68 : Master Cylinder Cap

[Jim T.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

My original owner 1968 has what should be the original master cylinder cap since I have not changed the cap or master cylinder. This is a FEB built car.

The master cylinder cap is almost like what John Carlson's picture shows. The difference is where the word "BRAKE" is on John's picture.
On my 68's cap "BRAKE" is located directly on top of the word "FLUID" like in
BRAKE
FLUID

In place of the word "BRAKE" my 68's cap has SAE J1703. SAE is on top of the J1703.


Is this the correct cap for a FEB built 1968?

I rebuilt this master cylinder myself over 22-24 years ago with a rebuild kit and switched to silicone brake fluid.

[John C.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

Just for reference is a picture of the style Jim refers to.

I've always thought this style started in 69, but maybe there was mixed usage for a while.

John

[Grant W.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

Hi John and Jim

Jim the cap you have is incorrect for a 68- SAE is on top of the J1703 started in 1969.
John the picture you provided above is for 69 to 72

1967 master cylinder cap is a carry over to 1968 only. I'm pretty sure of this.
Hope this helps.
Grant

[Floyd B.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

I resurrected this thread because I know the chrome after market cap I have for my early production '69 needs to be replaced. I've read this thread and pg 73 of the TIM&JG a couple times but I'm still not sure which version of cap would be typical for an Oct 2, 1968 build.

Would someone please provide a list or table showing the various cap versions and the approximate date or VIN of each change? Sounds like a good article for the Restorer - perhaps one already exists?

Thanx

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

One thing to keep in mind folks: this cap was not just used on Corvettes. It was used for many other applications, too. It's very possible that there was more than 1 stamping die for this part and features like the inscriptions varied slightly from die-to-die.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

D'oh! You went and made it even more confusing.

[Edward B.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

Floyd, we did a little research on this for the first generation Camaro and here are the results:

Version 1 "Use Delco Brake Fluid" (Bottom left photo)
All 1967 & 1968 cars & the following 1969 cars:
11D 1968
12B 1968
01C 1969
03B 1969

Version 2 "Use Delco SAE J1703 Brake Fluid" (Bottom right photo)
The following 1969 cars:
01C 1969
03E 1969
07A 1969
09C 1969
09D 1969

It's not totally conclusive, but it's a start. It also appears there was a transition in mid 1969 when both were used.

Hope this helps

Ed

[Floyd B.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

Ed,

If I'm interpreting this correctly, it appears from this sampling that the changeover period for the Camaro was Jan - Mar 1969. Am I interpreting the date codes correctly?

Thanx

[Edward B.]

Re: 68 : Master Cylinder Cap

You are correct Floyd.

Ed