This was covered in February 2010 and if you go that thread (http://forum.bacrallies.com/m-1265574499/) you will find that the Ford part number is listed there. You will also find a tip that may save you the trouble of having another surge tank failure.

Gerald

My tank is chaulky and crumbling, even getting thin in spots.  Did I read on a old post somewhere that someone had one made of brass?  Why are these plastic in the first place?  Would brass be some impact on the 50/50 coolant?
Keith

The tanks are made from plastic because of only three reasons. First it is cheaper to make a plastic tank than a brass tank, especially in the high volume of tanks that automobile manufactures make. Second it weighs less. And last you can tell the coolant level in the tank without removing the cap, although this feature is hard to use on the Ford tank on Beavers because they are mounted in the opposite direction that Ford intended and the "site-glass" area is facing the engine.

Since it is much cheaper for motorhome manufactures to buy off the shelve automotive parts than to design and build custom parts, we get automotive parts like some switches, relays, and surge tanks.

Coolant does not cause a problem with brass since brass has been used in radiators for years, and it is still the top choice for heavy duty radiators.

Gerald

Gerald,

I had reread your earlier post regarding the tank from the thread you provided. It led me to finally remember to go get a 7lb cap to replace my 13lb cap which I did this AM. Thanks for that post and all the other good info that you pass along. Sometimes we need a reminder....

I may try and solder up a brass tank this winter. FYI the radiator cap receiver, that fits the current cap, can be ordered from Aqua Hot . I had soldered a new one on my Aqua Hot last winter. The rest of the components should be fairly easy to come by if anyone else gets interested.

Thanks Ed

GERALD, when we're on the road, we can't always refer to a previous posting on the forum.
2nd I had no reason as a new owner to go searching through the previous posts to find something I wasn't expecting.

That's why I mentioned that you "old salts" probably knew all about this and that my message was simply for the newer owners to beware of before they were stranded with an overheat problem.

And as I'm sure you will post in the future that whatever we mention today, has already been discussed in a previous posting by the old timers, I guess what I'm attempting to understand, DO YOU NOT WANT US TO POST ANY PROBLEMS WE ENCOUNTER AND JUST READ THE PREVIOUS POSTS WHEN WE GET HOME?

I apologize for the wasted post and won't let happen again.

I'm not sure I understand this, given the original post seems to have vanished.   With the possible exception of a few dumb questions or long diatribes that I've posted  , I think all posts are welcome here, especially ones like yours that, as I recall it, was intended as an alert to a potential problem.

We have all been "newbies" to any forums we join, and can understand the reasons for posting questions to a group without rambling through FAQs or spending time searching old threads.  If old subjects weren't refreshed now and then, the new members would have an unnecessarily diminished pallet of knowledge to draw from.  But often it is simply more efficient to post a reference/link to an older thread so one doesn't have to rewrite contact info. or details already contained there.

I don't think anyone considered your post wasted.  And you shouldn't either.

-Joel

Rob,
Your post was not a waste of time. I only mentioned the earlier thread because it contained the Ford part number and the suggestion to change the cap to a lower pressure to prevent another failure. I apologize if I offended you.

Gerald

I suspect we are all at an age where reminders are a good thing. I rely on just this kind of question and response post to keep the known issues on the front burner from time to time to prevent a break down on the road....thanks to you both.

Regards Ed