54 Valve Cover Cap
This is the oil filler cap from my '54. No reason to believe that it has been replaced. Your opinion(s)?
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
Anyone have an opinion on this? The car has a chrome valve cover (with the correct tabs for ignition shielding). I assume it always did, but who knows. This cap does not appear to have been chrome. that gives me some level of doubt. But looking for some opinions. -
Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
In your last picture, the one with the cap right side up, the depth of your cap appears to be greater than that of the one in the picture beside it. It may just be an optical illusion, but that's what I see.
FWIW, here is a picture that shows the original cap on my unrestored '54, #3300:
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
Thanks! I do think there is a little bit of optical illusion in my photos, but you have given me one more thing to check. I also appreciate your photo. Thanks!Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
I've never discovered what the correct cap is for a chrome valve cover. I suspect it may differ from that used on the painted cover but don't know.Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
I lost focus on this question/item I posted 1.25 years ago. I am resurrecting it for input I need due to two things. One - I have noticed posts lately about coolant caps and the like. Two - I just got done cleaning up the chrome valve cover and coolant tank on this car. It is amazing what a little elbow grease will do. I am doing a body off restoration of this car. It's been in my family since my dad and his brother bought it in 1964. I am considering NOT re-chroming the valve cover, as it is in such good shape and LOOKS like factory chrome of the era. My worry is that the re-chromed cap will look 'too good' next to the valve cover. I may end up re-chroming the valve cover, but at least for the moment think it is rather neat to NOT. Additional originality. The coolant tank is in amazing shape as well.
Thoughts on the valve cover cap, as well as my decision about re-chroming the valve cover? The oil cap photos are in the thread above. The valve cover photos are below (both cleaned up now, and on the motor when I began in 2017).
2020-04-25 13.14.35.jpg2020-04-25 13.13.55.jpg2017-04-22 15.04.50.jpgComment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
The cover looks great! I'd rechrome the cap if you plan to show the car.Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
Something I'm curious about the cap. Are the chrome caps identical to the painted caps? Same markings, etc addressed in the TIMJG?
Reason why I ask is the one super low mileage 54 I documented that had a chrome valve cover and cap had a cap that differed from the painted version. So I wonder if they all differ.Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
Jim - Thanks for that. I suspect that I will get tiny rust spots over time in some very small pits. However, the occasional polishing and waxing should clean that up. I just like the idea that it could still be factory chrome after all these years.
Troy - You are hitting on my first question. I don't know FOR SURE this is the original cap, but no reason to think it isn't, other than the two differences I can spot versus the TIM&JG. First, no "S" on the bottom of the large rivet. Second, one circular 'step' missing on the top. Maybe I should stop asking questions and just chrome the cap and move on.Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
Jim, please post photos of your chrome cap.Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
Sorry Jim I thought you had one of each flavor - painted and chromed.
In any case please see my post on radio lamp wiring and look at the light switch on your rare unrestored car.Comment
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Re: 54 Valve Cover Cap
While you have the cover off please look at the underside of your door and see if the weatherstrip was put on as one piece or three. Sometime in 54 and all of 55 they did it in three pieces. The bottom flat piece was put on before the door was hung and painted. Thus that piece of weatherstrip has body color overspray on it.Comment
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