Radiator Cap Confusion

[Nick12]

Thanks for the tips on my non-starting 1971 TR6 and sorry I have taken so long to reply. Work tends to get in the way of car activities. I followed the suggestions and the car now starts so that is all good. Next question if I may. I removed the radiator cap and it pretty much fell apart--I think it is the original. The catalogue calls for 7 psi for 69-71's and 13 psi for 72 to 76. The one I removed was a 13 psi and I have a 1971, actually built in December 1970. I am wondering if at some point the wrong cap was put on and that may be why my expansion tank never seems to fill or empty. Anyway, is there any risk in replacing a 13 psi with a 7 psi?

Thanks, Nick

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Hi Nick,

Not an expert but the one of the reasons the PO might have put a 13psi cap on was to help with overheating problems. Most guys will warn you against this as it tends to over-pressurize the system and blow out things like your heater core. I would swap it back to the proper cap and go from there....

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[Nick12]

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll give the 7 psi a shot.

Best, Nick