FE Header tanks.... :(

[KevinW]

Found out the header tank fouls the hood: hood proud by 8mm.

I have a wedge in between the header tank and the Ede manifold to try and tip it forward, but it doesnt work. I have heard about low-rise header tanks (maybe made by Gessford Engineering?).

I really dont want to cut holes i the hood. I cant get the gearbox any higher (so I cant get the front of the engine any lower).

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

[gsharapa]

Pic of your tank might be helpful as they should not be setting up that high. You could always eliminate the tank and put an inline fitting/cap in the upper radiator hose. The other consideration is your motor mounts. Any shims in them that could be removed or could the holes be lowered in the frame mounting to lower your engine a bit.......

[redmt]

Easiest solution is to cut down the goose neck.

[KevinW]

Thanks for your comments (and PMs).
I'll take the wedge spacer out of the tank set up (which was meant to fix the problem!) and see how bad it is, but have no shims at all on the engine mounts - standard Ford FE. Probably going to have to cut the neck - beyond my skills set, but i do now a local hot rod welder. Hopefully he can help me. ...and then re-paint

I have never worked out how to upload pics in a post - always fails, 39kB limit seems crazy.

[LMH]

Is the hood hitting the tank itself or the cap?
Larry

[mickmate]

I section the tank bracket, shorten the elbow and reassemble them with gussets. A good radiator shop should be able to help you.

[crenbbf]

Originally Posted by KevinW

Found out the header tank fouls the hood: hood proud by 8mm.

I have a wedge in between the header tank and the Ede manifold to try and tip it forward, but it doesnt work. I have heard about low-rise header tanks (maybe made by Gessford Engineering?).

I really dont want to cut holes i the hood. I cant get the gearbox any higher (so I cant get the front of the engine any lower).

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

Hi Kev (fancy seeing you over here)

If all else fails we will be ordering from here

Port Richmond Tool / Home Page

cheers Kiel

[KevinW]

Originally Posted by LMH

Is the hood hitting the tank itself or the cap?
Larry

Some careful measurements this morning, peering through the sidevent holes and its actually the front edge of the cap hitting the hood/bonnet underside. I have just laid the hood gently on top of the hood aperture, and its proud at the front by about 8mm - the lever effect of the pivot that that the front edge of the cap produces makes it worse than it is, I think if the cap was just a few mm lower, then all would be fine.

Mick, thanks for the advice.

Need to make some more measurements. As its so close, another solution would be to cut a hole in the underside skin, to act like a Gurney bubble, kinda in reverse, as I think the 2 grp bonnet skin means its about 2cm thick where it touches the expansion tank cap.

[mickmate]

I don't think you want to be "just" clearing with engine and body panel movement. The tanks usually allow for mounting the cap at the back also. That may help you some.

[LMH]

There are also tanks that the cap is towards the center of the engine and tanks that the cap is towards the side of the engine. Usually having the cap towards the center of the car allows the most room.
Larry

[LMH]

Note how the cap is oriented to the rear and centered on the engine. Not sure if yours is like this or not but this has the most clearance.
Larry

[KevinW]

- many thanks, very useful information, hadnt thought of that. My header tank cap is set to the front and could go to the back of the tank. I reckon that would fix it.