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#1 |
72 Cheyenne
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,086
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okay, how was I able to drive around for 2 days without my rad cap?
I was working on the truck on Sunday checking fluids and such and today when I pulled into my driveway I saw my radiator cap laying there, never even came close to overheating, city and freeway driving. I was amazed but somebody out there probably has a story of when they drove around for a year without one
![]() and no, I'm not an idiot! I don't understand why it didn't get hot, especially the way I drive. Last edited by dion; 09-16-2003 at 09:26 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Salmon Arm, B.C. Canda
Posts: 73
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Your coolant will still flow without a rad cap. It's just that the cooling system will not cool as well without the pressure. That's why when you blow a small hole in your rad... Undo the rad cap... Sometimes you get a lot farther without the pressure there.
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#3 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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The pressure raises the boiling point. If your engine was not heating it up to X degrees, (what does 50/50 boil at...is it 275?) then the pressure was not neded.
Straight water boils at 212 if not mistaken, and I know I start to panic if the guage gets over the 200 degree tick myself. |
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#4 |
72 Cheyenne
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,086
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thanks guys, learn something new everyday. I was always told you needed the pressure.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: missouri city, tx
Posts: 4,486
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reallly? thatts aweeesooommm!
__________________
70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9" |
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#6 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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You only need the pressure if the heat is high enough...or if you are going through Denver.
![]() I had a rad that was literally falling apart and had to make a trip from Tx to Ky. I just pulled the little finger up on the cap, (I always get the finger type) and drove it 1000 miles there, 1200 miles while in Ky for a month, and then 1000 miles home. No problems at all. |
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#7 |
Cantankerous Geezer
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bel Aire, KS
Posts: 6,264
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Chevy trucks didn't use a pressurized cap until 1952, when they started using a 4 lb. cap.
__________________
Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine. ![]() |
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