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Thread: Coolant expansion tank, custom holding bracket

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    1996 BMW 328is

    Coolant expansion tank, custom holding bracket

    After replacing the fan clutch with an electric fan many years ago, I finally cleaned up how the expansion tank was mounted.

    See before and after photos. All of the extra plastic is removed, and much cleaner look and function.

    If you are interested in getting one made for your car....

    For $10, I'll send you a PDF of the engineering drawing, so you can take that to a machine shop. I am just looking to recoup my time & effort.
    For materials, I gave the machine shop an aluminum L bracket...the L was 4" x 4" x 1/2" thick. The L was 6 inches long. I bought a 12" long piece for $33.

    The machine shop made two pieces, but I only need one.
    For $90, I will ship the second one to you, shipping included to lower 48 states.
    The current hole in the bracket is a thru hole for a M6 x 1.0 thread x 20mm long bolt.
    Your radiator may be different.

    PM if interested, and PayPal payment instructions.


    Brian
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
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    Feb 2016
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    South Africa, JHB
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    1992 BMW 325i (Drifter)
    I like it !


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  3. #3
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    Jan 2013
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    Plano, Texas
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    1989 325i
    That thing is awesome, I need one

  4. #4
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    4x4
    looks nice

  5. #5
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    Mar 2014
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    Denver, CO
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    1995 325 is
    Very nice, the expansion tank mounting won't ever need to be dealt with again on that design.

    With this setup one would need to completely remove the fan shroud, is that correct?

    Also trying to think how this would be mounted to the stock radiator that uses the plastic pop-rivets....
    Last edited by FamilyForce6; 06-27-2017 at 11:37 AM.

  6. #6
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    May 2012
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    1996 BMW 328is
    FamilyForce6
    Yes, the fan shroud is completely removed now, after the installation of the aluminum tank bracket discussed here.
    Prior to the custom aluminum bracket, I had cut the fan shroud after installing an electric fan, to where only the section near the coolant expansion tank remained.
    With the electric fan installation, I also put in an aftermarket radiator.

    Blackworks RAD-BM01
    http://www.aptuned.com/RAD-BM01

    I used a threaded hole to mount the plastic to hold the expansion tank (shown in the "before" photo), but the whole expansion tank was being held up solely by the bleed screw. Not good.
    It worked for a while, but time to get a permanent solution, so the aluminum bracket.

    On your other question, I haven't had a stock radiator in such a long time, I wouldn't be able to help you there. Sorry.

    Brian

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2012
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    1996 BMW 328is
    This also fits Mitshimoto radiators.

  8. #8
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    Peoria, AZ
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    03 zhp, 97 e36m3, 04 zhp
    Props dude!

  9. #9
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    1996 BMW 328is
    Back in 2017, two years ago, I had two of these brackets made.

    I can now see that I'll never use the second bracket. I have had no issues with the first bracket, and it has been in my E36 the whole time.

    I'm accepting any donation for the second bracket, plus you pay shipping.

    If you want to donate $0, then you pay only shipping. I ran a few errands, designed it, and paid for it, so donations are appreciated.

    I am old school, so PayPal or Zelle works for me.

    Also, I have no idea when you ask me, "How much is shipping to XXXXX zip code?"

    I will front the shipping costs, and send you a photo of the shipping receipt. I just put the bracket on a scale, and it weighs 1 pound.


    Brian
    San Diego, CA

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2020
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    New York City
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    1999 M3
    Hey man interested if you still have those brackets but would you be able to send me some pictures so I can see what it looks like?

  11. #11
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    Josh488,

    On the first post of this thread, there are photos.

    I checked my garage, and I no longer have this.

    If you would like, I can send you drawings so that you can get it made.

    PM me if interested.

    Brian

  12. #12
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    1996 BMW 328is
    Here's the drawing of the bracket.

    It took me a lot of time, but many people on this site also donate a lot of their time.

    If you would like to send a donation, PM me. If not, no big, and enjoy.

    Brian

    Expansion tank holder 1.jpg

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
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    Z3 Coupe individual
    Quote Originally Posted by Brian 328is View Post
    Here's the drawing of the bracket.

    It took me a lot of time, but many people on this site also donate a lot of their time.

    If you would like to send a donation, PM me. If not, no big, and enjoy.

    Brian

    Expansion tank holder 1.jpg
    Hello, thanks for the image, but I cant understand any measurement, they are fractions of an inch?
    you dont happen to have the expansion tank bottle hole width and lenght and just r for corners. If possible in millemeters/metric.

    Z3 & E36 RamAir systems, send private message for more information.

  14. #14
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    1998 Z3M, 2006 330i
    Those dimensions are in "thousanths", so 1.250 would read "1 inch and 250 thousanths", or 1-1/4 inches. You can use google to translate into mm.

  15. #15
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    Z3 Coupe individual
    That’s what I thought.
    2 PL and 4 PL meaning what? Propably does not matter...
    Last edited by Remotion; 09-20-2023 at 06:30 PM.

    Z3 & E36 RamAir systems, send private message for more information.

  16. #16
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    1998 Z3M, 2006 330i
    2 pl reads "2 place", refers to how many places shown to the right of the decimal point. Example: 2.50 is 2 pl ..... 3 pl would be 2.500, which is generally more accurate than 2.50 (although accuracy for both should be defined. Example: 2.500 +/- .005 )

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