1952 Chevy DeLuxe - Radiator cap rated 16 pounds?

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Noticed last night that my old 1952 Chevy Deluxe has a modern radiator cap on it, rated at 16 pounds. Although it fits properly, I'm fairly certain that a 16 pound cap isn't correct for a 65 year old car.

I would assume that it should be more like a 4 pound, or possibly a 7 pound cap.

Is there some reason (other than scarce availability of a 4 pound cap), that someone would fit a 16 pound cap here? I can't think of any.

This is a 235 cubic inch straight 6, with an original style radiator and water pump. Rock Auto has a 4 pound cap, that would appear to fit.
 
A 16 lb cap is way to high for an old Chevy 6. A 4 or 7 lb cap is what I would use. I use 7 lb caps on my Studebakers and they do just fine.
 
Wow! I'm surprised you didn't push out the packing in the pump. That is a 216 CI engine a very primitive OHV 6 Babbitted bushings in the lower end. Non-permanent anti-freeze. My '40 had scoops on the rod caps. The 235 introduced in '53 was a way better engine.
 
Maybe, maybe not.

If it's a 3 speed, the original engine is a 216. It's possible that the engine may have been changed out to a 235 in the past 65 years.

If its a Powerglide, the original engine is a low pressure 235. Basically a bored 216 with hydraulic lifters.

His car may have one of the post-1953 235s, but he hasn't mentioned which engine is in his car now.

Originally Posted By: andyd
Wow! I'm surprised you didn't push out the packing in the pump. That is a 216 CI engine a very primitive OHV 6 Babbitted bushings in the lower end. Non-permanent anti-freeze. My '40 had scoops on the rod caps. The 235 introduced in '53 was a way better engine.
 
Last edited:
Did mention it is a 235.

Didn't mention that the castings on the block suggest that it is from 1955.
 
My 1958 Apache has a 7lb cap. I run a 50/50 mix of traditional Green coolant.
 
Wasn't the 235 basically unchanged up until around 1961 or 1962?

It may be that it can actually handle 8 psi or more.
 
Starting in '54, the 7 lb cap was specified by Chevy.



Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Did mention it is a 235.

Didn't mention that the castings on the block suggest that it is from 1955.
 
As old Chevys go, I think the 235 was my favorite engine. In 1967, a buddy bought a beautiful 54 Belair convertible for 75$ because the top was junk.
 
he biggest problem will be the design of the radiator where the tanks are soldered. design changes later on allowed for a stronger seal and higher pressures to increase the boiling temperature
 
Originally Posted By: drtyler
Maybe, maybe not.

If it's a 3 speed, the original engine is a 216. It's possible that the engine may have been changed out to a 235 in the past 65 years.

If its a Powerglide, the original engine is a low pressure 235. Basically a bored 216 with hydraulic lifters.

His car may have one of the post-1953 235s, but he hasn't mentioned which engine is in his car now.

Originally Posted By: andyd
Wow! I'm surprised you didn't push out the packing in the pump. That is a 216 CI engine a very primitive OHV 6 Babbitted bushings in the lower end. Non-permanent anti-freeze. My '40 had scoops on the rod caps. The 235 introduced in '53 was a way better engine.
Those enclosed drive lines were also the pits.Haven't heard a Blue Flame six rattling for years. One barrel carb and 6.5 compression, hottest thing in town.
 
Originally Posted By: HosteenJorje
Originally Posted By: drtyler
... If it's a 3 speed, the original engine is a 216. It's possible that the engine may have been changed out to a 235 in the past 65 years.

If its a Powerglide, the original engine is a low pressure 235. Basically a bored 216 with hydraulic lifters.
...
Those enclosed drive lines were also the pits.Haven't heard a Blue Flame six rattling for years. One barrel carb and 6.5 compression, hottest thing in town.
My parents had 3 of those, a'54 car (which I eventually inherited), '55 pickup, and '61 car. Never a problem with the "enclosed drive line" of the '54. The '54 235 was rated 115 gross hp, as I recall; the Powerglide version had hydraulic lifters and was rated a bit higher. The '61 was up to 135 claimed hp, but felt much more sluggish than the '54, due to greater weight and gearing that wasn't as short.
 
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