small surge tank hose

[62Tbird]

Hey, are these cars suppose to have a separate expansion tank? I have a small rubber hose attached to the filler neck port but it does not attach to anything else. It is just open to the ground on the other end. I checked the shop manual as well as pics online and cannot figure it out. Thanks for the help.

[Alan H. Tast]

No. What you're asking about is the overflow drain tube. When pressure builds up enough to lift the spring-loaded sealing disc on the underside of the radiator cap, coolant will flow through the overflow tube and onto the ground. Recovery tanks didn't start showing up until after 1966 from the factory (I'm not sure of the exact timeframe they started being used on T-birds as I don't have that committed to memory - yet). The original hose was a thin-wall design that had ribbing running its length to help ID its size. Most people use readily-available fuel line hose or vacuum hose that will fit the pipe - these have a thicker sidewall than the original hose, which didn't need to be pressurized or hold vacuum, but correct reproductions are out there - Jim Wulf can chime in on this better than I can, though I need to get several feet of it for my '63s.

[62Tbird]

Thanks so much, I still have a lot to learn about these generation cars.

[Jim Wulf]

No. What you're asking about is the overflow drain tube. When pressure builds up enough to lift the spring-loaded sealing disc on the underside of the radiator cap, coolant will flow through the overflow tube and onto the ground. Recovery tanks didn't start showing up until after 1966 from the factory (I'm not sure of the exact timeframe they started being used on T-birds as I don't have that committed to memory - yet). The original hose was a thin-wall design that had ribbing running its length to help ID its size. Most people use readily-available fuel line hose or vacuum hose that will fit the pipe - these have a thicker sidewall than the original hose, which didn't need to be pressurized or hold vacuum, but correct reproductions are out there - Jim Wulf can chime in on this better than I can, though I need to get several feet of it for my '63s.

The thin wall, three ribbed hose Alan references is available from GM parts suppliers for about $9.00 for three feet and it's what I use. More than ample for one car.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1964-72-GM-Car ... SwtJZXVjLY

There is another supplier that sells ribbed overflow hose supposedly for Fords for $20.00 for three feet. Same exact hose, you pick.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ford-Radia ... SwMrZckPDC

[saenzm]

So timely, i just came across this same hose replacement task on my to-do list. I found one at Mac's for $5.99 (3 feet). It's in the Mustang section, Part #: 44-366342-1


https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_must ... -1979.html?

[Alan H. Tast]

So timely, i just came across this same hose replacement task on my to-do list. I found one at Mac's for $5.99 (3 feet). It's in the Mustang section, Part #: 44-366342-1


https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_must ... -1979.html?

Mac's is a supporter of VTCI by advertising in our magazine, "Thunderbird Scoop." Do be aware that shipping and handling charges for a small order like just the hose may be a bit pricey, so I suggest looking to see if there are other items you need to order so as to keep the S&H charges within reason.

[saenzm]

Alan, thanks for the tip. Looks like it's time to beef up that shopping cart!

[ICON 1956]

So timely, i just came across this same hose replacement task on my to-do list. I found one at Mac's for $5.99 (3 feet). It's in the Mustang section, Part #: 44-366342-1


https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_must ... -1979.html?

Mac's is a supporter of VTCI by advertising in our magazine, "Thunderbird Scoop." Do be aware that shipping and handling charges for a small order like just the hose may be a bit pricey, so I suggest looking to see if there are other items you need to order so as to keep the S&H charges within reason.

Wise advise Alan, I have been there and done that too !