Boiled Over In Winter.

[RalphM]

This is how I drove my AV8 during the last week in October, we hadn’t got any snow yet. Latest I’ve ever driven it in the year.

 

[GB SISSON]

Test drove an International Travelall with a perkins diesel. Owner had a roll-up window shade mounted at the bottom of the radiator. There was a ball chain to raise it and a clever v-notched bracket on the dash to set it at desired height. As a cabinet maker I used formica scraps stored behind the seat of my diesel converted '59 f350, but often had to pull over and switch up or remove.

 

[RalphG]

Examining the radiator the next day I see where the leak blew out. The seam between the two halves of the top tank appears to be separating just above the fan. It might be an old solder patch that couldn't stand the pressure, can't be sure. But it looks like I need to put my poor soldering skills to the test and try to fix the seam. Makes me wonder if the pressure cap is too high or working at all? That was quite a jet of anti freeze blowing out that hole and in all the confusion I did not notice if any was coming out the overflow at the bottom of the rad.

 

[JSeery]

The pressure cap values should be fairly low on these models correct?

 

[RalphG]

The pressure cap values should be fairly low on these models correct?

I noticed in the "thermostats" thread there was mention of a 4 pound pressure cap. I had a look at the radiator that was in the trunk of the 53 Merc I got amost a year ago and it looks pretty good. Actually better than the one I have in the 52. No obvious breaks or dents and not too dirty that a little cleaning wouldn't fix. I guess a pressure test might be smart before I went to the work of installing it in the 52.

 

[RalphG]

Answering my own question here. I was cleaning up the spare 53 radiator this morning and noticed that it says 4 pounds right on the cap so there it is. Assuming it is original or equivalent replacement.