MTFCA Forum

I have a Bergs "low" black radiator. It cools great. The only issue is when I've put a motometer and dogbone on it eventually the filler neck comes loose. Unlike the originals, the Bergs neck is just soldered on the tank with no reinforcement.

I've been trying to design a way of installing the neck to give it more strength. Does anyone happen to know the diameter of the hole in the top tank under the filler neck in a Bergs?

Bergs radiators are NOT recommended for any heavy type radiator cap per the manufacturer. I plan on a substitution solution. I use a regular cap when driving, storing, and hauling. When I get to my location, I switch to a motometer for show.

I have long wondered if a radiator shop would have a stronger way to attach that neck so we wouldn't have to worry about it cracking and eventually falling off.

Good Luck,
Terry

Thanks Terry - the achille's heel of the Bergs was the filler neck. Mine has come off twice. The first time with a motometer and wings, the second with a motometer and small dogbone. Only a small, original cap seems to work. I'm trying to come up with a mod to reinforce the neck on mine....we'll see what happens.

FWIW - in my tool kit I carry a neoprene stopper to plug the hole if the neck ever comes off again.....

You need a mechanical fix as well as a solder joint. Original radiators have a rolled in lip on the bottom of the neck. When fitted to a tank top, an upwardly rolled lip on the tank top fits inside the neck lip and is folded down over the lip to capture the neck. Solder completes the seal.
I would suggest making a sheet brass plate with the same raised lip, and capturing this on the neck in the same way. Silver solder the two together. Trim the bras plate down, tin the plate and the tank top, and rivet it to the top tank. My radiator shop guy uses copper pop rivets for this. Then solder the joint to make the seal.

Hope this helps.

Allan from down under.

You could always do like Dean and install a Gatorade bottle.