Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
HezaHenry
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?

Post by HezaHenry » Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:23 am

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
Attachments
Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120452.jpg
Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120452.jpg (45.13 KiB) Viewed 5009 times
Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120430.jpg
Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120430.jpg (47.81 KiB) Viewed 5009 times
Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120358.jpg
Livingston Radiator Cap20200119_120358.jpg (51.79 KiB) Viewed 5009 times


Kenny Edmondson
Posts: 104
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:26 am
First Name: Kenny
Last Name: Edmondson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Touring 1924 Fordor
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Kenny Edmondson » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:13 am

Here’s one from a post in 2017...
Attachments
F2E3A3BC-D19C-4A21-978D-A7CACBB1ED6F.png

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6789
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Rich Eagle » Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:11 am

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

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6789
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Rich Eagle » Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:03 am

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.
Capzzz.jpg
When did I do that?


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sun Jan 19, 2020 1:46 pm

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!


Topic author
HezaHenry
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?

Post by HezaHenry » Mon Jan 20, 2020 1:43 am

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


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Mon Jan 20, 2020 3:01 am

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.


Topic author
HezaHenry
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?

Post by HezaHenry » Mon Jan 20, 2020 3:22 am

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


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Les Schubert » Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:32 am

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!


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Les Schubert » Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:34 am

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


Mike Lebsack-Iowa
Posts: 458
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:22 pm
First Name: Mike
Last Name: Lebsack
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 11Torpedo, 11 Roadster, 13 Touring, 14 Roadster, 14 Touring
Location: Iowa
Board Member Since: 2008

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Mike Lebsack-Iowa » Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:47 am

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


Topic author
HezaHenry
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?

Post by HezaHenry » Mon Jan 20, 2020 6:04 pm

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


Les Schubert
Posts: 1311
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
First Name: Les
Last Name: Schubert
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
Location: Calgary

Re: Unusual Livingston Radiator Cap maybe off a T?

Post by Les Schubert » Mon Jan 20, 2020 8:21 pm

Go to “smooth-on.com”.


Topic author
HezaHenry
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?

Post by HezaHenry » Tue Jan 21, 2020 2:10 am

Thanks Les,
I'll check it out.
Graeme

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic