 carolinakid
"10th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 1151
Loc: Erwin NC
Reg: 08-27-03
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04-21-22 04:18 PM - Post#2840163
What Pound radiator cap are you using?
Do radiator caps get weak?
In my 56 I am running a 13 pound radiator cap with the antifreeze about 1 inch below the filler neck. Took it for a drive tonight and noticed when I got home that I had antifreeze all over my inner fender and the underside of my hood. Do I need to get a 15 pound cap? Thanks
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 GreatNorthWoods
"7th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1366
Age: 79
Loc: Littleton, New Hampshire,...
Reg: 03-31-02
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04-22-22 05:00 AM - Post#2840177
In response to carolinakid
If you're running an original radiator, then 13lb is the correct cap. If you have a replacement aluminum radiator a 15lb won't hurt anything. Check the gasket on your cap and see if the rubber gasket is cracked or brittle. You may have possibly overfilled the radiator a bit and the coolant came out of the overflow pipe. You could always add a coolant overflow kit too. 
Vern
1953 Chevy Belair Sport Coupe - 355 Chevy V8, 700-R4, 4-wheel disc brakes, Ididit column, cruise/tilt,'59 Vette Steering Wheel, A/C
1930 DeSoto Business Coupe- 350 Chevy V8, EFI, 4-wheel disc brakes, Wire Wheels, TH400, S-10 Rear, A/C |
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pauldian
Contributor
Posts: 466
Loc: seligman,arizona
Reg: 05-14-09
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04-23-22 07:24 AM - Post#2840226
In response to GreatNorthWoods
If you're running an original radiator, then 13lb is the correct cap. If you have a replacement aluminum radiator a 15lb won't hurt anything. Check the gasket on your cap and see if the rubber gasket is cracked or brittle. You may have possibly overfilled the radiator a bit and the coolant came out of the overflow pipe. You could always add a coolant overflow kit too.
I agree , If you added any fluid at a certain point it will reach it's own level. Run it awhile and recheck.
| Remember,I'm not always right. But I'M never WRONG ! |
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YOUNG57
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 1333
Loc: Tennessee
Reg: 12-06-10
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04-26-22 09:54 AM - Post#2840349
In response to pauldian
The 1957 original radiator cap was 7 psi, and the coolant level was full at about an inch below the filler neck when cold to allow for expansion when at normal operating temperature. The original radiator had and overflow pipe from the filler neck to down below the chassis to expel over fill during expansion on the ground.
If you use a higher psi rated radiator cap, there is little or no danger of rupture or damage to the system, but the heater control valve does not want to work properly, it tends to be fully open or fully closed with no adjustment.
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Mel Foye
*VIP* Original Founding Member Group
Posts: 5352
Reg: 09-29-00
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04-26-22 01:55 PM - Post#2840356
In response to YOUNG57
Good info on the heater valve. Thanks.
It Was On Fire When I Laid Down. |
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