Bill Lewis,
>O.K., so what radiator cap should I be using on my series II? The
stock
>cap is 7 lbs. Someone recently suggested 10 to 13 lbs. Does anyone
know
>what works and what is actually too much. My 7 lbs. cap is inadequate
in
>that it start to boil over at about 190 degrees. I have been reluctant
to
>increase the lbs. on the cap for fear that the radiator pressure would
be
>too great and might destroy the heater core and other pressure
sensitive
>parts.
Bill,
You may own an alpine, but on this list you must still obey the laws of
phisics.
Water boils at 212 degrees F at atmospheric pressure (0 PSIG/29.92" Hg).
The boiling point can only go up from there.
This would lead me to believe that your gauge is wrong.
(if you are boiling when your gauge says 190).
Additional pressure will increase the boiling point.
At 7 PSIG, the boiling point of water is 232 degrees F.
At 10 PSIG, the boiling point of water is 240 degrees F.
At 13 PSIG, the boiling point of water is 246 degrees F.
Adding antifreeze to 50% will get you better yet, but the effectiveness
of the cooling system will decrease due to lower thermal conductivity
of the coolant solution.
I think that the 50% mix will get you into the 260 degree range with the
13 PSI
cap.
I'm not going to tell you to put a 13 PSI cap of the car, but going from
7 to 10 doesnt sound unreasonable.
You might also try reducing the amount of antifreeze as well.
The boiling point will be reduced, but the added cooling efficiency
may be just what the doctor ordered.
Jarrid Gross
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