My next project

**Elantramax1** · 10-30-2014, 03:32 PM

Hi all. My next project. Fortunately its a rather simple one. I have to replace the Coolant Bottle on a 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity V6. Problem is, I can't get the replacement part. So I need to get a "Universal" bottle. Which will involve me making a bracket to reuse the existing mounting locations. I am Probably going to use a 1/8" thick Aluminum bar. Cut and bend to fit. Drill a couple holes. Should be ok?? Its only a coolant bottle. Or I am going to make it the harder way. Using some flat steel bar. Again Cut and Bent and drilled to reuse the existing mounting locations. And weld a bar running a diagonal across to hang the bottle on. Then I would have to paint it. Got to get the bottle first and see how it will fit. Fortunately Summit Racing has one in stock. Hopefully it will arrive next week.

**Rambozo** · 10-30-2014, 04:19 PM

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/products/.../10170152.html

http://www.gmoutletparts.com/oe-gm/10170152

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results...umber=10170152

**Elantramax1** · 10-30-2014, 04:36 PM

Thanks Rambozo. Wow the one place wants $12 just to ship. The Universal is going to cost me less than $12. I have some scrap laying around. Maybe it will be enough??

I just checked the other two sites. WOW is the Shipping HIGH. The one place total is over $43. They're all over $34

**performance** · 10-30-2014, 05:29 PM

True, it can get expensive with shipping for small items like that, but the time and effort spent in fabricating a bracket can exceed the value of the ones online.

**Rambozo** · 10-30-2014, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by performance

True, it can get expensive with shipping for small items like that, but the time and effort spent in fabricating a bracket can exceed the value of the ones online.

For something like an 88 Celebrity it wouldn't take much to exceed the value of the vehicle, either.

You can make an offer...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331348107193

**DaveO** · 10-30-2014, 06:23 PM

Any dismantling yards aka junkyards nearby, that might have a used part? Or is the deal already done.

**everlastsupport** · 10-30-2014, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by DaveO

Any dismantling yards aka junkyards nearby, that might have a used part? Or is the deal already done.

That was my thought, junkyard. Ram was funny, might exceed the value of the car..

But anyway, he can make a bracket, more fun that way.

**Elantramax1** · 10-30-2014, 10:17 PM

The owner of the car looked around. How long do you think that a new part from the 80s would last?

**Elantramax1** · 10-30-2014, 11:45 PM

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The Owner of the car is spending roughly $1600 to fix Oil, Coolant leaks. I am trying to do her a favor. My plan is to use a 1 or 3/4" 16 gauge bar. Cut and Bend. Drill a couple of holes. Basically the new bottle will hang on a "Suspension bridge". Should cost roughly $20. And give me something to do. I like doing things like this. Makes my life interesting.

Next Spring, I am going to build another Cart. For storing my Clamps, Welding Blanket, Etc. Can't do it now. Financial reasons. Trane is having Another "Plant Shutdown" this week. Its becoming a monthly occurrence. Back on NJ Unemployment again.

**Elantramax1** · 10-31-2014, 12:54 AM

I have an Idea. There is a Support Bar that runs from the Upper Radiator. Over to the Fender. I could just remove the Bar. Weld a couple of hangers. And attach the bottle to it. Or I could put it as close to the factory location as I could.

**Rambozo** · 10-31-2014, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by Elantramax1

I have an Idea. There is a Support Bar that runs from the Upper Radiator. Over to the Fender. I could just remove the Bar. Weld a couple of hangers. And attach the bottle to it. Or I could put it as close to the factory location as I could.

Or just drill a couple of holes in that bar to hang the bottle with nuts and bolts, or just weld on a couple of bolts to act as mounting studs, the options are endless. For the quick and dirty version just zip tie the bottle to that bar. Once you have the new bottle you can figure out how it will best fit. Maybe you can screw it to the front of the strut tower, or make some bracket to mount it in the original location. If possible try to have the bottom or side rest on something so all the weight isn't free swinging from the two tabs. But again, with a car like that, how long does it need to last anyway? In CA they are pretty rough, I can only imagine what an east coast car looks like after over a quarter century of east coast winters.

**Elantramax1** · 10-31-2014, 09:02 AM

The Bottle is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Problem is, Its going to be Cold and Wet this weekend. I may not be able to work on it.

The Support Bar is removable. I already have a 3' piece of 1/8" aluminum bar. Then I wouldn't have to worry about painting it.

**Elantramax1** · 10-31-2014, 09:10 PM

As it turns out, The car is still in the shop. Waiting on another part. Maybe Monday afternoon for it to be done. I need the car and bottle so I can make the bracket. And paint it.

**Elantramax1** · 11-01-2014, 08:41 PM

Got the bottle today. I have a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal that I am going to use as the "Backer". Already cut it. Need the car so I can make the bracket.

**Rambozo** · 11-01-2014, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Elantramax1

Got the bottle today. I have a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal that I am going to use as the "Backer". Already cut it. Need the car so I can make the bracket.

**Elantramax1** · 11-03-2014, 09:49 PM

I NEED that. Now the Chevrolet Dealer claims the engine Needs an Oil Filter Adapter. Which wont arrive until Friday. This started with her wanting the Oil Pan Gasket replaced. Last Mon, Oct 27.

I bought an Intermediate Box from Sears. On Sale for $40. Regular price $100. Went to place it on my tool box. Lock cylinder fell out. The factory forgot to install the retainer. Which was probably a Shim. Not inside the unit. Half hour with Sears, I am getting a Refund of 10%. For the "Hassle". I was able to make one out of some scrap 16 Gauge sheet metal (1" Square piece in the garbage metal bucket). Rolled the one end over so it made it easier for me to push it on. And later to punch it out if needed.

**everlastsupport** · 11-04-2014, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Rambozo

Very good taste. See the price.

Hope he gets his car back. We had a Jeep like that. First and last one.

**Elantramax1** · 11-04-2014, 11:13 PM

Hope he gets his car back. We had a Jeep like that. First and last one.[/QUOTE]

Its my Sisters car. Started with going to a Chevy dealer to replace the Oil Pan gasket. Then somehow morphed into needing Head Gaskets. I can understand the plastic Vacuum lines. They break after a while. Its a 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity 2.8 V6. Somehow it now needs an Oil Filter Adapter. Which is supposed to arrive later this week. After that?? Who knows. And the Oil Pan Gasket was not done with all this work.

**everlastsupport** · 11-05-2014, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Elantramax1

Hope he gets his car back. We had a Jeep like that. First and last one.

Its my Sisters car. Started with going to a Chevy dealer to replace the Oil Pan gasket. Then somehow morphed into needing Head Gaskets. I can understand the plastic Vacuum lines. They break after a while. Its a 1988 Chevrolet Celebrity 2.8 V6. Somehow it now needs an Oil Filter Adapter. Which is supposed to arrive later this week. After that?? Who knows. And the Oil Pan Gasket was not done with all this work.

Time to get that car home while you still have some cash. They tend to do that, some places down here anyway.

**Rambozo** · 11-05-2014, 07:23 PM

Doesn't seem like a car you would even want to fix. At that age everything is going to start failing. For the price of all these repairs, you could probably buy a better car.

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