B-8100-RK Radiator Cap Repair Kit

[petehoovie]

Have any of you with '34 cars tried this radiator cap repair kit? If so, what are your opinions on it?....

[fordscript]

I have one of those on my 34. Works perfectly, never a problem in 20 years.

[Terry,OH]

I just installed one kit on an original 34 cap. Seems to work well. I was able to get the original screw out of the original cap without damage. Heat is your friend here if necessary.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Terry,OH

I just installed one kit on an original 34 cap. Seems to work well. I was able to get the original screw out of the original cap without damage. Heat is your friend here if necessary.

So, I guess from what you're saying is there were no incompatibilities with the parts - no surprises....

I've got three caps to repair (two of which are dogs) and I don't want to commit on buying 3 kits if there are any surprises....

[DavidG]

I recall that way back when we used to take the parts from reproduction caps from Rosemead to replace the originals, but the screw was as original (plated steel) which wasn't a good idea back in 1934, let alone thirty years later. (Ford switched to brass screws for their service caps.) Then Bob Drake offered the kit with either a brass or stainless steel screw and they work as advertised. Hopefully the Vintique offering does as well.

[G.M.]

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Those caps don't seal very well when new. Cut a gasket the size of the plastic
one out of the red rubber gasket material from a hardware store and place that
on the plastic one so the rubber seals against the top of the radiator neck. G.M.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Those caps don't seal very well when new. Cut a gasket the size of the plastic
one out of the red rubber gasket material from a hardware store and place that
on the plastic one so the rubber seals against the top of the radiator neck. G.M.

I was just going to ask what the 'seal surface material' is made of - because if it is not rubber, there is no way it is going to seal. I have the little pressure valve form 'Skip' in my overflow tube (32 radiator), so I need a good sealing cap to go with it . . . and your idea should get me through it. Any idea as to the thickness of the gasket material you used?

Thanks!
B&S

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I was just going to ask what the 'seal surface material' is made of - because if it is not rubber, there is no way it is going to seal. I have the little pressure valve form 'Skip' in my overflow tube (32 radiator), so I need a good sealing cap to go with it . . . and your idea should get me through it. Any idea as to the thickness of the gasket material you used?

Thanks!
B&S

The red rubber I mentioned is what I have used on a number of caps.
It's a little less than 1/8" With Skips valve and the rubber seal you can
fill your radiator up close to the top of the filler neck. The length of all
the large diameter added together expand enough to maintain all of
the coolant. If pressure gets over 3 lbs the valve will release excessive
pressure. I go well over a year without adding coolant. G.M.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Those caps don't seal very well when new. Cut a gasket the size of the plastic
one out of the red rubber gasket material from a hardware store and place that
on the plastic one so the rubber seals against the top of the radiator neck. G.M.

The gasket in the kit is not plastic - it's fiber. I'm thinking it might have to be soaked with oil or coated with grease to get it to be more pliable.

In what section of the hardware store does one find this "red rubber gasket material"? The plumbing section? Is there a 'Brand' name?....

[DavidG]

Those gaskets seal quite well on un-pressurized radiators. Instead of oil or grease you may wish to consider using liquid silicone (spray). I find that it works great for that purpose.

[G.M.]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

The gasket in the kit is not plastic - it's fiber. I'm thinking it might have to be soaked with oil or coated with grease to get it to be more pliable.

In what section of the hardware store does one find this "red rubber gasket material"? The plumbing section? Is there a 'Brand' name?....

Oil won't penetrate the fiber gasket. The red rubber is in the hardware
section. G.M.