The Ford Barn

B.SUTTON · 07-07-2011, 11:24 AM

I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this, but here goes anyway:

The other day I came across stainless 30-31 Model A repro radiator caps being sold on ebay by a place called Classic Auto Parts Group Inc. The picture in the description was fuzzy but the 'buy it now' price was under $10 so I took a gamble. Got the part in the mail and it looks more than acceptable for the money.

-now my question: Upon flipping the cap over, I noticed that there is a small vent hole drilled in the underside. I contacted the seller about this and he informed me that 'it's supposed to be that way' since the model A has a non-pressurized cooling system. Now, maybe I'm a dope, but I dont believe that any of the other old wore out A caps I have, have a vent hole.

Is there supposed to be one???

Seems to me that when the coolant level comes up in the top tank, it's gonna escape that hole and end up on the hood.

Thanks for your insight!
-Brian

JBR · 07-07-2011, 11:40 AM

Brian,
What you have is a gas cap. There shouldn't be a hole in a radiator cap.
Jon

B.SUTTON · 07-07-2011, 11:51 AM

Thanks JBR - I thought it was a gas cap at first also. However, the outter shell of the cap has the lower skirt like a radiator cap would. It also has the smaller center piece (the part with ears that thread down into the radiator neck). I havent tried it yet, but I dont believe this center piece is large enough to engage the filler neck hole for the gas tank - I think the gas cap has a larger center. Perhaps these caps just come from a confused manufacturer? I guess for the $10 initial investment, I can afford to plug the hole with a dab or solder or JB weld and away I go!

-Brian

jw hash · 07-07-2011, 05:59 PM

what does the inside of the cap look like and is there a letter on the rivets and there is NO vent hole in any of the original model A radiator caps, is it stainless outside or chrome plated steel it sounds like it could be a badger cap sold by western auto if so the vent is only in the catch part and there will be a letter B on the rivets I have some of them in the original box,

B.SUTTON · 07-07-2011, 08:34 PM

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It is a brand new reproduction cap. I took a closer look at the box it came in and through the seller's stock number sticker I could read the manufacturer's sticker beneath: "Made in Taiwan". I took it out to the garage to test fit it on the radiator - Doesn't fit

. Not a big enough gap between the ears and the cap shell to allow it to twist onto the radiator fill neck. Also tried it on a spare A radiator I had down in the basement just to verify my sanity - doesnt fit that one either. I guess I now have a nice shiny radiator cap paper weight. Anyone have a spare dome top radiator cap to match my gas cap that they would be willing to sell. Not looking for a perfect one, it's just going on a driver. As long as the ears arent rotted off and it'll seal up, I'd be a happy camper.

Thanks
-Brian

07-07-2011, 11:24 AM	#1
B.SUTTON Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 29	Radiator Cap Question I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this, but here goes anyway: The other day I came across stainless 30-31 Model A repro radiator caps being sold on ebay by a place called Classic Auto Parts Group Inc. The picture in the description was fuzzy but the 'buy it now' price was under $10 so I took a gamble. Got the part in the mail and it looks more than acceptable for the money. -now my question: Upon flipping the cap over, I noticed that there is a small vent hole drilled in the underside. I contacted the seller about this and he informed me that 'it's supposed to be that way' since the model A has a non-pressurized cooling system. Now, maybe I'm a dope, but I dont believe that any of the other old wore out A caps I have, have a vent hole. Is there supposed to be one??? Seems to me that when the coolant level comes up in the top tank, it's gonna escape that hole and end up on the hood. Thanks for your insight! -Brian

07-07-2011, 11:40 AM	#2
JBR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 346	Re: Radiator Cap Question Brian, What you have is a gas cap. There shouldn't be a hole in a radiator cap. Jon Last edited by JBR; 07-07-2011 at 11:41 AM. Reason: hit wrong key.

07-07-2011, 11:51 AM	#3
B.SUTTON Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 29	Re: Radiator Cap Question Thanks JBR - I thought it was a gas cap at first also. However, the outter shell of the cap has the lower skirt like a radiator cap would. It also has the smaller center piece (the part with ears that thread down into the radiator neck). I havent tried it yet, but I dont believe this center piece is large enough to engage the filler neck hole for the gas tank - I think the gas cap has a larger center. Perhaps these caps just come from a confused manufacturer? I guess for the $10 initial investment, I can afford to plug the hole with a dab or solder or JB weld and away I go! -Brian

07-07-2011, 05:59 PM	#4
jw hash Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn Washington Posts: 2,662	Re: Radiator Cap Question what does the inside of the cap look like and is there a letter on the rivets and there is NO vent hole in any of the original model A radiator caps, is it stainless outside or chrome plated steel it sounds like it could be a badger cap sold by western auto if so the vent is only in the catch part and there will be a letter B on the rivets I have some of them in the original box,

07-07-2011, 08:34 PM	#5
B.SUTTON Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 29	Re: Radiator Cap Question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It is a brand new reproduction cap. I took a closer look at the box it came in and through the seller's stock number sticker I could read the manufacturer's sticker beneath: "Made in Taiwan". I took it out to the garage to test fit it on the radiator - Doesn't fit . Not a big enough gap between the ears and the cap shell to allow it to twist onto the radiator fill neck. Also tried it on a spare A radiator I had down in the basement just to verify my sanity - doesnt fit that one either. I guess I now have a nice shiny radiator cap paper weight. Anyone have a spare dome top radiator cap to match my gas cap that they would be willing to sell. Not looking for a perfect one, it's just going on a driver. As long as the ears arent rotted off and it'll seal up, I'd be a happy camper. Thanks -Brian