MTFCA Forum

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

Here’s one from a post in 2017...

Here is that post. FWIW:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/70 ... 1498694301
It is a treat to see.
Thanks
Rich

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.

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!

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

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.

Hi Wayne
Thanks for the info. I might give it a go and see how it turns out.

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!

“Smooth On” makes products for taking impressions of things like this

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 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

Go to “smooth-on.com”.

Thanks Les,
I'll check it out.
Graeme