Coolant hose for use with "Rew Pot"

Post by **PhilE** » Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:00 am

Hi, Can anyone recommend the coolant hose pipe (part no. or intended application) to use that connects the "Rew Pot" to the top of the radiator on a 6a? I thought I had kept a record but I obviously didn't. I know there are mixed feelings about the effectiveness of the "Rew Pot" but I would be very reluctant to remove it as in my opinion it has been a total success.

Post by **TrevorG** » Sun Jul 21, 2019 10:10 am

Phil, I second your opinions on the Rewpot, used my 6a with it in place for six years commuting 40 miles in and 40 miles out to central London without any overheating problems. It's definitely going to remain in my car!

I'll have a look later, but somewhere in the back of my mind I seem to think that Robin told me that a standard hose cut in the middle and twisted slightly on the join works. Might be a figment of my imagination as my age and it being 35 years ago is playing on me!

Post by **PhilE** » Sun Jul 21, 2019 9:17 pm

Thank you Trevor. It wasn't you that I used to see in a dark green 6a on the A40 was it?

Post by **TrevorG** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 8:37 am

Hi Phil, it was the A40, I lived in Stokenchurch and worked in Harley street, trouble was....my 6a is/was mulberry!

Had a look this morning, can't find a standard top hose to compare (thought there was one on my spare engine). Will try and compare my two bits to a picture of a standard hose. Will see later.

Post by **PhilE** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:20 am

Trevor, thanks very much for you help. The A40 6a was, as I recollect, dark green and totally de-badged.

Post by **mark rudder** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 9:45 am

Must ask, what is a "Rew Pot"?

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 10:19 am

To combat widely reported overheating issues Don Pither advocated replumbing the SE6 system (unpressurised overlow tank) to the 5a system (pressurised expansion tank that didn't seem to have overheating problems) including the rear tapping in the inlet manifold for more flow in that area.

Robin Rew went about it slightly differently, advocating his own expansion tank on top of the inlet manifold (replacing the existing Ford pressure cap housing) for added volume of coolant and expansion area within - which became known as the Rewpot.

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As mentioned, it was designed to use the standard hoses.

With decades of hindsight, the best method is still to maintain the standard system properly IMHO.

Post by **TrevorG** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 3:09 pm

Hi Phil et al, just had a gander at my rewpot plumbing. Difficulty is that engine is in bits and everything else packed away.

Looking at the parts diagrams, I think I was wrong. It looks as though everything is standard on the off side, but on the near side we have the bottom rubber hose, then a short connector pipe (cut from original?) and then another bottom hose in place of the straight top connector.

Photo is my rewpot tacked onto my spare engine.

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My sketchy memory seems to recall the fundamental problem with the 6a cooling system was in what I was doing in the 80s, ie driving fast for 30 miles on a motorway, then immediately queing for 10 miles in London traffic. Either reverting to a 5a expansion system, or the rewpot cured the sudden surge of expanding hot water and an idling pump. I don't think many scimitars do that now, hence no absolute need unless you hit the motorways at holiday time!

Post by **scimjim** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 4:24 pm

I’m not sure why your metal top pipe has been cut down - IIRC you just take a slice from the standard top rubber pipe and it fits as per OEM.

Post by **TrevorG** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 4:32 pm

Jim, I haven't a clue....Robin did it, perhaps he thought the original went too close to the moving or hot parts? It is a power steering model.

Post by **PhilE** » Mon Jul 22, 2019 6:17 pm

Jim & Trevor, I have not got the original 6a thermostat housing available at the moment but I believe that the outlet from the Rew Pot is turned further to the front of the car (it may be as much as 90 degrees). Hence Trevor's arrangement that enables the coolant pipe to be positioned facing the outlet without twisting and crushing the pipe. Is there any possibility you are referring to the top hose for a 5a Jim? Just a guess as am am not familiar with them!

Post by **MikeT** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 1:07 pm

I used a universal type from Halfords - it's been that long I've forgot what the original setup looked like...

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Cheers,

Mike.

Post by **TrevorG** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:19 pm

Smart engine bay Mike! Got my block back today, so the rebuild begins.

Post by **TrevorG** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 2:26 pm

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My engine bay at the moment!

Post by **PhilE** » Tue Jul 23, 2019 8:15 pm

Thank you all very much for your replies and advice. Your spiral spring type universal hose gives me another option Mike. I must say I had discounted these as I thought it would rub on the fibreglass ledge of the battery box but your installation looks good.