Scott,
I respectfully disagree with your first statement. The pressure cap on the
Vanagon is different than those in cars from the 60s.
The Vanagon's cap allows coolant to be drawn in during the cooling cycle.
Without the overflow tank, air would be drawn back in to the system. Hence
the need to keep this level correct.  The system is designed to direct air
to the cap for expulsion also.
Ken Lewis
http://neksiwel.20m.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Daniel - Shazam" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 4:22 AM
Subject: Re: [VANAGON] Coolant flow/air bleeding

Well, here's my thoughts -
One, it can run with just the pressure bottle and pressure cap working, it
does not 'need' the overflow bottle.  Cars never even had overflow tanks
before about the late 60's............