Coolant reservoir questions

[Mikey Likes It]

What year did the Z first get these? I have a 72 and I know they didn't come like that from the factory. It has had a new radiator put in sometime during it's lifetime by the previous (first) owner. Why would they add the reservoir?

Reason I'm asking is they added it above the engine compartment VIN tag and over time the movement of the bottle during driving has worn alot of the paint off the tag and I'd like to keep that problem from getting worse by removing the bottle.

This may be a strange question but how much has this hurt the value of my Z? The numbers are still readable because they're etched on but the VIN tag is by no means pristine anymore nor is the Z's engine original by having this reservoir, which is where I'd like mine to be eventually.

[Bambikiller240]

73 240Z's had the reservoir bottle. (at least my 3/73 mfg'd had one)

Why would a P.O. add one? Same reason the factory added them in 73. To be a "sealed system" where the radiator is always full and overflow doesn't get puked onto the ground. It gets saved in the reservoir bottle.

If you race your car on a track ( and/or most autocrosses) you are required to have an overflow bottle or you don't run.

Why not just move the bottle? Many people put them in front of the radiator support off to one side or the other. It's not like it hurts anything (except the environment when it's not there and your coolant leaks out. Just a thought.

[GunnerRob]

My full factory optioned, California sold 280z didn't come with an overflow tank. I bought one from MSA 5 years ago and mounted it on the front side of the radiator support on the passenger side. It is definately worth having from both an environmental and mechanical systems standpoint.

[Bambikiller240]

I am really surprised at that. Are you the original owner, Rob?

I also had a 1971 Ford Pimple (er, Pinto) that had a overflow bottle.

[GunnerRob]

I am really surprised at that. Are you the original owner, Rob?

I also had a 1971 Ford Pimple (er, Pinto) that had a overflow bottle.

My dad bought the Z new from the dealer and I inherited it in 1990. I'm sure he hadn't removed an overflow tank due to the fact that he didn't mention doing it to me and had no reason to remove it. He and I were very close, especially when it came to our experiences with our Z cars (I had a '78 280z at the time). Also, with him being a piping systems engineer and my being a piping systems designer and working together at different times, we always bounced ideas off each other concerning designs. He believed components are there for a reason and was very reluctant to modify a system unless it could be proven to be an improvement. He still had the original AM/FM 8 track stereo when he passed away!

[Zedrally]

This is another Datsun quirk.

My 78 260, brought new didn't have one, nor have I seen any on any other classic zeds in Australia!

MOM

[Bambikiller240]

......... He still had the original AM/FM 8 track stereo when he passed away!

Wow! I still have some 8 track tapes, but no player. (not looking for one either) Some day they will go on eBay, but not for a while (it would take a while to find them).

[abas]

What year did the Z first get these? I have a 72 and I know they didn't come like that from the factory. It has had a new radiator put in sometime during it's lifetime by the previous (first) owner. Why would they add the reservoir?

Reason I'm asking is they added it above the engine compartment VIN tag and over time the movement of the bottle during driving has worn alot of the paint off the tag and I'd like to keep that problem from getting worse by removing the bottle.

This may be a strange question but how much has this hurt the value of my Z? The numbers are still readable because they're etched on but the VIN tag is by no means pristine anymore nor is the Z's engine original by having this reservoir, which is where I'd like mine to be eventually.

My 1970 ex-california car has one and its looks like it has been there since new. It too has rubbed off some of the paint on the vin plate but not too much. As they were not fitted on the UK cars I am not intending to refit mine.

If you want to get a new vin plate you can get one from banzai motorworks

http://www.zzxdatsun.com/decals.html

Andrew

[sblake01]

......He believed components are there for a reason and was very reluctant to modify a system unless it could be proven to be an improvement..........

Your father was evidentally a very astute man.

[GunnerRob]

Your father was evidentally a very astute man.

Yes, he was Stephen. Even to the point of suggesting I buy any Z as soon as possible (he prefered the 280z mainly because of it's fuel injection). And that was something he didn't do directly very often. Man, I sure miss spending time with him.

[Red-Eye]

It's interesting to me that the 240Z didn't have the overflow bottle, cause both my 67 Roadsters have medal pressurized overflow catch cans...Robert

[mlc240z]

Yes, he was Stephen. Even to the point of suggesting I buy any Z as soon as possible (he prefered the 280z mainly because of it's fuel injection). And that was something he didn't do directly very often. Man, I sure miss spending time with him.

lost mine in 1995, i definitely agree. he wasn't a racer but i know he would have gotten a MAJOR kick out of the Z.