Ferrari Mailing List: Re: correct pressure cap for a '78 308?

[Doug and Terri Anderson (dnt]

Hello Gavin - I vote with Dave - go four ear.  I wonder, can we even get a 
two ear cap?  If not, what will I do about Pebble Beach?  Ah well, loose 
.00003 points and come in 4th I guess, heh heh

To add to this story is make sure you burp the cooling system before taking 
off - loosen the filler cap at the engine, unscrew the bleeder at the 
radiator top right corner and let the air out.

Next, make SURE you have the cap latched down correctly AND tight.

War Story - the first or second day we had our 308GTS my daughter and I take 
off after burping the system - dang, a few miles into our trip I see 
condensation on the rear window and steam.  Huh?

Pull over - lift engine lid - there, there is steam gurgling and hissing out 
of the overflow tank and from under the cap.  Shoot.  I had cross threaded 
the cap.

Oh well, we haven't gone too far so the plan is to get a rag, unlatch the 
lid a 1/4 turn and re-seat the cap.  (Yeah, you can see this coming, heh 
heh)  So I turn the cap a 1/4 turn - the lid stays in semi-lock but in an 
open position - - - HISS PISSSSS & GURGLE - - - coolant gobs of coolant 
blows out and down and spills all over the header system.

No, I didn't get burned BUT the stuff spilling on the headers catches on 
FIRE - I mean with flames - yellow and red and orange flames - OHHH 
**(%)&??# [at] #!! - what to do - -  no fire extinguisher - oh %#$^ [at] ?! - so I 
huff and puff and blow out the fire - it pops back - I blow it out again - 
it pops back and the third time the gurgling has stopped, no more coolant 
spilling and the fire stays out this time.  I am cross eyed and dizzy with 
delight or was that from hyper ventilating?

Anyway - Now I have a check list - the keys are on the seat to remind me - 
did you latch down everything Mario?  Works well.  Also replaced the crudded 
out aftermarket (PEP Boys silver bullet) radiator cap with an OEM four ear.

End of story - drive carefully, onward.
DOUG