1953 Radiator Expansion Tank

[Jim P.]

For many moons I have thought that if the top of the chrome plated brass radiator expansion tank was smooth, so was the bottom. Also, I thought that if the top was banded, so was the bottom. Am I right in my thinking? This line of thought has had me perplexed for many moons about the pictured tank. Is this fairly common to have the smooth top and the banded bottom? Is there a certain serial # range that this tank would fit in? BTW I bought this from one of the NCRS Founding Fathers. I took some black and white photos at the 1st meet and I believe this tank to be the one pictured in one of the photos of his parts for sale.

[Brett H.]

Re: 1953 Radiator Expansion Tank

It's not what is typical of the smooth top tanks but could be a factory unit. I have never seen a 53-early 54 tank with bands on the bottom but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.

The 54 tanks can be meade to look like 53-early 54 style by filling the bands. Perhaps someone took the easy way out while modifying a later 54 tank.

[Jim P.]

Re: 1953 Radiator Expansion Tank

I looked inside the tank with a light last night and the top bands have NOT been filled, it never had top bands, just the bottom. You have to remember that I bought this tank in 1974 and I doubt anyone even thought of altering one, most people wouldn't have even known some had bands and others didn't. One thing I know, if I went arount saying it was a one-of-a-kind about a dozen more would show up. I put the picture on to see if anyone else had seen one like it, appearantly not. I'll put this tank in the "rare" category.

[Brett H.]

Re: 1953 Radiator Expansion Tank

Neat stuff! Thanks for posting.

Brett