Radiator Caps

Post by **shymoggie** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:16 pm

Hi all,

Our moggie has an Ital 1300 engine and a minor rad. Have you any idea what pressure cap to fit ? I currently have a 13psi cap and suspect its letting the water out... due to the fact the water keeps pouring out of the overflow when the car gets warm - although I've yet to change the stat as it may just be cooking up due to a stuck stat.

Does anyone have any ideas ?

Thanks
Jim

Post by **Cam** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 11:02 pm

The 13 or 15 pound caps do not seal the standard Moggy radiator as they are shorter than the original 4 pound caps (compare both and you should see what I mean). They fit but they don't seal, so it's like driving around with no radiator cap on!

I have a tuned 1380 Ital engine in mine (approx 120 BHP) and Mine runs fine (even in high summer in traffic) with the standard 4 pound cap.

Also don't forget that if you fill the radiator right to the top then some will leak out until it finds it's level (about 1/2" from the top??). This will happen whatever cap you use as the water expands when hot, forces some out and then contracts when cool leaving a gap at the top.

Post by **Scott** » Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:44 am

Shy,
If you do manage to get a higher rated cap to seal, the top radiator tank won't be able to handle the extra pressure.
Stick with the 4psi cap.

Post by **shymoggie** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:36 am

The confusion I had was due to the mismatched engine & rad.
"Modern" Ital engine, older Moggie rad. I initially went for the moggie cap and no-one locally could find one, (QH don't list one!)
So I plumped for the 13lb ital one. All was well until the car got toasty warm (the heater isn't that bad really) all of a sudden heating cold, engine unhappy, no water and a strong burning oily smell.... I reckon I was well on my way to heat siezing the old gal. However after a cool down and a BIG pot of water everything seems okay again.
The nice chap who's fettling the car at the moment thinks he has a box of caps - old mog ones - lying around his workshop so job done for now - but I did have to remind him how to fix an airlocked heater !!!!!

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:56 am

Shy
I assume you belong to the club as within the mag there are listed most of the specialists with reduced prices from some, for a quick turnaround sometimes 24hr you can can try Bull Motif or East Sussex Minors http://www.morrisminorspares.co.uk/ the rad caps are only a couple of quid.