Need some input on engine bay stuff

[Monty]

1) I'm looking for the most accurate radiator cap available for a car manufactured in 1980. If you have pics and vendor names for one of these in Photo Etch, machined aluminum or resin, I'd appreciate it if you'd post them.

2) I'd also like your ideas on creating an oil dipstick and tube as well as the dipstick and tube for the automatic tranny fluid. (Dipstick does not need to be removable)

[Steve Keck]

Monty,

How about posting a picture of your desired radiator cap so we don't have to guess?

As for the oil dip stick:

Drill an appropriate size hole for a hypodermic needle (some vets don't control them to the extent human health professional do). Used a cut off wheel in a Dremel to seperate the needle from the housing. Use eye protection. For the stick use piano wire that slides inside the needle. Use a small brad as a mandrel for the loop on the end. Grip the wire with needle nose pliers and twist a loop into the wire. I lock the brad in a vise.

For the tranny stick use some brass strip from Special Shapes bent to shape. The strips come as small as 1/64 x 1/32 inch.

If you want to make the cap on the stick that fits over the tube use the Special Shapes thin walled telecoping brass tubing. It starts as amall as 1/32 inch diameter.

[Monty]

Here's the one I want. If there's one out there without the pressure toggle, I'll take that and modify it.

[jw78z28]

i think detail masters used to make them, hope that helps

[ChrisPflug]

I use a much less elegant approach for dipsticks- quick, dirty and cheap- a simple piece of wire with the loop bent with some small pliers

For an auto trans I use a thicker wire and file the end to make a narrower, thinner loop for a handle- paint the loop to contrast the tube and you have something quick and easy that doesn't look too bad

[Tradeshowjoe]

I have a couple photos to share with you,

-For the dipstick,(which was easier to make than photograph!)

I took a small wire, stripped the end and shaped the dipstick "grab". Then a couple of drops of CA glue where the wire emerges from the insulation. Paint as you see fit, in this case I need it chrome. Drill a hole and install.

As for the radiator cap, I took a small flat piece of styrene and painted it red, easy peasy.