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| | | | Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 235 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 235 | If I am reading the manual correctly the radiator pressure cap should be set at 4psi, per the 1954 shop manual page 6-78. I cant put my finger on it but somewhere I remember reading it's safe to test the radiator and the fresh air heater core to 10psi. In SW Florida I will be running a 180 degree stat. Just checking to see if the test pressure is correct for both.
Thanks Shade Baby | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,768 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,768 | Just IMHO, but testing at 2.5 times the rated pressure seems like playing russian roulette with your heater core. The heater cores are known for being much more sensitive than the radiator when it comes to excessive pressures. I'd be hesitant to pressure test at 10psi, especially if I had any concerns with how accurate my pressure gauge/regulator is. More often than not I seem to recall hearing "whoops" stories about cores springing "sprinkler" like leaks. 
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 10,997 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 10,997 | Standard practice in the plumbing and pressure vessel industry is to test at 150% of working pressure. If you have a 4 psi cap, that would mean testing at 6 psi. If it doesn't leak at 6 psi, then you're good to go.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,187 Insomniac | | Insomniac Joined: Jul 2000 Posts: 2,187 | Are you testing with air or water? Testing with air can be dangerous; I wouldn't want to go over 5 psi.
Gord 🇨🇦
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1954 1/2 ton 235 4 speed
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,740 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,740 | Radiator pressure testers are simply hand air pumps that attach to the radiator like a pressure cap. Test the system at whatever the manufacturer's rating was originally- - - - -most 1950s systems were either 0 PSI, 4 PSI, or maybe 7PSI. "It's not rocket surgery!" Here's an inexpensive kit that will test just about any cooling system or radiator cap made in the past 60 years or more: www.ebay.com/itm/336134889002?Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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