Radiator cap pressure

[superdart]

What pressure should I run on my radiator cap? I have a 16 lb right now. I have heard of people running 23 lb. Is this a good idea or not?

 

[Mrmopartech]

First can you find a 23 lbs cap?,and can your system handle that pressure? You can get 17-18 lbs caps at the auto parts and this raises the boiling piont of your coolant to a higher spec,but the problem is still why is your system even getting that hot to warrant using a 23 lbs cap and what temp does it run at now,Mrmopartech

 

[OldVart]

I've always run either 14 or 16 lb caps on old Mopars and I've never really had any overheating problems with either small or big blocks.

 

[superdart]

Well, I thought it was a 23 lb..I could be wrong.

Personally, I have only ever run 16 lb. I have a standard 2 core radiator, a high volume MP water pump, 7 blade fan, 185 stat, and a factory surge tank.

The tank and fan will both go by bye in favor of an electric fan and aftermarket tank (better looking and smaller).

I was just checking to see if I was missing something.

Thanks, guys.... I'll stick with my 16 lb

 

[340mopar]

Racing caps are in the 20 lb range. If your car has the original heater core I would not go that high. Your car will not run any cooler with a higher pressure cap it will only keep coolant in the radiator at a higher temperature. Circle track cars can run as high as 280 degrees and use only water that is the reason for the high pressure caps.

 

[fishy68]

Just as the other guys say I would stick with no more than 16 lbs. I'd be affraid to start popping seams with much more than that.

 

[superdart]

Heater core? What's that??:mrgreen:

Just kidding...my heater core wasn't even hooked up for a few years. I just replaced it with a new once, just to be safe. But, like before, I'll stick with my 16 Lb cap.