Radiator Caps

[D S.]

In either the Driveline or The Tailpipe some time back there was an article written about radiator caps and how to identfy them by their applications and characteristics. Does anyone recall which issue? I know that RC-26s are unique to Corvettes and that RC-15s were issued by the gobs. On that popular auction site I have seen so many variations of "correct" RC-15 radiator caps it's maddening.

Thanks,
Scott

[D S.]

Re: Radiator Caps

Amended.

After reading the many archived messages regarding "correct" original radiator caps as opposed to "incorrect" reproductions I don't think it's necessary to get that lathered up over a radiator cap. I have seen so many so-called NOS (that acronym gets overworked) and original RC-15s for '65-'67s and '68 up that I agree with Tom DeWitt's and Joe Lucia's assessments. Opposing fonts, brass rivets, aluminum rivets, flat rivets, recessed rivets...some rivets even appear recently drilled to give a recessed appearance. Or was that a reproduction? If it looks correct give the owner and the car credit for being conscientious enough for trying to make it look right.

[Michael W.]

Re: Radiator Caps

If it looks correct give the owner and the car credit for being conscientious enough for trying to make it look right.

That's a standard part of the judging process. If the judges cannot detect any differences between a 'real' piece and a repro on the car, there is no deduct. Repros that deviate are given deductions in accordance with the severity of the deviation from TFP.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Radiator Caps

Scott,

the article is in this issue of the Restorer:
Winter 2006, Volume 32 Number 3, page 18.

Why get so picky about radiator caps?
Because we get picky about everything. It's what we do. In your comment, for example, you note that Joe Lucia stated he wasn't that picky about radiator cap details. I can assure you, however, that he is very, very picky about other details on Corvettes. The rest of us are the same way. I fully realize that there are only 6 total points assigned to the cap, but to some of us the knowledge of what's correct/original and what's not means more than the points.

Tom DeWitt has to be biased - he sells reproduction radiator caps.

If I wasn't picky in my "real job," you wouldn't like it. You'd find another doctor.

Patrick

[Sal C.]

Re: Radiator Caps

"but to some of us the knowledge of what's correct/original and what's not means more than the points."
Patrick,
That is the best statement I've ever heard regarding Corvette restoration or preservation. I totally agree.

[Thomas N.]

Re: Radiator Caps

So are the RC26 caps from GM a good correct in apperance part or should I look at other vendors caps?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Radiator Caps

So are the RC26 caps from GM a good correct in apperance part or should I look at other vendors caps?

They're wonderful for function ( I use one for driving) but they're nothing like original in appearance. Originals are as scare as hen's teeth so the reproductions are really all that you have available for show. The better one comes from LICS.

Patrick

[Thomas N.]

Re: Radiator Caps

Thanks Patrick.

[D S.]

Re: Radiator Caps

Scott,

the article is in this issue of the Restorer:
Winter 2006, Volume 32 Number 3, page 18.

Why get so picky about radiator caps?
Because we get picky about everything. It's what we do. In your comment, for example, you note that Joe Lucia stated he wasn't that picky about radiator cap details. I can assure you, however, that he is very, very picky about other details on Corvettes. The rest of us are the same way. I fully realize that there are only 6 total points assigned to the cap, but to some of us the knowledge of what's correct/original and what's not means more than the points.

Tom DeWitt has to be biased - he sells reproduction radiator caps.

If I wasn't picky in my "real job," you wouldn't like it. You'd find another doctor.

Patrick

Where did I say that Joe Lucia wasn't picky? I said that I agreed with Tom DeWitt's and Joe Lucia's assessments.

[Ridge K.]

Re: Radiator Caps

Rumor has it, that Promises Treatment Facility in Malibu, California, is working on an addiction treatment program, for those who lose touch with reality, on originality vs NOS, and who fall into the ePay trap, in search of parts to gain those points.

[Tony H.]

Re: Radiator Caps

D Scott,
The best you can hope to do (short of finding a NOS RC-26 of the correct era -- I've never seen one myself, but it may exist and probably on the same probability order of finding hen's teeth) is find an original RC-26 cap and have it restored. There are restorers out there that can restore these so they look correct externally. To do this, the plating on the cap should be zinc and the rivet should be aluminum. There's more to it but these are the main features.

The weak link of the internal components is the aluminum spring plate. These are upgraded to stainless in the restorations I have seen. I believe that corrosion of this component in the originals is the main reason original RC-26 caps don't survive. So, the stainless upgrade is the way to go for a usable restoration. And, the internals are not flight judged.

Tony

[D S.]

Re: Radiator Caps

Love it! Sign me up. I'll be going back more times than Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan.

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator Caps

And, the internals are not flight judged.

Don't be disappointed if they are judged. I have seen judges ask the owner to remove the oil and/or rad cap to judge the underside. So far as I know there is no rule against judging the entire cap.