Which radiator cap rating for my 62 Bird.

[Guest]

I need a new expansion tank cap. Should it be rated for 13 lbs or 15-18? I am seeing conflicting info when I google it.

[YellowRose]

Which radiator cap rating for my 62 Bird.

Tim, when you download the 1962 Shop Manual, and print it out, I think you will find that the answer to your question is 13lb. If I am wrong, someone can correct me, but, as memory serves me, that is what it is for our Squarebirds, and I think for the Bulletbirds...

[Guest]

I just searched for the info in the tech library. I have a 13 on it now, was going to go to a 15-18 rated cap as that is out there as the one to use but now reading the info here, appears 13 is what I should stick with.

[jopizz]

Never put a higher psi cap on your car than it is designed for. 13lb is correct.

John

[Guest]

Cool I will buy a 13 then. Mine has a 13 on it now, rather old with one of those pressure release levers on it. That is OEM?

[jopizz]

No. The release lever type cap is not OEM.

John

[Guest]

I put a new 13 psi cap on it. The reason I did was lately after a drive where it gets to running temp once I park it, the expansion tank is allowing a small amount of rad fluid go out (maybe a half a cup of fluid) the overflow line.
The car appears based off the gauge not to be overheating.
I did top off the tank to the bottom of the opening after I replaced the old radiator cap as its rubber seals were hard as rocks.

[YellowRose]

Which radiator cap rating for my 62 Bird.

As I recall, you are NOT supposed to fill up the expansion tank like that. When you do, you do not allow any room for heated water to expand, and it will start running out your drain hose... You should only have a small amount of water in the expansion tank to give it plenty of room to expand, say about a quarter of the tank, something like that. John or others can tell you how much, as I have forgotten..

[Guest]

ah, **** I am way over then. The last cap was letting air past its seal, you could hear it after you drove it, a fizzle sound, I checked the tank it was bone dry after a drive and once cooled down.
That is why I replaced that cap. I will take some of the fluid out and see what she does.
Now that I drive it more then it is used too I do pre and post drive look overs of the motor and the like just to see if any things starts leaking or who knows what.

[jopizz]

Ray is correct about the level of coolant. If you still have that hissing sound after replacing the cap then you have a pin hole leak in the tank which is very common.

John

[Guest]

well I filled it WAY up. I will take some out tonight and see what happens, listen for the hissing sound also.

[YellowRose]

Which radiator cap rating for my 62 Bird.

IF, it turns out you do have a pin hole leak, that tank can be taken off and repaired, usually...

[Guest]

Yea I had a 65 Bird that had a bad tank, I was able to get it repaired.
The two times it puked it was out the hose, have never seen a leak on the tank. I prob need to do a pressure test on it and see if it leaks doing that.

[Guest]

Seems I was just over filled. I thought it was low not thinking it needed that open area to expand. All good.