[C38] Pressure Cap Specs?

[tdtron at earthlink.net]

Question:  Is the Westerbeke pressure cap described below a modern 2-way or is it an exact replacement for the original which didn't have the overflow tank provision?  A conversion to an overflow tank will require a modern 2-way pressure cap and of coarse the overflow tank, available at any automotive parts house.

The idea of the overflow tank is that as the engine heats up and the coolant expands, the expanded coolant has a place to go. As the engine cools, it draws the same water back into the engine.  This system insures that the engine is always topped of with coolant and it also means that no air will be ingested into the cooling system which is why our stock systems without the conversion are always full of mud caused from rust and corrosion.

I super flushed my engine with the two part flush chemicals and then power flushed it with city water using the Prestone hose adapter kit until clear water ran out of the filler and petcock.  That is a good workout for the bilge pump(s) but well worth the trouble.

I refilled the coolant with a mixture of about 50/50 antifreeze and water and my coolant system stayed clean the following ten years after the expansion tank conversion.  Before the conversion my engine made mud every year and I replaced the coolant every year also.

I don't expect that rusty mud flowing around in the coolant helps the life of those precious, high priced engine re circulation coolant pumps either.  They are priced like they are made of gold so prolonging their life is certainly a serious consideration.

Tom Troncalli


----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: listserve at catalina38.org
Sent: 7/1/2011 10:11:48 AM 
Subject: Re: [C38] Pressure Cap Specs?


This link will be helpful I think. The pressure cap for a Universal 5424 is no longer available but has change to a westerbeke http://shop.torresen.com/ships_store/?p=details&mfc=Westerbeke&sku=24306&sectionid=5171

Category:Repair & Maintainence > Plumbing > Water Pressure Systems
Manufacturer: Westerbeke
Part Number: 24306
Description:
Pressure Cap, 14psi 
Our price: $8.30 - each
 

Rich Grassia
Merriconeag #138
Staten Island, NY






-----Original Message-----
From: david at dlrfilms.com
To: tdtron at earthlink.net; Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
Sent: Thu, Jun 30, 2011 6:41 pm
Subject: Re: [C38] Pressure Cap Specs?


Well no one at Westerbeke or any of Westerbeke's dealers knows either, so
I got a 7 lb cap and we'll see how that goes.

While I was at NAPA I also got a bottle of Bar's Leak Head Gasket Repair.
Apparently what my wife and I did Friday, in a driving rain storm was
Bar's Leak Radiator Repair. Well hopefully the flush of the system helped,
and the radiator repair didn't hurt anything.

Lovely sail last night. Five paying customers and a cool dry wind out of
the NW. Folks looked like they were in heaven. I know I was!


> I would expect any modern 2-way cap would work just fine if it fits right.
> I would be surprised if the pressure rating would make much difference.
>
> That's my guess.
>
> Tom Troncalli



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