Radiator Cap....HELP!! (Photos)

[athawk11]

I'm out for a nice little spin. �Willys is heating up a bit more than usual. �Stopped, opened her up...radiator cap leaking. �Drats. �>

First off, I love this cap. �I've seen conversations at the 2A about similar caps. I think mine is original, but I'm not sure. �Mine has a tab...and I haven't seen another with this tab. �If you have information on this cap...as to its originality...its part number...anything at all...please help me. �

I want to keep this. �But as you will see, the rubber seal is broken. �Can I find a replacement seal? �If so, where?

I was able to find the Patent information. The number is still pretty clear on the cap. �It was patented by Stant...in 1928. �But that's all I know.

We are sharp buggers here. �Please don't make me ask the 2A guys...please.

Tim

[F Bill]

Unless one of the specialty jeep parts guys like Ron Fitzpatrick or Peter Debella sells the old style seal separately you may need to buy a new cap and swap the seal over, assuming it has the same style seal.

[Matto]

Tim,
        For a temporary fix you could try Super glue on the broken seal. I have a "O Ring" splicing kit and have made several custom sized seals for underwater cameras that have held up for years. The rubber on your cap may be too brittle.
Matt

[aboyandhisdog]

Hey Tim,  I can't help you with your cap, but I can tell you that the only local auto parts store that sells 4lb. caps that fit is Napa.  Part # 703-1419.  They are $8 and at least you can stay mobile until you get your cap repaired.  

[athawk11]

Awesome!  Thanks Tom.  I do remember seeing yours posts about a 4lb cap.

My Napa has one in stock.  I'm heading to Napa in a couple minutes!  I still want to fix this one.  Has anyone seen this type on a Willys before?

Tim

[athawk11]

I did pick up a replacement from Napa.  Their online picture looked similar to my cap.  I was hoping I could use the seal off it.  Turned out to be a workable 4lb cap, but the design is different.  

I was up and running, (Tom, thanks for the tip) when, I believe, my water pump started to fail.  (See Water Pump...When it Rains, it Pours)

As Bill suggested, I will try the suppliers for a new seal.  I am hopeful.  

I would like to know more about making seals.  Matto, maybe you could post some info on this process.

Tim

[Matto]

Tim,
 ï¿½ � �Here's a link to the Grainger splice kit I use.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/LOCTITE-Oring-Splicing-Kit-5A234
 I ran out of the "instant adhesive" long ago but super glue seems to work fine. You can make your own splice block by boring a hole the diameter of the O ring material your using in a small block of wood and using a razor blade to trim your material to length. You want a clean 90' cut for a good butt splice. The corner notch helps align the two sides when gluing. You don't need to by lengths of O ring material either, you can just cut longer ones down to the size you need.
Matt

[athawk11]

Thanks Matt.  This is helpful.

Everytime I need an O-ring seal, I can never find the size.  So, I head to Ace or HD, search through the wall of hell for 10 minutes, only to discover the size I need is the only size they ran out of.
 

Tim