My Fugitive has a Lancia engine in it,which is naturally water cooled. When I got it,it had the radiator situated between the back of the seats and the engine but obviously high up for air flow. The rad that was in it had a filler cap on the top so filling was easy. I've now put a Mondeo rad in it's place so will presumably need a header tank, I've looked under the bonnet of a few cars and there doesn't seem to be any fixed pattern on how they plumb in though. I'm sure there must be a principle on how to do this to avoid air locks etc. Any suggestions?

100bob

when I have seen them on other fugs the header tank is above the radiator
does this help?

Cal

That's true,but the bit I wasn't sure about was where does it need to feed and how many outlets would I need in the header. Some go into the block and the bottom hose while some go to top of rad and into the bottom hose. Some have three outlets!! I'm concerned about air locks and disrupting flow. Assuming you can actually disrupt flow. Don't want to chance my physics if i'm missing the point somewhere further down the line. :(

Take a look at pics of how my fug radiator is installed in the gallery section - it hangs accross the rear of the fug - behind the engine........the header tank MUST be at the highest point of the cooling circuit, hence the name "head"......so its gotta be above the engine and above the radiator.......

its gonna look pretty stupid above your current radiator location therefore I'd advise you look at putting the radiator at a similar height to the engine - like where mine is.......also the header tank must be placed on the inlet to the water pump........this is where the lower radiator hose connects to the engine block - otherwise the pump will cavitate and coolant flow will be minimal

some people have done it, but i personally think they are playing with fire, as all the air will end up in the higherst point - in the rad - and the water will not cool - and the rest is history

when placing the rad in the back - make sure you use a electro-thermostatically controlled fan.......and make a simple ali-duct to force the air through the rad core - otherwise it will just flow around the edges and not cool the water

i've a certain look in mind,rather like the 2ltr Pinto of which there are pictures on in the gallery. I'm ok with the header tank being above the rad in it's present position as we can fabricate a header so it looks like it belongs there. It seems that if i run a secondary pipe from the top hose to the top of the header i can eliminate possible air locks. If it's wrong hopefully it'll become clear before needing another engine. Looking at the pictures of your fug i completely agree and understand why you've put your rad there, it goes with the whole look you want. I'm not going to slam mine and have even fabricated the exhaust so it's all inside the back cage. I've also altered the back slightly,shall put some pics on of it soon. Nothing drastic,just so it take the lights and number plate nicer and changes the gap a little between cage and engine. It was always a little different,just tweeked now. (mine isn't vw) If it cooks it, it'll be adaptor plate,big engine and the rad where you said.