My stock 39 Master 85 is in need of radiator repair or new. I contacted the Filling Station for a price. They stated they only have "pressurized" radiators available. They indicate first year for pressurized was 1948, and had a tube running down the side, like an overflow tube. My car has a 12# cap, and also has the overflow tube. They also indicated this year should have a 4 or7# cap. Would appreciate a clarification, and maybe a better source for a radiator. Filling Station is about $500 + $100 freight. Thanks, Tom
No radiator shops in your area? A 39 had a no pressure system same as my 38 I believe. You don't need a pressure cap unless you have a pressurized system. The overflow on my 38 is below the radiator neck so a pressure cap would have no effect.
VCCA Member 43216 Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet. 1938 HB Business Coupe 1953 210 Sedan
A pressure cap requires a seat for the spring loaded gasket to seal against. If your car has its original radiator, there is no seat and no pressure is being created. You could have a 50# cap (if they existed) and it would not make any difference. If you are building pressure, your overflow pipe is plugged.
So I had a new radiator made for my 38 Master, a few years ago. I think I purchased it through The Filling Station and it was made to order by the Brassworks. I had to cut some metal on the car to make it fit. After all the expense of getting it, trying to get them to replace it or modify it was out of the question. I opted for the pressurized version which is quite nice. However I cannot run it unpressurized. That is because the tank isn't vey deep and the flow from the top hose hits the area where the neck is. The tank portion is not nearly as deep as the original.
My 1951 1 Ton is now on the road! My 38 Master 4 Door is also now on the road .
OK, my radiator looks the same as your picture. Apparently someone in past years put a 12# cap on the non-pressurized system. After seeing some of the posts it looks like repairs is the best idea. Thanks for all the info.
I had a new core put in and reused the original tanks in my 39. It has been about 10 years and it has been running cool ever since. I think it was about $650 at the time at a traditional radiator shop.
