The Ford Barn

wcmill · 06-23-2023, 06:04 PM

Hi gents, supposed to drive to a show tomorrow so took the 31 out for a rip and ended up puking rad fluid all over the car. Upon further investigation I stumbled upon my own stupidity and forgot to install the gasket that goes under the flip portion of the cap

!
It’s gone, vanished, probably in last months trash bin. Anyway…..I’m desperate to either make one or improvise so I can drive the car tomorrow.
Any of you guys ever made one of these or have any thoughts on how to cobble something together until I can replace the gasket?? Fat O-ring?? RTV ??
Need something QUICK!

Gary WA · 06-23-2023, 06:39 PM

No RTV! Maybe some cardboard cut your own temp fix. or if you have some cork cut to fit!

eagle · 06-23-2023, 07:08 PM

an O ring works just fine. Even without a gasket it shouldn't really puke out the cap. Make sure you only fill the radiator until it JUST covers the tubes. I have an O ring gasket under my Quail, but even before I put it in it really didn't leak much, more just would seep out very little.

Mulletwagon · 06-23-2023, 08:19 PM

Found a very satisfactory O Ring at my local ACE Hardware.

wcmill · 06-23-2023, 08:25 PM

Thanks guys, I’ll try the o ring fix.
I hope it’s not something worse!

nkaminar · 06-24-2023, 07:36 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I also used the fat O ring.

abachman3 · 06-24-2023, 06:26 PM

Is there a recommended size # for the fat O-ring?

wcmill · 06-24-2023, 07:09 PM

I looked at 3 different places and came up empty today. The OD is 1 7/8”. Or I’m sure the equivalent metric would work as well. I found plenty with the right diameter but none thick enough.
I too am curious at the correct dimensions that would be a successful fit.

Big hammer · 06-24-2023, 07:40 PM

In a standard non pressurized system you shouldn’t get coolant puking out. Run a stiff wire down the overflow pipe, the little pipe under the cap, until it pushes out dirt bug nest rust. Use a cereal box and cut your own gasket, if one isn’t thick enough stack two together. Make sure the coolant level is under the baffle or just above the radiator cooling tubes. Next go to show and enjoy!

arnhemmer · 06-24-2023, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcmill

Thanks guys, I’ll try the o ring fix.
I hope it’s not something worse!

Syder o-ring part number A-18360-go

Jerry Kzoo · 06-25-2023, 06:33 AM

I have a couple of other tips on this.

We were working on a broken speedometer cable the other day and also had coolant puking out and found that the speedo cable with the end broke off makes a good tool to clear out the stoppage in the overflow tube. Now in my toolbox for Model A tools.

Also, if your gasket is not giving a good seal I believe the brass shims for the gas gauge will fit under the gasket to provide slightly more pressure.

Hope this helps. Jerry

old31 · 06-25-2023, 06:56 AM

Yes, the gas gauge shims are very good to use on the radiator.

06-23-2023, 06:04 PM	#1
wcmill Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 55	Moto-meter flip cap gasket Hi gents, supposed to drive to a show tomorrow so took the 31 out for a rip and ended up puking rad fluid all over the car. Upon further investigation I stumbled upon my own stupidity and forgot to install the gasket that goes under the flip portion of the cap! It’s gone, vanished, probably in last months trash bin. Anyway…..I’m desperate to either make one or improvise so I can drive the car tomorrow. Any of you guys ever made one of these or have any thoughts on how to cobble something together until I can replace the gasket?? Fat O-ring?? RTV ?? Need something QUICK!

06-23-2023, 06:39 PM	#2
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket No RTV! Maybe some cardboard cut your own temp fix. or if you have some cork cut to fit! __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com Last edited by Gary WA; 12-30-2023 at 02:36 PM.

06-23-2023, 07:08 PM	#3
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket an O ring works just fine. Even without a gasket it shouldn't really puke out the cap. Make sure you only fill the radiator until it JUST covers the tubes. I have an O ring gasket under my Quail, but even before I put it in it really didn't leak much, more just would seep out very little. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

06-23-2023, 08:19 PM	#4
Mulletwagon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Florida Panhandle Posts: 585	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket Found a very satisfactory O Ring at my local ACE Hardware.

06-23-2023, 08:25 PM	#5
wcmill Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 55	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket Thanks guys, I’ll try the o ring fix. I hope it’s not something worse!

06-24-2023, 07:36 AM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I also used the fat O ring. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-24-2023, 06:26 PM	#7
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 324	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket Is there a recommended size # for the fat O-ring?

06-24-2023, 07:09 PM	#8
wcmill Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 55	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket I looked at 3 different places and came up empty today. The OD is 1 7/8”. Or I’m sure the equivalent metric would work as well. I found plenty with the right diameter but none thick enough. I too am curious at the correct dimensions that would be a successful fit.

06-24-2023, 07:40 PM	#9
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket In a standard non pressurized system you shouldn’t get coolant puking out. Run a stiff wire down the overflow pipe, the little pipe under the cap, until it pushes out dirt bug nest rust. Use a cereal box and cut your own gasket, if one isn’t thick enough stack two together. Make sure the coolant level is under the baffle or just above the radiator cooling tubes. Next go to show and enjoy! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

06-25-2023, 06:33 AM	#11
Jerry Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 173	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket I have a couple of other tips on this. We were working on a broken speedometer cable the other day and also had coolant puking out and found that the speedo cable with the end broke off makes a good tool to clear out the stoppage in the overflow tube. Now in my toolbox for Model A tools. Also, if your gasket is not giving a good seal I believe the brass shims for the gas gauge will fit under the gasket to provide slightly more pressure. Hope this helps. Jerry

06-25-2023, 06:56 AM	#12
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,103	Re: Moto-meter flip cap gasket Yes, the gas gauge shims are very good to use on the radiator.