Rb26 Intake Manifold Water Rail Steam / Air Bleeds?

[Chris Wilson]

I see some RB26 engines with welded on pipe adaptors in the top water rail (above the intake manifold). These, often 3 of them) feed into a water swirl / bleed pot at a higher level. Presumably the idea is to remove any steam pockets. My set up is in bits, bead blasted. I am wondering if it's worth modding the rail for this? Car is for track usage, all steel RB26 on twin 2860-10 and Tomei 280 degree 10.8 mm lift cams, on Motec M800. Is it overkill, bull or a worthwhile mod? Thanks.

[jeffworld2]

often a header tank is put in when you cannot run a regular radiator cap, either it fouls the bonnet because its a larger radiator or you moved it forward etc etc. If you can run a radiator cap, you dont really neeeeeeed a header tank assuming everything else is fine

[Beer Baron]

it's a worthwhille mod to do while everything is apart. basically all you are doing is creating a new high point in the system. so it allows any air or steam build up in the head to get up into that rail, then out into the header tank. people use the factory bleed point as one, then add 2 or 3 more along it. some people even install nippples at other points in the heads water galleries, but you would need some decent know-how before doing those ones.