TR3driver
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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The main reason is that the higher pressure provides a higher margin before the coolant boils. Each psi of pressure raises the boiling point about 3 degrees F. But the higher pressure also improves cooling slightly, essentially by improving the contact between the water and engine/radiator.<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]My heater valve is closed, so does that mean the heater core doesn't see radiator pressure?[/QUOTE]Unfortunately, the other side of the heater is still connected; the valve only closed one side. So it will still see roughly the same pressure, at least under some conditions.TruCraft said:So if the stock 4lb cap doesn't un-seat and let water flow out the over-flow hose, why should I need a higher pressure cap?
I don't know if 10 psi would be a problem for a stock heater core in good condition; it might be OK. I just meant that it is the area that would concern me the most. Many years ago I 'helped' someone with their TR3A ... replacing the radiator cap with one that held the proper 4 psi (his old cap didn't hold pressure at all) was enough to blow the heater core apart!
But come to think of it, one of our local club members accidentally installed a long-reach cap on a short-reach neck (forgot that he had made the same modification I mentioned); and his upper radiator hose blew up first. I don't know for certain that his car had a heater, but I think it did.