63 painted oil fill tube

[Tim S.]

It is my understanding early cars were produced with a painted oil fill tube. At what point did they start to change over to the chrome tube. If someone has a good picture they could provide, I would appreciate it. I am trying to validate the oil fill tube on my car #3532.

Thanks,

Tim

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

Tim, there are several pics of black filler tubes on early 63s in Noland's book (page 138 discusses it). I don't know if anyone really knows when the change was, other than it was probably complete by Jan, 63.

[Jim L.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

#3493 has a black painted fill tube.

Jim

[John D.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

Good question Tim. I have restored a ton of early 63 FI's and have always wondered just when the change over was for the oil tube finish.
Michael Hanson covered this subject long ago. I am going to guess the changeover from black to chrome was sometime in late November.
Tim, Paint your oil filler tube semi gloss to semi flat black. Same thing with the cap.
The black phosphate caps that we Chevy should over the counter by the 1000's are not correct in configuration. You didn't ask this but I thought I would throw it in.
Want to know how to spot a repro oil filler tube gang? The oil cap is on at a different degree. Hope you know what I mean as I can't think of a better way to explain the cap issue. But the repros are gorgeous and affordable.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

Tim, my 3922 car (November 28, 1962 build) has a chrome filler, which supports John's estimate of a late November changeover.

[Robert B.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

my car is a nov 13 car with a black filler tube and a black cap

[Tom P.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

This will really narrow it down!!

#3914, also November 28th 1962 like Mike's #3922 had a black oil tube.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

Anyone got a FI car later than #3922 with a black oil filler tube?

[Sydney G.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

This will really narrow it down!!

#3914, also November 28th 1962 like Mike's #3922 had a black oil tube.

Now that is pretty cool
If both tubes are original you guys might have nailed it.
I guess there was no difference in the changeover period for a FI car and a 340hp....makes sense.

Syd

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 painted oil fill tube

I don't know for sure if mine is original, but I have pics of it from 1988 with chrome.