The Ford Barn

1962300 · 01-05-2018, 01:26 PM

Question....
I have a 1932 roadster; stock radiator & stock radiator shell.
I am running it with a stock radiator cap.

But....
I would like to retrofit a 1930 Buick 8 radiator cap.
Anyone know how I would go about making this work?
I know I need the proper guts to fit into the radiator to live inside the Buick cap.

Do I just go to a reputable radiator shop with both caps & inquire?
Thanks!

tiger.1000 · 01-06-2018, 05:12 AM

Matt,

Can you post a few pictures of the cap you plan to use? Doubtless the eccentrics within our midst will come up with a solution.

1962300 · 01-06-2018, 04:17 PM

Picture of the 1932 Ford Cap & Buick Cap.
I probably need to bring both to a radiator shop.
Thanks

Fordors · 01-06-2018, 05:36 PM

From the looks of things it appears you like the patina on the Buick cap along with it's "8" on the leading edge. I'm guessing you want it for an older hot rod.
Why not just take off the 5/16-18 screw that holds the new one together and see if the components from the new one fit the Buick cap? The under side of your Buick cap looks to be very similar to a Ford cap but what I can't see from your picture is the square projection on the die casting that the Ford cap has to hold the brass latch in it's correct position.
It may be there, but partially eroded. Without that detail it will be difficult, if not impossible to keep the cap tight.

tiger.1000 · 01-07-2018, 04:12 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Assuming that both caps are of similar diameter I would be tempted to cut the top off the Buick cap and similarly the Ford;then attach the top of the Buick cap to the bottom of the Ford cap and use this as a pattern for making a mould for a brass casting.

May appear to be a bit of a saga but if a job's worth doing....?

Alternatively Fordor's suggestion may well work and definitely worth a try. Repro 32 caps aren't expensive; so if you wreck a few in the process; no harm done !

01-05-2018, 01:26 PM	#1
1962300 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 181	1932 Radiator Cap Question.... I have a 1932 roadster; stock radiator & stock radiator shell. I am running it with a stock radiator cap. But.... I would like to retrofit a 1930 Buick 8 radiator cap. Anyone know how I would go about making this work? I know I need the proper guts to fit into the radiator to live inside the Buick cap. Do I just go to a reputable radiator shop with both caps & inquire? Thanks! __________________ Matt Allyn 1932 Ford Roadster / 1949 Mercury Coupe / 1949 Harley Davidson "45" / 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible / 1957 Lincoln Premiere Convertible / 1959 Lambretta TV175 / 1962 Sunbeam Alpine Convertible / 1962 Chrysler New Yorker Station Wagon / 1962 Chrysler 300H / 1962 Chrysler 300 Sport / 1964 International Travelall / 2015 Tesla Model S

01-06-2018, 05:12 AM	#2
tiger.1000 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hertford (UK) Posts: 905	Re: 1932 Radiator Cap Matt, Can you post a few pictures of the cap you plan to use? Doubtless the eccentrics within our midst will come up with a solution.

01-06-2018, 05:36 PM	#4
Fordors Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orland Park,IL Posts: 1,402	Re: 1932 Radiator Cap From the looks of things it appears you like the patina on the Buick cap along with it's "8" on the leading edge. I'm guessing you want it for an older hot rod. Why not just take off the 5/16-18 screw that holds the new one together and see if the components from the new one fit the Buick cap? The under side of your Buick cap looks to be very similar to a Ford cap but what I can't see from your picture is the square projection on the die casting that the Ford cap has to hold the brass latch in it's correct position. It may be there, but partially eroded. Without that detail it will be difficult, if not impossible to keep the cap tight. __________________ My school colors are black and blue, I attended the School of Hard Knocks where I received a Masters Degree in Chronic Mopery. Last edited by Fordors; 01-06-2018 at 09:13 PM.

01-07-2018, 04:12 AM	#5
tiger.1000 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hertford (UK) Posts: 905	Re: 1932 Radiator Cap Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Assuming that both caps are of similar diameter I would be tempted to cut the top off the Buick cap and similarly the Ford;then attach the top of the Buick cap to the bottom of the Ford cap and use this as a pattern for making a mould for a brass casting. May appear to be a bit of a saga but if a job's worth doing....? Alternatively Fordor's suggestion may well work and definitely worth a try. Repro 32 caps aren't expensive; so if you wreck a few in the process; no harm done !