Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
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Topic author - Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 7:22 pm
- First Name: Graeme
- Last Name: Cocks
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Hi All
I've had this slightly mangled radiator cap for years. It says Livingston Radiator & Mfg Co New York and it is has a patent date of May 22, 1904. It is brass with what looks like brown bakelite moulded over the top of it. Has anyone seen on of these? Does anyone have a good one? Did the pointed Livingston radiators on Model Ts have caps like? I can't imagine many surviving. Like this one, the Bakelite has cracked badly.
Graeme Cocks
I've had this slightly mangled radiator cap for years. It says Livingston Radiator & Mfg Co New York and it is has a patent date of May 22, 1904. It is brass with what looks like brown bakelite moulded over the top of it. Has anyone seen on of these? Does anyone have a good one? Did the pointed Livingston radiators on Model Ts have caps like? I can't imagine many surviving. Like this one, the Bakelite has cracked badly.
Graeme Cocks
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- Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120452.jpg (45.13 KiB) Viewed 5008 times
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- Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120430.jpg (47.81 KiB) Viewed 5008 times
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- Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120358.jpg (51.79 KiB) Viewed 5008 times
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Here is that post. FWIW:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1498694301
It is a treat to see.
Thanks
Rich
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1498694301
It is a treat to see.
Thanks
Rich
When did I do that?
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
These photos show the brass insert on a similar cap. The bakelite does get brittle and crack. I had new inserts cast and threaded them. Then I made a wood pattern and cast them in bondo. That is a tight spot to machine threads. Many caps were made using that method and bakelite served well for many years.
When did I do that?
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
I have done repairs on similar items using wax (canner's paraffin) as a form, and J B Weld as the material. Once painted it looks great!
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Topic author - Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 7:22 pm
- First Name: Graeme
- Last Name: Cocks
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Hi Wayne
Good to know there are other Livingston caps out there. I may fix this one up. How did you cast the engraved top to get all the words so fine?
All the best
Graeme
Good to know there are other Livingston caps out there. I may fix this one up. How did you cast the engraved top to get all the words so fine?
All the best
Graeme
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Sorry Graeme, wasn't me with the Livingston cap. That was actually Alex Dragone on the other thread. I don't know if he still has that car or radiator or not?
I have made wax impressions of other items, other radiator caps, and of a bean-plastic 1917 model T coil that was missing one whole side, and made a replacement side for it using J B Weld. The result was very nice. From the looks of your cap, you should be able to make a simple form for the missing finger-holds, and use that to replace the missing areas. Most of the intricate lettering looks to be in good shape.
That would be a beautiful cap if well restored.
I have made wax impressions of other items, other radiator caps, and of a bean-plastic 1917 model T coil that was missing one whole side, and made a replacement side for it using J B Weld. The result was very nice. From the looks of your cap, you should be able to make a simple form for the missing finger-holds, and use that to replace the missing areas. Most of the intricate lettering looks to be in good shape.
That would be a beautiful cap if well restored.
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Topic author - Posts: 32
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- First Name: Graeme
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Hi Wayne
Thanks for the info. I might give it a go and see how it turns out.
Thanks for the info. I might give it a go and see how it turns out.
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
I would certainly be interested in getting a copy of your rad cap for my Livingston!!
Anything from a impression copy of the graphic to a complete cap. I suspect I’m not the only one!
Anything from a impression copy of the graphic to a complete cap. I suspect I’m not the only one!
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
“Smooth On” makes products for taking impressions of things like this
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Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Hello,
I too would be very interested in a nice Livingston reproduction cap if anyone can produce one. I have an incredible foundry near me that can cast the insert in the correct brass. Please let me know if you plan to produce these. I have an excellent Livingston Model T radiator that I plan to use one day so the cap would be great. Thanks, Mike
I too would be very interested in a nice Livingston reproduction cap if anyone can produce one. I have an incredible foundry near me that can cast the insert in the correct brass. Please let me know if you plan to produce these. I have an excellent Livingston Model T radiator that I plan to use one day so the cap would be great. Thanks, Mike
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Topic author - Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 7:22 pm
- First Name: Graeme
- Last Name: Cocks
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
I suppose if I can fix this one up, I can then make a mould and make a few. How do I find out about "smooth on"?
Graeme Cocks
Graeme Cocks
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- Posts: 1311
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
- First Name: Les
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- Location: Calgary
Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Go to “smooth-on.com”.
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Topic author - Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 7:22 pm
- First Name: Graeme
- Last Name: Cocks
- Location: Perth, Western Australia
Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?
Thanks Les,
I'll check it out.
Graeme
I'll check it out.
Graeme