VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Viking Radiator Cap

Is there supposed to be a gasket or anything in the grove on the cap base part that screws onto the radiator? Mine doesn't seal off that great when you put the Viking onto the base and wondered if that is why. It doesn't seal good between the Viking and the base. Just to clear that up. If it is, what type should it be rubber or cork.
Thanks

The new reproductions come with a rubber gasket that goes on the base and seals it to the Viking head.

You can see the groove in this photo. Unfortunately the gasket isn't in place in this photo.

I am glad someone brought up the topic of these caps. I ventured into the world of six cylinder Chevrolets a few weeks ago and bought a 31 (The one that was listed in the G&D for the past two months) The first thing I did was purchase one of these caps on e-bay. I wanted a used one to match the "used" look of the car. I did not know that there is a lower part to the cap, so needless to say it is not doing me any good without it, so three questions:

1)Is the lower part around anywhere, either repro or used?

2)What would one call it if I were to place a wanted ad for the part and if I were to find one what would be a fair price?

3)Do any of you have one for sale?

Thanks
John (I should have stayed with the 348's)

The Viking Radiator Cap consists of two parts; the top half (which I call the Viking "topper") and the bottom half (which I call the cap).

There are two types of "caps" used for the accessory Viking. The 1929-30 cap which is a screw-on, and the 1931 which is a twist-on (also known as a bayonet cap). The complete Viking cap assembly is being reproduced but I'm not aware if just the bottom half is available.

I have seen many of the Viking "toppers" for sale but I don't recall seeing just the bottom half for sale.

:) :grin:

John, this probably isn't the way you want to go, but, I have seen a couple of the viking toppers that had been bolted onto the original screw on radiator cap. One looked fairly decent the cap had been replated after the hoke was drilled to bolt the topper onto the cap, it may also have had some smoothing done to the top of the cap

I was thinking of doing that, This one is for fun!!!! We are about to take it out now for the second time!!!!
John

Hummm... that got me to thinking... I was going to get a new one for my car... would you be interested in buying the existing one that I have?

By the way, John's "new" car can be seen at
http://vcca.org/album/index2.html

Well, took my "new" car out for the second ride since I bought it, for a Sunday afternoon ice cream cone and a Fathers Day visit to the cemetary. All was pretty good, but..... had a flat tire in front of my Father-in-Law's grave.

So Bill, what are you selling? also thanks for the picture posting

John

Did you notice that you're on the previous page also?
http://vcca.org/album/index.html

(Note: That might change pages after I update the photos one more time tonight.)

John, I'll email you after we get back from our trip...We're heading off to the VCCA Northwest Meet and I'm a couple of hours behind in loading up the trailer and truck, etc.

I have an original,complete Viking cap.It has a rubber gasket in the groove between the top and base.The cam action of twisting the top to close the cap tightens it to the base to stop leaks.Hope this helps.

Just checked my Viking radiator cap as well and mine also has a rubber gasket in the groove.

:) :grin:

Looks like I am going to make one. Drove mine yesterday and it leaked out the top. Are any of you running a thermostat? This might be why it is trying to burb out the cap cause I am running a 160 degree one.
`

Skip is the rubber gasket actually rubber? Like how thick do you think it is. I do presume you need a durable stiff piece if you are going to make one, or can the rubber gasket be bought? If so where.

Thanks

Yes, it is definitely a rubber gasket. It is also fairly thick but I can't tell you how thick because it is still attached to the cap itself.

The rubber gasket is not available, however, you might want to try a rubber "O" ring of the correct diameter and see how that works.

:) :grin:

Ok let me ask you this. Does your gasket pertrude below the bottom of the cap, or is it close to being flush with the bottom?

Thanks

I'm not following what you are asking since the rubber gasket sits in the groove of the cap base and it sticks up some above the cap base.

:confused: :) :grin:

It would have to stick up from the looks of things. I have made a rubber gasket and put in the top but it doesn't seal off enough for the antifreeze to get through the inset in the lower cap. So, if we knew how much it sticks up from the base and measured how deep the groove was, we could come up with the thickness of the gasket.

Ok I think I am mixed up. I was thinking the rubber gasket fit into the grove on the top flip-up part and not the base unit. Can someone post a picture of one with the correct old gasket

Thanks

Fits in groove on base. I tried making one to go in top but that won't seal off against the base.

Check out Bill Barker's photo on page one. The gasket looks just like the groove in the base cap except that it sticks up some above the groove and it is flat on top.

:) :grin:

The rubber gaskets used in 2-1/2" fire hose couplings are just about right. You might want to stop by the local fire station with the cap and see if they have a few gaskets lying around. You can cut them to fit exactly and then use either superglue or o-ring cement to reclose the gap. Hope that helps.

All the Best, Chip.

Just an update. For those of you wanting to know, the gasket from an 1 1/2 firehouse is the right size but you will have to take two and make one. I can't cut a gasket that fits the groove any better than this one so I just cut another one to finish it out since it liked just a little being large enough.