Re: ihc-digest V5 #117 EGR valve Overflow tank

[Steve Stegmann <stegmann@domain.elided>]

Andrew J.

Closing off the EGR hole with a plate & gasket may not be that simple.  
The EGR on my '79 345 is a valve body which blocks the flow from the 
exhause to the intake.  If the valve is removed and the outer hole 
covered, you will have full exhaust circulation all the time.  You really 
don't want this.  Put in an old EGR valve and don't hook up the vacuum 
line, or, design a plug for the hole which will stop the exhaust flow.  
The engine will run better without exhaust flowing into the intake.

This was done as an epa dodge to lower the combustion temp to retard 
formation of oxides of nitrogen,  you loose power as the volume filled by 
the exhause gases is subtracted from the engines effective displacement.  
Exhaust is considered to be an inert gas in this context.

An overflow tank is easy and a good idea.  It will allow you to keep your 
radiator full and enjoy the added cooling capacity of the top portion of 
the radiator.  Might be the difference between overheat or not in a hot day.

Secure a 1/2 gal bleach bottle in the engine compartment witht the top of 
the jug at the same level, or higher, as the top of the radiator cap.  
Then drill a hole in the lid big enough to accept the overflow hose from 
the radiator.  Go to the local hardware store and buy some plastic tubing 
of the same inside diameter as the overflow tube.  Stick one end onto the 
radiator overflow hose fitting.  Put the other end into the bleach 
bottle.  Make sure the hose goes all the way to the bottom of the 
bottle,  **and stays there**.  Then fill the radiator all the way to 
running out on the ground, put two inches into the bottle and put the 
radiator cap back on.  You're done.

As the engine heats and the coolant expands, fluid will be pushed into 
the bottle.  As the engine cools, coolandt will be sucked back into the 
radiator.  The radiator always stays 100% full.  After this don't open 
the radiator cap except to change, and of course after the first couple 
heat cool cycles to convince yourself it works.  A side benefit is that 
the cooling system never suckins in air and corrosion is reduced.

Steve

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Steven A. Stegmann
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