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| | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 677 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 677 | After reading about "Radiator Cap -- Right pressure? " in the big bolts forum now has me wondering what should the pressure rating on my 51, Im running a 350, If Im not mistaken it should be around 15-16 psi but Im not sure...any one know for sure ?
Todd
Some people are like Slinkies, Their not really good for nothing... But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs. 1951 3100 350 TBI Gallery Toddzilla... "$old" | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 | If you're running the original radiator, a high pressure cap will destroy it. It was designed for a 4-lb. cap, I believe. Later models ran a tubular type radiator that will handle much higher pressures than the honeycomb core that was used with the original 6-cylinders.
If you've fitted a modern design radiator, or had yours recored with a tubular type core, the 14 to 16 lb. cap is correct. Otherwise, run a 180 degree thermostat, and plenty of fan, to be sure the temperature stays below 200 degrees at all times, and run a 7-lb. cap, max.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 677 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 677 | Thanks bud, I did buy a new 3 row (Desert) Radiator with the automatic trans cooler build it, so I should run a 14-16 cap ?
Todd
Some people are like Slinkies, Their not really good for nothing... But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs. 1951 3100 350 TBI Gallery Toddzilla... "$old" | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,763 | Sounds right to me! Tubular construction radiators were designed to run a high pressure cap, which is what you've got now. It gives you a lot more safety factor in case you hit a slow traffic jam, have air conditioning, or run a trans cooler, which it sounds like you do. An auto trans can put a LOT of heat load into a radiator, ditto with air conditioning because all the heat from the condenser gets dumped right back onto the radiator.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 677 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 677 |
Some people are like Slinkies, Their not really good for nothing... But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs. 1951 3100 350 TBI Gallery Toddzilla... "$old" | | |
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