Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

See also my review on the Hawks windshield washer bottle.

Summary:

I installed this on my 35k mile 1987 IROC which to my knowledge is very original and accident free. This coolant overflow bottle is a decent approximation of the original part that would look fine to the casual observer and overall adds a nice clean appearance to the engine bay. This part may not be ideal for a concours high level restoration and may be noted by experts as incorrect vs OEM parts upon close inspection. The cap is a very close match to original which under expert scrutiny might be notable as aftermarket but it would be difficult to discern ... there is one possible exception I am unsure of, see footnote** in below pics.


I ordered the Hawks replacement bottle w/cap p/n:HT14070997. Here are my observations.

Comparing the bottles side by side the new one is very close in design to the OE part. The mounting provisions are slightly different. The lower mounting tab was at a slightly different angle to the bottle than that of the OE part. This added a challenge to install as the fasteners are the plastic barrel inserts that the barrel halves splay apart when the plastic screw is threaded into the insert. This meant the insert needed to be pressed on enough to bend the tab inward toward the inner fender for the insert to seat properly and allow the screw through. Regardless of the angle, there was also some mounting hole misalignment that partly due to the new bottle's mounting holes being a smaller diameter than the OE bottle.. The bending of the lower tab to compensate for the slight angle also put the holes slightly more misaligned. This was mitigated a bit by installing this lower side first and the upper mount second. A small round file was used elongate both holes a good amount, up to 1/4" each, which also helped with the install.

The font for level marking was a reasonably good match though some other data differed and the underscore marks were not the same length/position; close, but not identical.








On the rear of the bottle - the side that mounts on the inner fender had in a couple of spots a very small raised point that I expect was an artifact of the molding process, such as in injection point or flashing. I only mention this as a tiny raised point could wear through the inner fender paint over time. Easily removed with a file.


The spigot for attaching the hose from the rad was comparably sized to the OE part and did come with a brass insert much like the OE part. The OE hose fit well enough. The hose clamp at the bottle, which I am uncertain if it is OE or not, was a single use crimp type. I used a flat blade precision screw driver and some carefully applied brute force and ignorance to ever so slightly expand the clamp and release the hose from the OE bottle. I was then able to, with some effort, install the hose on the new bottle and squeeze the crimp slightly.





Apologies, I forgot to take a pic of dealing with the single use crimp clamp removal - though it is pictured above, right side. Keen observers may note the bolt in the hose - this was was just an anti spill effort during removal of the OE bottle. The rad side of the hose had a hardware store gear clamp in place which I presume to not be original. The hose had some deformation here, I suspect the material is tired from heat cycling and the PO likely added this clamp due to leakage or blowing off. I will replace the hose, but in the interim I used a black pinch type clamp seen on some fuel lines as I thought it had a better appearance than the gear clamp. I will replace the hose eventually.

Can anyone comment on what the hose clamp looked like at the rad or if there was one from the factory? Thanks!


The cap appeared to be an excellent reproduction - with the assumption that my cap was original. I have compared my cap to a doorman replacement in a parts store and while the caps were extremely similar, the font lettering of the doorman part was much thinner and the white paint was very poor. The Hawks part in comparison was a direct match to the part on my car from all views. I even disassembled the insert and gasket and found no discernible differences. Cap fitment was snug and confident just like the original. I would recommend the cap. If my original cap is not OE please someone let me know!!

** The one thing I am really unsure of - the original cap had no white lettering and the new cap did - i am presuming that the white lettering had worn off with time and heat. Please someone let me know if the original cap should not have white lettering.








Overall I am happy with the install.


All done!

midias

Nice I hope it works well for you. Mine cracked right above the hose fitting about 3 months in had to patch it.

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Oh that’s crappy! Did you contact the vendor? Here’s hoping for better luck. :/

gt4373

My Car Came From The Factory With Wormgear Clamps On Both Ends Of The Hose.

GASPEDDLER

iTrader: (2)

pics of my 89's cap and clamps

Bow_Tied

iTrader: (1)

Thanks GT! Thanks Arnold! It would appear that the factory used the gear clamps after all, good to know. Mine looks exactly like the pics Arnold posted for the hose/clamps and the cap except with less paint on the cap letters lol.