Radiator cap vs Quail vs Motometer?????

[al's28/33]

I use the motometer with wings on the "A" and flying quail on the V8, best of all worlds

[DougVieyra]

Burner31, post # 19 . . . .

It is important to note that not every 1925 Chevrolet (third photo - on right) had the Radiator Mascot as pictured - although those that did - did help Chevrolet boost sales !

[Cornishman]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

True but, the whole thing can twist off if one has a firm grip and strength.

If people go to those lengths to steal items at car shows in the USA that's yet another reason that I'm glad I don't live there.

[Cornishman]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Even with the little tabs w Allen screws o decent grip can twist them right off..

Don't leave ur car unattended and if u must, leave it at home

How as they are not attached to a screw thread? The thermometer and wings could be screwed off but not the cap itself.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Cornishman

How as they are not attached to a screw thread? The thermometer and wings could be screwed off but not the cap itself.

Those two allen screws that hold the entire cap to the radiator are not secured to the radiator. They are there to tighten the two brass tabs to the radiator. This allows the base to be twisted off.

[Capt Quahog]

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Moto meters are protected as their caps are securely held by Allen bolts screwed into tabs that secure onto the radiator.

A MotoMeter real or repro, to a petty sneak thief makes for a fine shiny trophy.

Always thought that locking caps (so-called) were a total joke. The MotoMeter is attached with a threaded nut. Any goober with a 5/8" wrench can twist open the cap and have the MotoMeter off with a few counter-clockwise turns. Just swapped out and exchanged MotoMeters on the 31' Ford this afternoon. Operation took perhaps three-minutes to accomplish.

As a previous poster stated . . . "Keep an eye on your car". Then too, if the vehicle is going to be parked for a time unattended, then perhaps removal of the MotoMeter might be prudent. Better the owner pull it off than some crook creep.

[oldforder]

I know this is an OLD thread, but thought I would ad my 2cents. Here in Nebraska, even our 2 bog cities,(Omaha and Lincoln) when I first started going to shows, I always had either myself or my wife stay with the car and our "stuff". after a while I figured out it was not necessary, as others did not. We have never had Anything taken, or even moved in years of going to shows. Of course, everybody kinda keeps an eye on everybody else stuff it seems, and the no so honest spectators don't know who belongs to which car.

[Chevmn56]

Originally Posted by DougVieyra

Burner31, post # 19 . . . .

It is important to note that not every 1925 Chevrolet (third photo - on right) had the Radiator Mascot as pictured - although those that did - did help Chevrolet boost sales !

cant help notice the pretty good leak under they Chevy pic!!

[700rpm]

The only thing I ever had stolen off my A was a Zenith 3 carb. It happened at a MAFCA National meet, and the thief took the time to replace it with a crappy Zenith 2. So I got about 10 miles out of the meet and couldn't figure why my car was running so badly, until I stopped and opened the hood. Imagine my surprise.

[Purdy Swoft]

The damage that those type caps do to the radiator neck just isn't worth using any of them for me. I found an original stainless steel cap on eBay that I use on our roadster , fits perfectly and doesn't leak . I like the standard look and some of the vendors now offer pretty good repro caps . The thermo quail caps never worked for me anyway and leaked under acceleration .

[ursus]

Maybe one of the electrical wizards on the board could devise a way to route current through the coil in a way that would make a shocking impression on a would-be thief?

[Synchro909]

I protect the radiator cap by taking the good one off and leaving it in the trunk, then I worried about some idiot dropping some crap into the rad, like a cigarette butt so I put on the oldest, crappiest looking cap I can find and try to park near a car fitted with a nice cap.

[F.M.]

On the Original 1928/29 Stanco & Jarvis Caps both Motor Meter & Quail, they both have an Allen Head set screw on the back side of it.. Unless you carry around a Allen wrench with you or the screw is lose, it cant come off.. This because the screw will not get past the threads on the radiator no matter how strong you are..

[glenn in camino]

I think all model As came new with just a radiator cap.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Several years ago our club was running a small swap meet at the LeMay family collection and we had a dozen or so cars in a line along a exit road to the property, kinda away from the action. Someone walking out, swiped the radiator cap from one of the cars at that the far end. Only time I’ve ever heard of it. Fairly common for things to dissapear at a swap meet though. Gotta pay attention.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

The only thing I ever had stolen off my A was a Zenith 3 carb. It happened at a MAFCA National meet, and the thief took the time to replace it with a crappy Zenith 2. So I got about 10 miles out of the meet and couldn't figure why my car was running so badly, until I stopped and opened the hood. Imagine my surprise.

That really sucks. I've also had way more than my share of stuff stolen.

[pooch]

Funny thing happened to me in 76.

Was parading the cast of The Sullivans around Sydney.

We stopped for lunch and I grabbed my 28 plymouth radiator winged cap and put it in my pocket and raced off to the nearest pub for lunch.

Just as i ordered a beer, a copper tapped me on the shoulder and accused me of just having stolen a radaitor cap off a car outside.

Took a bit of convincing to prove I was the owner of the car and the cap...

[denis4x4]

Been using an original motometer for 25 years and attending shows all over the southwest. Never had an issue with the theft of personal stuff or car parts.

[1931 flamingo]

I wish I had a dollar for every photo that's been taken of my "patina'd" quail every show season.
Paul in CT

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by ursus

Maybe one of the electrical wizards on the board could devise a way to route current through the coil in a way that would make a shocking impression on a would-be thief?

That's pretty easy, go to a farm supply company and buy an electric fence charger! They have their own battery you might need to have a remote switch, or you will get shocked getting in :-)
My father in law got tried of finding his truck out of gas so he hooked up a charger and the next morning he found the gas cap on the ground, no gas was removed :-)
BUT the lawyers may be busy :-(