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Radiator Cap Recommendations
- Thread starter Rockonp04
- Start date
I installed a Gates 31526 cap on my stock series V radiator last summer. It is for a 0.75" filler neck depth. Stant 10228 mentioned by Dan is for the same filler neck depth.
Measure the filler neck depth on your radiator to confirm the cap you need.
Mike
Measure the filler neck depth on your radiator to confirm the cap you need.
Mike
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DanR
Diamond Level Sponsor
Rock, You will find what I believe a lot of the Alpines have a very tight clearance around the radiator cap area. Most likely the radiator slots that secure the radiator to the bulkhead have worn a bit allowing it to drop down enough to cause your problem. I found it necessary to 'lift" the radiator to the highest point I can before I tighten the (4) bolts.
65beam
Donation Time
Mike is right about the Gates cap. I have two new series 5 caps bought from SS and they are the Gates 31526. They're 9lb caps.
Bob,
Did you mean to say the 31526 cap is 7 lbs instead of 9 lbs? I bought the Gates 31526 cap because I wanted to drop down from a 9 lbs cap to a 7 lbs cap. The 31526 cap is marked as 7 lbs.
Here are the product details from gates.com:
Mike
mamoose124
Gold Level Sponsor
So, what is the significance between the 7 & 9 lbs caps?
65beam
Donation Time
If you're using the square tank with the pressure relief valve on the top of the tank along with the radiator for a series 2 you don't use a pressure cap. The correct cap only seals the fill opening and over flow is controlled by the valve on the tank. The extra 2 lbs of the 9 lb cap must not mean much or Rick wouldn't sell them to Alpine owners.
For later series Alpines, I thought some folks have indicated that 9 lbs is more likely to make the stock heater core bulge out its sides, which can make it really hard to remove. Apparently 7 lbs is enough of a reduction to avoid the heater core bulging issue. I don't think it makes much of a difference in cooling capacity.
Mike
Mike
65beam
Donation Time
I've seen the problem with the heater core bulging if owners used a cap rated at higher pressure such as a 13lb.. The parts stores and owners saw that the higher pressure cap would fit so they used it. I've seen several Alpines out there that have a high pressure cap in use. I noticed a couple at this years United. The problem with the bulging core has been corrected if you buy one of the new cores being sold today. The ends have ribs stamped in them. I have the new core installed in three of our cars.
65beam
Donation Time
If your series 2 has the over flow tank with the brass relief valve on the right side you do not use a pressure cap. The cap is strictly for keeping the system sealed. It's not your typical pressure cap. The pressure relief valve does all of that work. If you have a tank without the relief valve then you use a pressure cap. The correct cap is available from Sunbeam Specialties and I would assume Classic has them also. 
This car has the correct cap from SS.
This car has the correct cap from SS.
Warren
Bronze Level Sponsor
Hecho en Mexico ..... printed on most of them gags me.... Seen some that are not marked that way. One made by Murray, who follows the AMF business model except they do not make Harley's, bowling balls or sailboats made out of stryofoam. I can't what fits exactly on your Alpine I'd say refer back to Dan's posting. I like the Mustang ones that are chromed .
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