Radiator cap

[Ron & Patty]

I've done some hills out this way. Climbed the Rocky Mountains in and
out around Denver Colorado. The big one from Panamint Valley to Death
Valley, which some folks won't and the Grape Vine. Both of these are
in California. Oh another good one - California I-5 north into Oregon
in August (over 100 degrees). Never saw more than 195 coolant degrees
with 7lb cap. I'm not sell'n'm just commenting for Tom's benefit.
Heck buy both and watch your gauges.

Ron, No. California
85PT36 6V92

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "badbillybiker"
<badbillybiker@...> wrote:
>
> Hello...
> Just my longwinded $.02 worth...
> A long time ago when car companies werent' so dam greedy... the
> radiators were by today's standards... "heavy duty".
> Back then the radiator had more than enough capacity under normal usage
> that the cap was just that... a cap..
> When corporate greed started kicking in... (worse than it was)they
> finally figured out that by making skinnier and cheaper radiators, they
> could get away with it by finally making the cap & system pressurized.
> It goes like this... the stronger the spring, the higher the pressures
> are and...the thinner the radiator gets until they are at the current
> compromise... greediness, cheapness and of course selling you more
> expensive anti-freeze. Back then you could put ordinary alchohol,
> kerosene or ... a methanol based antifreeze (as in cheap stuff) but as
> the pressure rose, so did the temperature which would boil out the old
> time (cheap stuff) If my memory hasn't failed.. I believe that @ 13
> pounds you are in the super-heated range past 212 degrees. When the cap
> is now removed the fluid expands and wah-lah... boil over...
> Hmm... I think it was for every 1 pound cap pressure, the radiator
> could get hotter by 10 degree before blowing...
> Some of the memories are getting a bit foggy now but the lesson is
> there... I am presuming that due to the nature of a deisel motor, your
> radiator is quite large in capacity and you, in using a 7-9 pound cap
> have been getting away with it because you haven't pushed your unit..
> Wanna' really test your 7 pound cap out... find a long steep grade and
> watch the needle climb... Finally the thermostat is NOT a radiator cap,
> that is for engine temperature regulating. Of course this article is
> subject to bashing etc. PS: My 1950 merc had a no pressure cap and yes,
> you could drive without it...radiator was 3 or more inches thick...
> Bill.. FWIW...
> Get the right mandated cap!
>

[BOB MALONEY]

what is the correct pressure for cap on 87 fc 35? mine has a 4 pound
cap and this does not seem right.
thanks bob maloney
87 fc 35 in ky