I am about to get a radiator for my Flathead, (probably Walker) what are the issues with having the radiator cap in the stock position?? Does anyone run it this way??
Fords from 1932 to 1953 used the flathead engine. For the 53 I'd use the stock position. For probably the 32 you have it's up to you. When asking questions it helps when everyone mentions what vehicle and engine is being used. If this were NAPA or Auto Zone they'd ask how many doors and what color. That's probably not important now.
Sorry....that is pretty ****** vague, what I should have written was....Im getting a radiator for my Flathead, it's for a 32 sedan using an original style 32 grille shell. Flathead is 8ba with early style heads. The radiators I've seen all have the radiator cap located between the two top inlets not through to the hole in the grille shell. What are the issues with radiator cap location? Thanks
Yeah I don't know, I was tossing up between Walker or Br*** Works or US Radiator? But leaning towards Walker because of the recommendations from others here.
The only concern I would have using the original location is finding a good original style radiator cap. HRP
As HRP says finding a n original style cap to hold acceptable pressure. In doing this you will need to fit a new filler neck obviously. I have seen it done with a modern cap attached toto a dummy original on top. This did require some clever thinking.
Bob Drake is planning to make an original radiator for the 32. It might be worth waiting for it. I am! Maybe Bob can tell us when it's due out as there are many people here who could use an accurate flathead V8 '32 radiator. Ed Twitter @edsrodshop
Thanks for the feedback..So the repro radiator caps are basically just ornamental, they don't really hold any pressure, correct ? As stated I would need a pressurised cap and then the 32 cap over that. Hmmmmm.
The US Radiator is as good as it gets,,Why pay for others advertising costs? I have used 4 from US and they are fine
Be sure and tell Walker to make the top water hose pipes the correct size to match your early style heads. They will do this very easily. Also, check to make sure your lower Walker radiator water pipes are correct size and location to match your water pumps. These photos are of a Walker Cobra radiator used with an 8BA in a 40 Ford. Radiator is now 14 years old. Very good radiator. Run distilled water with antifreeze. Can't comment on your radiator cap question. Oh, buy their shroud if it can fit your situation. Click on pic to enlarge.
Reading all the comments and I have a question as well. My aluminum radiator has the fill neck on the backside, but I'd like to put a 'dummy' cap on top to fill the original hole in the shell. My question is, has anyone every epoxied a 'dummy' neck on an aluminum radiator just to mount a cap??? Or maybe silicone? Hmmmm
On the cap I had (I ***ume reproduction) you could remove a screw (bolt) and the stuff on the bottom of the cap came off. I made a strip of metal (approx 3/4" wide, 1/8" thick and about 5" long) with a hole in the center. Place the strip inside the shell. Place the cap on the top of the shell. Install a bolt going into the cap to hold everything together. Mine is a Walker radiator with a cap under the hood and an original shell. Charlie Stephens
The original cap was, if rated at all, just 4#. Probably what any early car rad cap would be that mounts on a flat surface with a spring washer and a gasket. An original spec radiator for 32 or any other early Ford that has a grille would have a mighty small customer base for any hope of recovering your money invested in making a production run.
I did as suggested and found out from the guys at Drake's that their cap is not pressurized. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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