The Ford Barn

FrankWest · 03-24-2015, 07:26 PM

What is the proper way to tighten a radiator cap fit. I have an original cap that fits ok but I think it should be a little tighter.
What is the proper layering of metal spacers and non metal spacers?

FL&WVMIKE · 03-25-2015, 01:14 PM

Find some thicker gasket material.
MIKE

(mikeburch)

G.M. · 03-25-2015, 01:45 PM

You have to drill the rivet out and replace it with a SS slotted RH screw, LW and nut.
Make a new gasket out the red rubber material in the local hardware store. G.M.

Tim Ayers · 03-25-2015, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.M.

You have to drill the rivet out and replace it with a SS slotted RH screw, LW and nut.
Make a new gasket out the red rubber material in the local hardware store. G.M.

G.M.:

What is "LW"?

Tim

Jay in Mass · 03-25-2015, 02:06 PM

I'm willing to bet that LW means lock washer.

DavidG · 03-25-2015, 02:38 PM

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G.M.

Original '32-'34 caps aren't riveted together. The various out-of-sight components are held in place with a screw and lock washer that threads into the underside of the cap casting (zinc die cast).

It would seem that your reference is to a '35 and up radiator caps.

Tim Ayers · 03-25-2015, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay in Mass

I'm willing to bet that LW means lock washer.

Aw, yes. I didn't have my smart pills yet.

fourfords · 03-25-2015, 08:38 PM

My original radiator cap fit very loose. I have a sheet of thin rubber gasket material. I simply cut the material and placed it on the the cap. I put a finger tip of oil on the material to help the cap go on and off easier. solid and not too snug.

Tim Ayers · 03-26-2015, 05:16 AM

There is a member here who is selling a supposed NOS kit to refurbished an early rad cap.

johnh7 · 03-26-2015, 03:11 PM

It is interesting to see how each of us modify the radiator cap.

Bruce Lancaster · 03-26-2015, 03:45 PM

Ford sold only complete cap assemblies and separate gaskets...nothing else seems to have been serviced. Drake has a nice kit for early V-8's containing everything except the casting.

Bruce Lancaster · 03-26-2015, 04:39 PM

Well, the kit for sale is not Drake stuff, and theguy selling it is known as a mighty parts hunter...so likely really Ford!

03-24-2015, 07:26 PM	#1
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,157	how to tighten radiator cap What is the proper way to tighten a radiator cap fit. I have an original cap that fits ok but I think it should be a little tighter. What is the proper layering of metal spacers and non metal spacers?

03-25-2015, 01:14 PM	#2
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,449	Re: how to tighten radiator cap Find some thicker gasket material. MIKE (mikeburch)

03-25-2015, 01:45 PM	#3
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: how to tighten radiator cap You have to drill the rivet out and replace it with a SS slotted RH screw, LW and nut. Make a new gasket out the red rubber material in the local hardware store. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

03-25-2015, 02:06 PM	#5
Jay in Mass Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mass. Posts: 379	Re: how to tighten radiator cap I'm willing to bet that LW means lock washer.

03-25-2015, 02:38 PM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,599	Re: how to tighten radiator cap Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) G.M. Original '32-'34 caps aren't riveted together. The various out-of-sight components are held in place with a screw and lock washer that threads into the underside of the cap casting (zinc die cast). It would seem that your reference is to a '35 and up radiator caps. Last edited by DavidG; 03-25-2015 at 09:27 PM. Reason: additional comment

03-25-2015, 08:38 PM	#8
fourfords Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA. Posts: 476	Re: how to tighten radiator cap My original radiator cap fit very loose. I have a sheet of thin rubber gasket material. I simply cut the material and placed it on the the cap. I put a finger tip of oil on the material to help the cap go on and off easier. solid and not too snug.

03-26-2015, 05:16 AM	#9
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,917	Re: how to tighten radiator cap There is a member here who is selling a supposed NOS kit to refurbished an early rad cap.

03-26-2015, 03:11 PM	#10
johnh7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Palestine, Texas Posts: 181	Re: how to tighten radiator cap It is interesting to see how each of us modify the radiator cap. __________________ John Live for today, but save for tomorrow!

03-26-2015, 03:45 PM	#11
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: how to tighten radiator cap Ford sold only complete cap assemblies and separate gaskets...nothing else seems to have been serviced. Drake has a nice kit for early V-8's containing everything except the casting.

03-26-2015, 04:39 PM	#12
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: how to tighten radiator cap Well, the kit for sale is not Drake stuff, and theguy selling it is known as a mighty parts hunter...so likely really Ford!