1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

[Jim B.]

I did a search of the archives and found some postings regarding re-plating of original 1963 AC 307 radiator caps, but I was more interested in the differences between the original and reproductions. I had the opportunity to photograph an original cap alongside a new Paragon reproduction cap (original is on the left in photos, Paragon cap on right), and thought some members might find it interesting. I can see several differences on both the top and bottom sides. Thought it might be helpful if anyone was shopping around for an original cap, but wasn't sure what features/characteristics to look for. Haven't posted with photos before, so hopefully this works. Comments?

[Tom H.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Wow ! That was your first post !!

That is a great post ! How cool would it be to have a data base of repro and original comparison photos like this !!!

It would be almost impossible to do, but it would be great.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Jim, Nice job, I am not a C2 guy, but the judges would have a feild day with that cap. I have a repro C3 cap and Im sure mine is the same way, I did get mine from dewitts, but that could be the place paragon buys from.

Its truely hard to make a part in excact detail as the original.but I personally would like to see more effort made for us NCRS guys. its bad enough that we have to pay more for a part like this, when the local auto parrs store has one for 1/3 the price& works correctly.

[William C.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Amazing difference between the plating (likely tin) on the repro vs the (likely Cad) on the original among other small details like the stamped characters, size and location.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Jim, Nice job, I am not a C2 guy, but the judges would have a feild day with that cap. I have a repro C3 cap and Im sure mine is the same way, I did get mine from dewitts, but that could be the place paragon buys from.

Its truely hard to make a part in excact detail as the original.but I personally would like to see more effort made for us NCRS guys. its bad enough that we have to pay more for a part like this, when the local auto parrs store has one for 1/3 the price& works correctly.

Neither Paragon nor DeWitts makes the repro radiator cap shown in the picture. They may both sell it, but neither one makes it or has it made for them.

Patrick

[Wayne M.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Another couple of close-up views of an original 307. IMO, the hardest part of making a repro is to duplicate the font and depth of the "AC". [cap courtesy of member Grant Wong]

[William C.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Location of the arrow is also easy to spot as a big difference.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Notice the bottom washer is not even close to same design. The one that is rivited on. Then there is the sheet metal seal in the repro and the aluminum seal in an original. Do not attempt to get your original cap plated as is or it will be history. You cannot cad plate aluminum. It will just melt at the platers. Been there.

Like Bill said the location of the arrow is totally a goof up on the repro.
The letter "O" on the repro looks like the one on my keyboard here. Original O' has flat sizes.
AC is much fatter on original.
The "3"s are off. And the list goes on. But there is one major difference. The repros have been known to stick and then the top radiator hose blows off and then antifreeze does a number on the FI's for sure.

I';ve had to restore more than one FI unit because of radiator cap issues.
Typical rebuilt radiator caps often have a rubber seal in lieu of the aluminum. Now I don't know if judges are allowed to remove the cap as I forget as I don't judge very much. If so the evidence on the bottom side of a repro/rebuilt stands out in a crowd.

Buy a repro any how and keep it in the car though. Good for swapping if you car is on display some where.

Now for a story: So I looked at nice pics Jim put on. Went to my 63 and removed the radiator cap. Had it in front of the screen comparing it to the originals. Then it hit me. The one on my desk is a fake. Not the real deal. You see I removed the original for safe keeping and put on the repro. Now I can't remember where I put it!!!!
But I do have an original rebuilt here along side the fake one. But now to start hunting for the real deal. JD

[Jim B.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

John, I knew if I managed to get you to chime in here we would get another great "story". That's why I look forward to your postings so much. One thing has a way of leading into another. Thanks for the good tip about the failing "geyser" repro caps.

The problem with hiding things so well to keep them away from the thieves is that we can never remember where that good hiding place was.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

John, I knew if I managed to get you to chime in here we would get another great "story". That's why I look forward to your postings so much. One thing has a way of leading into another. Thanks for the good tip about the failing "geyser" repro caps.

The problem with hiding things so well to keep them away from the thieves is that we can never remember where that good hiding place was.

I lost a real #307 cap decades ago for the same reason. I sent it out for plating and when it was sent back, it was in pieces. The acid in the plating process ate the aluminum center stud and the cap came apart.

It's JD's memory that's fading. It's so bad now that he's able to hide his own Easter eggs.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Many of the differences are similar to what I outlined in the RC-15 article a few years ago. Same errors as they're by the same maker.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

I lost a real #307 cap decades ago for the same reason. I sent it out for plating and when it was sent back, it was in pieces. The acid in the plating process ate the aluminum center stud and the cap came apart.

It's JD's memory that's fading. It's so bad now that he's able to hide his own Easter eggs.

Hey Hanson, At least I am not the only one to ruin a mint original 307.
Ok here is another unrelated (not really) story.
NEVER even consider taking some of the speedometer cable housings to the plater for dipping in zincad. If you do it might be history as the nut that screws onto the speedo is aluminum.
I had to buy a customer a 62 speedo housing one time.
Cad plating and aluminum are taboo.

Last night I couldn't sleep as in bed trying to remember when in the heck I hid the LWC radiator cap. Bummer.

Here is the answer to lost and found.

"Tony Tony look around. Somethings lost and must be found".

Old St. Anthony does a great job for me albeit sometimes he's a little slow in finding all the missing crap. My TV in the shop has a memo hanging from it all the time. Title is X rated here so you fill in the blanks.
S t missing.

[John D.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

John, I knew if I managed to get you to chime in here we would get another great "story". That's why I look forward to your postings so much. One thing has a way of leading into another. Thanks for the good tip about the failing "geyser" repro caps.

The problem with hiding things so well to keep them away from the thieves is that we can never remember where that good hiding place was.

Yeah Jim as we get older and hide stuff we do much better job at it then when younger. One good thing about losing stuff is while looking you end up finding a lot of other good stuff you forgot you had.

I should listen to Jorjorian as he preaches to me to quit hiding stuff. JD

[John D.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

Once in a while I can use the search feature and succeed. Tonight was one of the times.
Today I was all excited as I thought I finally found my missing original 307 radiator cap from my 63 fuel car. Turns out the cap I found is an aged repro. Bummer. Thanks to the great pics of Jim Bensko and Wayne Midkiff I easily saw my cap was a POC.
Just printed the pics and will hang them in the shop and maybe someday I will find out where I stashed the original cap.

[Peter L.]

Re: 1963 AC 307 13# Radiator Cap vs. Repro

John - It's "tuff" getting old; but your choice is.
Hopefully, by now our Judges and owners can distinguish between an original 307 and other original AC radiator caps a "country mile" away without having to take the cap off. But, for sure the underside which does not look (looks like a Stant radiator cap underside) at all like the original photo Wayne posted which is typical of the AC radiator pressure caps.
So, who's fooling who or is it whom??????
Unfortunately, me thinks folks are "getting taken to the cleaners" as my parents would say,; I'd say getting "ripped off" because you can say 'exact reproduction" without saying "exact reproduction" of what. and we all think it's an exact reproduction of the original part and guess what, "it ain't" and it ain't even close.
It's a great hobby but the old saying it still applies, "let the buyer beware" when it come to cars and parts.
Pete