Re: Radiator Cap Mystery
Tim------
The main purpose of the special radiator cap is to protect the aluminum supply tank from galvanic corrosion. It may also provide some protection for the rest of the aluminum components in the system but I think the main purpose is to protect the supply tank.
In the case of your Sable I would say that you definitely want to replace the heater core with an aluminum unit, as-original.
Personally, I wish that an aluminum heater core was available for C3 Corvettes with aluminum radiators. I looked for one for a long while but could never find one.
Corvettes used copper/brass heater cores through the 1996 model year even though 1984-96 Corvettes use aluminum radiators.
It always struck me as odd that GM used a radiator cap with aluminum parts for the aluminum radiator but the heater core is copper/brass. If I understand correctly the copper/brass will eat the aluminum if galvanic corrosion happens.
I am going through this now with my Mercury Sable that has all aluminum and plastic parts in the cooling system, the heater core is stopped up and no hot heat. There is no way I am installing the aftermarket copper/brass core, the correct Ford heater core is aluminum and I am sure for good reason.
I am going through this now with my Mercury Sable that has all aluminum and plastic parts in the cooling system, the heater core is stopped up and no hot heat. There is no way I am installing the aftermarket copper/brass core, the correct Ford heater core is aluminum and I am sure for good reason.
The main purpose of the special radiator cap is to protect the aluminum supply tank from galvanic corrosion. It may also provide some protection for the rest of the aluminum components in the system but I think the main purpose is to protect the supply tank.
In the case of your Sable I would say that you definitely want to replace the heater core with an aluminum unit, as-original.
Personally, I wish that an aluminum heater core was available for C3 Corvettes with aluminum radiators. I looked for one for a long while but could never find one.
Corvettes used copper/brass heater cores through the 1996 model year even though 1984-96 Corvettes use aluminum radiators.
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