The Ford Barn

Elf1953 · 11-05-2022, 06:33 PM

I just bought a project Model T supposedly 1922 that has the radiator cap threads on the outside of the neck. The radiator looks like a honey comb pattern. Any thoughts?

J Franklin · 11-05-2022, 08:18 PM

Over the many years these cars were used things got changed. You have a non factory aftermarket or homemade radiator.

rotorwrench · 11-05-2022, 08:19 PM

Corcoran (Peerless) made honeycomb radiators for model T Fords as an aftermarket replacement. I don't think Ford made any like that for model T and later cars.

The copper strips were crimped using special dies. The crimped plates were stacked up to form the honeycomb core and they were then dipped in a solder tray to seal the edges. They work well enough but can not be cleaned like a tube radiator. If they get plugged up then they are done.

This link illustrates how the cores were made. There is a Part I and a Part II.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxt6EN-39Ck

redmodelt · 11-05-2022, 08:32 PM

Aftermarket radiator. Most aftermarket radiators had thread inside the neck like Ford. Sorry can't help much more than that. There were a number of different companies making aftermarket radiators, honeycomb or tube type.

Elf1953 · 11-10-2022, 04:36 PM

Any ideas on where I might find a cap to fit? Or should I figure on having a replacement radiator made?

redmodelt · 11-10-2022, 06:12 PM

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Watch eBay or swap meets but you will need to know what size and thread count you are looking for.

J Franklin · 11-10-2022, 06:14 PM

You should be able to find a cap to fit. I wouldn't buy a new radiator unless the old one didn't work well.

G Baese · 11-10-2022, 08:14 PM

If you know the outside diameter, look for a 'Dog Bone' radiator cap, they seem the have the same thread pitch and will generally fit all of the replacement and accessory Model T radiators with the outside threads that have come through my hands over the last forty years. The early brass radiator replacements, 1916 and before, are a different animal... some those used a hard rubber cap.

11-05-2022, 06:33 PM	#1
Elf1953 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 2	Radiator cap I just bought a project Model T supposedly 1922 that has the radiator cap threads on the outside of the neck. The radiator looks like a honey comb pattern. Any thoughts?

11-05-2022, 08:18 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,964	Re: Radiator cap Over the many years these cars were used things got changed. You have a non factory aftermarket or homemade radiator.

11-05-2022, 08:19 PM	#3
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,440	Re: Radiator cap Corcoran (Peerless) made honeycomb radiators for model T Fords as an aftermarket replacement. I don't think Ford made any like that for model T and later cars. The copper strips were crimped using special dies. The crimped plates were stacked up to form the honeycomb core and they were then dipped in a solder tray to seal the edges. They work well enough but can not be cleaned like a tube radiator. If they get plugged up then they are done. This link illustrates how the cores were made. There is a Part I and a Part II. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxt6EN-39Ck Last edited by rotorwrench; 11-05-2022 at 09:18 PM.

11-05-2022, 08:32 PM	#4
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: Radiator cap Aftermarket radiator. Most aftermarket radiators had thread inside the neck like Ford. Sorry can't help much more than that. There were a number of different companies making aftermarket radiators, honeycomb or tube type. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

11-10-2022, 04:36 PM	#5
Elf1953 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Posts: 2	Re: Radiator cap Any ideas on where I might find a cap to fit? Or should I figure on having a replacement radiator made?

11-10-2022, 06:12 PM	#6
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: Radiator cap Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Watch eBay or swap meets but you will need to know what size and thread count you are looking for. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

11-10-2022, 06:14 PM	#7
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,964	Re: Radiator cap You should be able to find a cap to fit. I wouldn't buy a new radiator unless the old one didn't work well.

11-10-2022, 08:14 PM	#8
G Baese Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ft Collins, CO Posts: 80	Re: Radiator cap If you know the outside diameter, look for a 'Dog Bone' radiator cap, they seem the have the same thread pitch and will generally fit all of the replacement and accessory Model T radiators with the outside threads that have come through my hands over the last forty years. The early brass radiator replacements, 1916 and before, are a different animal... some those used a hard rubber cap.