Just got another one today- this one is made by Vema (p/n 16380). Looks stouter than the ones we have been getting. Hard to say for sure, but appears to be a single piece molding- it doesn't have an obvious bond line between the upper and lower sections. Seems thicker too. I'll let everyone know if it explodes. Came from here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120964805362?ss ... 1439.l2649

[steve matthews]

Good link, however I think I'm done with the plastic tanks.
Have already spent the equivalent to the Aluminum now being offered.

Steve

[superbad]

I don't blame you.

[Coolexperts]

Hello All,

A quick note for all those going to Donington this week end, I was unable to get an exhibitors stand but have been able to get 2 tables in the auto jumble section against the back wall. We will be displaying most of our Lotus products especially the new M100 aluminium header tanks and radiators. We are trying to get some built to sell on the stand but are concentrating on the ones that have been sold to members who have PM us and ordered product. We will have some items and be happy to sell them to anyone who would like one (I must hasten to add not at auto jumble prices) I am trying to have ready some new polished aluminium caps to fit the standard header tank in place of the standard plastic pressure cap. The polished aluminium caps will accept the pressure and vacuum device fitted in the standard plastic cap.
I look forward to meeting you over the weekend. I might be called upon to give a talk on radiators and cooling systems but the stand will be manned at all times.

Regards

Steve

[Coolexperts]

Hi Woody,

We have etch primed a radiator and painted it black for you and will have it on the stand at the Lotus show. If you bring you new radiator to the stand I will swap it for the painted one and buy you a drink.

See you there,

Regards

Steve.

[Coolexperts]

Hello All,

For our friends over the pond in the U.S.A. assuming £1.00 = $1.50 less sales tax and including export paperwork:

All Aluminium radiator £185.00 about $278.00

Header tank with threaded pressure cap neck and sight glass £160.00 about $240.00
Header tank with standard billet pressure cap neck, new stainless steel cap and sight glass £175.00 about $263.00

Shipping to U.S.A. for radiator and header tank combined, with full insurance £90.00 about $135.00

Radiator and screw top header tank with sight glass £435.00 about $653.00

[Fourdoorcat]

I joined the coolant tank club, but my failure was at the smaller junction on the top of the tank. I attempted to source one from Dave Bean, but they no longer carry them. Removed the tank and made a trip to my favorite parts store (Allied Auto Parts, Fremont CA), told the guy behind the counter that there was no chance he had one but might he suggest something "similar".

He commented that it looked quite like the tank in his 1993 Saturn SC Coupe. I had him open a box, saw them side by side and decided I could make it work.

It took a little bit of modification to the tank and fabrication of a bracket. Not difficult work but simply several hours worth. The final result is "reversable" and looks like this:

If anyone wants more detail about this, let me know and I'll post it.

Ken

[steve matthews]

good job

[Fourdoorcat]

Thanks, Steve. I was impressed by the design of the tank. It has a great deal of internal, structural members that should give it strength where the Lotus tank did not. Also, looking at the Lotus tank, there appears to be what is called a weld line right in that area where folks have reported failure. I did attempt a repair of the original tank, which probably was successful. But the new tank seems to be the better option. For those who are interested: it is a Dorman 603-121.

Ken

[superbad]

After a month of running, the Vema tank is holding up great.

vematank.JPG

Just got another one today- this one is made by Vema (p/n 16380). Looks stouter than the ones we have been getting. Hard to say for sure, but appears to be a single piece molding- it doesn't have an obvious bond line between the upper and lower sections. Seems thicker too. I'll let everyone know if it explodes. Came from here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120964805362?ss ... 1439.l2649

[madbilly]

Okay, I know this has probably been done to death but of these two on ebay who's had what experience with what?
LMF Vauxhall
vauxhallpartsuk

If they're both known to have failed then I needn't get one!
Cheers,
Will

[Brit-Car-Nut]

I purchased around 10 over the last few years and as soon as I got them, others needed them and I passed them on. Nobody has complained except for DBE who got one recently and sold it only to have the buyer say it blew up immediately.

I am still convinced the tanks are fine but if there is a problem with head gaskets, cracks or bad pressure caps, then nothing will stand up.

I picked up 10 more last time I was in the UK (and let Graham have one for my cost) but I don't dare sell any others since I have no warranty recourse if a tank fails.

One of these days, I will run a proper pressure test on one and see what I need to do to blow one up.

BTW, both eBay links are for the same company.

[Fourdoorcat]

When doing my conversion, I noted that the hose connecting to the bottom of the tank is a little dodgy. Probably silly to ask but: are there any replacements available for this hose? I guess I am asking for NOS (new old stock) parts.

Ken