I have a 30 and 31 Model A and would like to do a pressure test on the radiator to look for leaks. I have a radiator pressure tester with quite a few adaptors for the cap but, haven't been able to locate one for the Model A's because they aren't typically pressurized systems. Was wondering if anyone had ever come across an adaptor cap to test pressure in the Model A's. Thanks.
Radiator Pressure Testing
- Thread starter johnma
- Start date
Keith True
Well-known member
Yes.You block off the cap,inlet and outlet,and adapt your pressure tester to the overflow tube.Two pounds is more than enough.
Joe K
Well-known member
And don't fill the radiator with water. Use air. And use a water/soap solution applied to the outside using about three drops of dishwashing liquid in a gallon of water.
Avatar's "Big Brother" arrived in August and I parked it in the garage. Of course the season changed while I wasn't looking and we had a couple of nights below freezing. I came out to BB and found a puddle of water underneath. Drained immediately but I knew what had happened.
So we'll be following this...
Joe K
Avatar's "Big Brother" arrived in August and I parked it in the garage. Of course the season changed while I wasn't looking and we had a couple of nights below freezing. I came out to BB and found a puddle of water underneath. Drained immediately but I knew what had happened.
So we'll be following this...
Joe K
Big hammer
Well-known member
In 1970 I had my 31 radiator worked on from a place that was supposed to know A radiators , they pressure tested at 15 psi and fixed many leaks also pinched off a couple of tubes . I wasn’t happy, why would you pressure test at 15 psi when it’s a non pressurized radiator ?! I got the deer in your headlights expression !
Joe K
Well-known member
One imagines it might have been a concern over original "lap seamed" tubes.
The original model A radiators were all made with "round" tubes, lap seamed. Replacement radiators MIGHT be round tubes, but are probably "oval" (more "flattened oval") and either type made from SEAMLESS tube.
Seamless tube obviously can take more pressure than a seamed tube.
Snyders sells a water pump impeller made for use with these "modern" radiators. The impeller is cut down to present less flow since oval tubes are a sort of "resistance" to water flow compared to round tubes.
Of course the converse to reduced flow is "better heat transfer" - which is why modern radiators are made modern. And you might be able to get by with a $120 two row aluminum radiator versus a $1200 brassworks radiator.
CORRECTION: 1930-31 radiators are "oval" tubes - 3 rows 102 FLAT tubes (i.e. "oval") Still seamed though. Trucks had 4 rows FLAT 136 Tubes.
Memory wise I live in a 1928-29 world. But I'm not above checking for accuracy.
Joe K
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