Im the new owner of a 65 cutlass. I had a coolant leak this morning and in the process of looking at it I found a hose just below the cap that is just hanging there. Does anyone know where this is supposed to go?

 

That is the coolant overflow hose for a non-recovery type system. If you would like the radiator to recover lost coolant then you can get either a factory replacement or an aftermarket overflow tank.

There is no problem leaving that hose the way it is, but if you are in a hot part of the country you may find yourself checking the radiator fluid before driving it.

 

Lesson for all new old car owners: radiators on pre-1970s cars do not have coolant recovery jugs. If they build up too much pressure the radiator cap will relieve it right onto the ground, which is the way they were designed. These cars also do not have any factory recovery jug option- if you want one, it has to be aftermarket or make a factory piece fit. Recovery systems also require a special pressure/vacuum radiator cap, and I am generally leery of the ones that come in the overflow kits.

Also- you do not fill radiators without recovery tanks all the way to the bottom of the filler neck. For a top tank radiator like your car has, you should maintain the coolant level about 2" below the bottom of the filler neck, covering the radiator core by about 1/2". Side tank radiators will have a "Fill Cold" mark stamped into the cold side tank.

If you fill these radiators up to the neck, they will puke out coolant until they find the level they want- which incidentally is right about where I've pointed out above.

 

Well put.

 

x2! :d