My next project

[Elantramax1]

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]

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

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

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

[Elantramax1]

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]

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]

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]

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

[everlastsupport]

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]

Well. Not good. She got the car back Friday night. Saturday night it starts Stalling and Not Starting. Thinking Maybe an Ignition Module. She's going to call the dealer this morning to see what they will do??

On a Hind thought, I Probably should have welded the plate to the rail. Left it loose to paint.

[Elantramax1]

Rambozo, I did something between what you suggested and what I wanted to do. What I did was, Cut the 1/8" bar to fit underneath the Support Bar. Welded a short piece underneath at a slight angle. Drilled holes. The picture is the underside of the unit. Haven't test fitted it yet. I drilled slots in the ends just in case. And where the Bottle is mounted, I gave myself an extra inch. If I need to slide the bottle forward more to fit over the wheel well hump.

[Elantramax1]

Yeah!!!! Replacement Arrived today. Took it to AZ and tested it myself. The IM Passed. Checked the Coils. Secondary Towers, 5600 Ohms. Passed. Now if the Weather will Cooperate tomorrow I can finally get one thorn out of my side.

[Elantramax1]

They're "Test" driving it now. She may get it back tonight. I can work on the Bracket on the next "Plant Shutdown". Which will probably be Thanksgiving week.

[Rambozo]

One of those cars where you can double the resale value by filling the gas tank.

[Elantramax1]

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

[Elantramax1]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.