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Header tank plumbing - choose one!

02GF74 - 13/4/10 at 07:58 PM

I have at least 3 ways of plumbing the raditor bleed to the header tank, as shown in following (wait until I have posted all 3 options!!)

option 1 - route pipe along radiator then over the spark plugs, trying to keep pipe away from the exhaust.
Rescued attachment version1.jpg

02GF74 - 13/4/10 at 08:01 PM

option 2 - take hose diagonally over te rocker cover - uses 1 less joiner plus and shortest hose
Rescued attachment version2.jpg

02GF74 - 13/4/10 at 08:02 PM

option 3 - takes hose over the carbs.

I kinda like 1 and 3 due to nice lines nad probably 3 since the hose will be supported by the carbs; I cannot forsee the hose being so close to the carbs posing any problem.

So whadday reckon?
Rescued attachment version3.jpg

55ant - 13/4/10 at 08:04 PM

i have the same layout as n.1, not had any problems with heat from the exhasut.

Confused but excited. - 13/4/10 at 08:05 PM

I personally think 3 looks the more elegant solution.
No 1 would look better if you had a straight piece of ali tube where it goes across the exhaust.

[Edited on 13/4/10 by Confused but excited.]

blakep82 - 13/4/10 at 08:06 PM

i would probably just go number 2. as long as the middle of the pipe is not the highest bit

jacko - 13/4/10 at 08:07 PM

No 3 looks good

speedyxjs - 13/4/10 at 08:08 PM

I think number 3 looks best.

02GF74 - 13/4/10 at 08:10 PM

ooooh, level peggings at the mo.

The joiners will be 10 mm aluminiium tube from B&Q - just need to figure out how to put flares on (thinking a couple wraps of aluminum MIG wire then lumiwelded on).

The aluminium will pass the heat from the exhaust - it gets rather hot in that area to the water - not sure I like the sound of that.

40inches - 13/4/10 at 08:11 PM

No3 for me

blakep82 - 13/4/10 at 08:12 PM

number 3 looks to me like its just resting on the carb/filters and brake resevior, which i don't like tbh.

if you want to avoid the exhaust, what about, like option 1, but fixing it down the carb side of the rocker cover?

40inches - 13/4/10 at 08:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74

The joiners will be 10 mm aluminiium tube from B&Q - just need to figure out how to put flares on

A pair of Oyster pliers from B@Q.
Check this thread

[Edited on 13-4-10 by 40inches]

balidey - 13/4/10 at 08:20 PM

No 3

RichardK - 13/4/10 at 08:29 PM

SPYDER - 13/4/10 at 08:29 PM

Another vote for #3.
Just as an aside. Every bit of water that flows through the breather tube will bypass the radiator matrix and not get cooled. This could amount to a fair bit given the bore of the tube you are using.
Consider some form of flow restrictor in the breather tube, maybe?
I'm not 10% au fait with crossflows though, I may be over-reacting.
When the thermostat is closed, is there any flow at all through the system?

Geoff.

02GF74 - 13/4/10 at 08:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
number 3 looks to me like its just resting on the carb/filters and brake resevior, which i don't like tbh.

may look like it but deffo not resting on the reservoir.

no matter how I plumb it, it will be resting on the engine so there will be some movement or a long unsupported run - not sure if that is pissible unless I use an aluminiuim tube.

02GF74 - 13/4/10 at 08:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SPYDER
Another vote for #3.
Just as an aside. Every bit of water that flows through the breather tube will bypass the radiator matrix and not get cooled. This could amount to a fair bit given the bore of the tube you are using.
Consider some form of flow restrictor in the breather tube, maybe?
I'm not 10% au fait with crossflows though, I may be over-reacting.
When the thermostat is closed, is there any flow at all through the system?

yes - there is a take off from the water pump - you can see it below the "breather" tube that then goes to the manifold and there is a T that goes to bottom of header tank.

there is potential for coolant to go from the T piece into the tank but the iar in the tank should prevent it leaving the tank and going into the radiator breather.

blakep82 - 13/4/10 at 08:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
number 3 looks to me like its just resting on the carb/filters and brake resevior, which i don't like tbh.

may look like it but deffo not resting on the reservoir.

no matter how I plumb it, it will be resting on the engine so there will be some movement or a long unsupported run - not sure if that is pissible unless I use an aluminiuim tube.

if you run it down the carb side of the rocker cover, you can use the two rocket cover bolts with P-clips to secure it

tul214 - 13/4/10 at 09:04 PM

What about moving the header tank to the front like Caterham do?

speedyxjs - 14/4/10 at 06:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches

quote:
Originally posted by 02GF74

The joiners will be 10 mm aluminiium tube from B&Q - just need to figure out how to put flares on

A pair of Oyster pliers from B@Q.
Check this thread

[Edited on 13-4-10 by 40inches]

X2. There is also a cool vid on youtube of mango demonstrating it

02GF74 - 14/4/10 at 06:36 AM

quote:
Originally posted by tul214
What about moving the header tank to the front like Caterham do?

1/2 wondered about that but the min mark on the header must be above the highest part of the cooling system which is the radiator and here is not enough rooom under the bonnet or nosecone to have it too far forawards.

I wouldn't like to mount it above the exhuast nor alternator so only spot is close to the coil and I don't think I have the room heightwise there.

Will have a look tonighty.

nick205 - 14/4/10 at 08:37 AM

I'm going to stick my neck out and go with no. 2, but with a slight mod.

Run the hose down the intake side of the rocker cover (not over the top) and fabricate some ally brackets and rubber lined P clips to support the pipe of the rocker cover or inlet fixings.

Keeps the hose away from the carbs and exhaust and if done carefully could look like an OEM type installation