Beck TD, Part 82: Remediating the Radiator

 I've wanted to do something about my top radiator hose for years, ever since Beck TD came to the Grant Street Garage. The mechanic that converted Beck to Volvo power years ago apparently made several decisions based on what materials were at hand. For the top hose, he chose a brass plumbing fixture to convert the 2" hole in the TD radiator to the 1-1/4" needed for the Volvo engine. He chose a flex hose with dubious routing to get it all to work. In this photo, the valve cover is removed, giving a better photo of the whole routing:

Beck TD, Part 81: Testing the Temperature

 This was an interesting bit of garage science today. About a year ago, I replaced the water temperature gauge in Beck TD's dashboard because the existing one had failed. I was suspicious of the new gauge right away, because it seemed to read about 10 degrees hotter than the old one, and also would read 10 degrees hotter than the temperature indicated on my laser non-contact thermometer, checking right at the gauge sender.

I had read of a test for those capillary-style gauges using boiling water, but I had never tried it. Until today, that is! Read on for the interesting results.