38plymouth Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 I desperately need a radiator cap, bernbaums shows a part number of j-103 for 37-38 plymouth. Is there anywhere else to find one? I need one by this weekend. The local auto parts store don't show anything. Quote
RobertKB Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 They are different than the newer style. I have a '38 Chrysler which would have the style you need. I do not have a spare. Check ebay as they are often on there. If not, pay Andy what he is asking. Quote
38plymouth Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Posted May 19, 2009 They are different than the newer style. I have a '38 Chrysler which would have the style you need. I do not have a spare. Check ebay as they are often on there. If not, pay Andy what he is asking. I would, but, I don't think I can get it shipped to me by the weekend. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 What about the one mentioned in this truck thread? http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=14924&highlight=radiator Quote
38plymouth Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Posted May 19, 2009 What about the one mentioned in this truck thread?http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=14924&highlight=radiator I ordered one from NAPA and went to pick it up today. It's wrong and fit's cars from the 40's. They can't get anything like it. It grabs the radiator in a different way than all the other caps they sell. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 Can you post a pic of what your radiator neck looks like? The one on my truck is bigger then my 40s car and a 4lb one is available from napa. And what happened to your old cap? They are no pressure so the condition of the cap isn't all that important. Quote
38plymouth Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Posted May 19, 2009 I won't be able to get a picture of it today. I took the cap off last night to check the fluid and when I twisted it back on the inner part with the ears that holds it to the radiator broke off. It turns out it was rusted inside enough to come apart. Quote
dirty dan Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 I don't know if you noticed, but you put your cab on wrong. Quote
dirty dan Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 I would, but, I don't think I can get it shipped to me by the weekend. If you call him, I bet he'll FedEx it to you. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 I don't know if you noticed, but you put your cab on wrong. Its a convertible. Much easier to work on the drivetrain that way. Quote
dirty dan Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 Its a convertible. Much easier to work on the drivetrain that way. OH! Well that makes sense then. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 Its a convertible. Much easier to work on the drivetrain that way. It's kind of like a Cab-Over, but his hinges backwards. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 I won't be able to get a picture of it today. I took the cap off last night to check the fluid and when I twisted it back on the inner part with the ears that holds it to the radiator broke off. It turns out it was rusted inside enough to come apart. By your description is sounds like the lock tabs are on the inside rather than on the outside. If that's true it sounds like many fuel caps. Maybe you can find a fuel cap that'll fit and drill out the vent so it'll breath better. Quote
Reg Evans Posted May 19, 2009 Report Posted May 19, 2009 I have a box of these NOS caps that list a 37-38 Dodge and Plymouth on the lid but they don't fit my 38 Dodge. The diameter of the radiator filler hole would have to be approx. 1 5/8" in diameter for this cap to work. The cap pictured on the left was just removed from my 38 Dodge radiator and it measures approx. 1 1/2". If for some reason your 38 Plym has the larger filler hole I could second day it to you for whatever that cost is. The cap would be free. All I ask is that you remember me in your will. Quote
38plymouth Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Posted May 20, 2009 I have a box of these NOS caps that list a 37-38 Dodge and Plymouth on the lid but they don't fit my 38 Dodge. The diameter of the radiator filler hole would have to be approx. 1 5/8" in diameter for this cap to work. The cap pictured on the left was just removed from my 38 Dodge radiator and it measures approx. 1 1/2". If for some reason your 38 Plym has the larger filler hole I could second day it to you for whatever that cost is. The cap would be free. All I ask is that you remember me in your will. Mine is about 1 1/2 just like your's. Thanks for the offer though. I will probably have to order bernbaum'sm, I hope it's the right size. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Posted May 20, 2009 Just a far out thought.......is the entire center disc of your cap badly rusted, or just the tabs rusted off? Could you possibly take a pair of wire cutter pliers, nip a notch or two in a stronger place, then bend and twist it out to make a new tab. Might work as a made-do sort of thing for a few days. Quote
38plymouth Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Posted May 20, 2009 The center piece has practically fallen out it'd so rusted. I have a bungie cord holding it on for now. I have a car cruise on Friday night and a large Memorial Day show on Sunday. Hopefully the bungie holds it. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted May 20, 2009 Report Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) I would think it would work OK as it's a no-pressure radiator. I guess a person should purchase spare items to put on the shelf.....you never know what you'll need and when. I try to keep spare stuff....probably have too much. Edited May 20, 2009 by BobT-47P15 Quote
RobertKB Posted May 20, 2009 Report Posted May 20, 2009 The center piece has practically fallen out it'd so rusted. I have a bungie cord holding it on for now. I have a car cruise on Friday night and a large Memorial Day show on Sunday. Hopefully the bungie holds it. Duct tape! No pressure as stated. It will keep it secure. The caps on these radiators rust out pretty quickly. My '38 Chrysler radiator cap is about four years old and already very rusty. That is probably why they went to the newer (modern) style in the early '40's. Quote
38plymouth Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Posted May 20, 2009 I should have just called Bernbaums yesterday. I just talked to them and as long as they have it in stock their regular shipping will have it to me in 2 days at the most. I also ordered a new headlight switch since mine is a little finicky at times. I have to call back in a little bit to see if they have them in stock. Quote
38plymouth Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Posted May 20, 2009 Bernbaum's has nothing. They said they buy them at swapmeets when they find them. I guess I'll have to try to find one at a swapmeet and live with a bungie cord for now. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted May 20, 2009 Report Posted May 20, 2009 It seems that I recall some oil fill caps having a similar retainment system. Try looking at a valve cover oil cap for a small block Chevy or Mopar. They might be close enough to get you by until you can find the right one. Merle Quote
38plymouth Posted May 20, 2009 Author Report Posted May 20, 2009 I just got very lucky. I stopped at an old junkyard down the road and asked the guy if he had one and he said the only possible car he had that might have one was a 38 desoto. We walked out in the yard and it had the right cap. It's rusty but it works and will look fine until I get a new one. I had he wanted $5 and my old one to pack back on the desoto. I guess I'll try bead blasting it to clean it up a little. Quote
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