69 Rad cap, tie rod clamps, and cotter pins

[Hank H.]

Gentlemen, this is a 3 part question for a 69 BB with copper radiator

1. Does the correct radiator cap on the expansion tank have a copper rivet in the center, and is the 15# RC 26 stamp supposed to be inside a circle toward one of the release grip tabs?

2. My tie rod clamps have been noted at 2 regional judging events. My bolts on both sides point to the rear, but the 2 bolts on one side point slightly above horizontal. What is the correct positoin?

3. For correct cotter pin bending, does one tab turn up into a notch on the nut and the other turn down and under the protruding bolt, or is there a different bend that is correct?

Thanks very much for your insight into these items. Hank

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 Rad cap, tie rod clamps, and cotter pins

Hank,

RC-15s have brass rivet, and RC-26's have an aluminum rivet.

For correct clamp positioning, you may look at my car in the pics available via my signature below.

Patrick

[Hank H.]

Re: 69 Rad cap, tie rod clamps, and cotter pins

Thanks Patrick. Looks like in the photos that your tie rod clamp bolts are in various positions. Thanks for the info on the cap. The one I was about to order has a brass rivet and now I understand that is incorrect for a BB. Hank

[Jack H.]

Re: 69 Rad cap, tie rod clamps, and cotter pins

Your copy of the AIM should denote factory original positions of the various steering clamps. They were oriented in a particular manner to allow lock-to-lock movement without interference.

Also, toward the front of the AIM book there are a series of drawings denoting 'correct' installation proceedures for various fasteners including cotter pin installation...

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Rad cap, tie rod clamps, and cotter pins

Thanks Patrick. Looks like in the photos that your tie rod clamp bolts are in various positions. Thanks for the info on the cap. The one I was about to order has a brass rivet and now I understand that is incorrect for a BB. Hank

Hank----


I think there's some confusion here. For 1969, the only big block application that used an RC-26 radiator cap was L-88/ZL-1. All other big blocks used an RC-15. The RC-15 does have a brass center rivet.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 Rad cap, tie rod clamps, and cotter pins

Thanks Patrick. Looks like in the photos that your tie rod clamp bolts are in various positions. Hank

Nope, outer two are more or less vertical, inner two more or less horizontal.

See UPC 9 page A2 of your AIM.

Patrick

[Peter L.]

Re: 69 Rad cap

Hank - If the cap is an "original," I would expect the 15# RC-26 to be stamped on one of the ears (NO CIRCLE around it) and the AC to be in a circle midway between one of the ears and the center depression. The original caps for 1969 were zinc plated steel; not stainless steel. Pete