Help on my vocabulary.....

[Patriq Backlund]

Hi all !

Forgive my ignorance - but I need to know if the header tank i need from the Beta is the tank for coolant that is connected to the radiator ?

It is more know as an expansion bowl, roughly translated, in Sweden. (if I've guess correctly)

[mudhut]

Yes Patriq, you are correct.

There is more than one header tank shape though. The "correct" one is approximately rectangular (looking down on it) with brackets on one side to fix it to a vertical surface such as a chassis tube. Take a look at this thread (http://www.stratossupersite.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2250).

These header tanks are quite rare and are known to fail at the seam, break at the brackets and corrode around the metal liner to the filler neck (which on mine is steel but I've seen some made of brass). They turn up on eBay sometimes - the last one I know of was in the USA and was new.

I think I still have one of these that I decided not to use (was not sure about the corrosion at the neck). I have not tested it but I'll send it to you if you would like it. Will take some pics of the beta header tank (I've used the pear-shaped one from a coupe) and post them here. I think I also have a new Dedra tank that might be suitable. I'll have to search a bit for these bits so may take a bit of time when it's stopped raining!

[mudhut]

I'm sure there was a post after mine above :confused: Wasn't it you Matt?

Patriq I should add that the tank from an X1/9 is pretty good. There's a plastic one (from 1500) and also a stainless steel one (from earlier 1300). It's quite big but several replicas use it. If you want one of these, try here (http://www.cascu.co.uk/Start.htm).

[Patriq Backlund]

Thanks for you offer !
I might be interrested. But on the other, if it so as I expected - maybe almost anyone would do ?
I have some from some different models of Alfa Romeos I've scrapped.
(or maybe even from the 164 donor I have.... ?)

[mudhut]

Yes - any header tank will do provided it is big enough to allow for the expansion of the large volume of water in a Stratos.

The Alfa header tank has been known to split but is quite cheap to buy. The best choice of tank is one that mounts easily and has connections pointing in the easist directions. Looking at them, I found most of them had mounting flanges that were at odd angles.