Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

[Christopher K.]

Can anyone tell me which cap is correct for the air conditioning manifold connections on my 1972?
The larger one is a repro and the smaller is an old original from an unspecified vehicle.

Thanks for the help,

[Bob D.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Chris

The smaller of the two caps appears to be the correct manifold cap. It is very similar to those on my '71 which has the orignal caps on it.

Bob

[William C.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

As I recall, my '72 had the round head rather than the flat head, easy to pick out, but been a few years, I was second owner of low mileage car.

[Terry M.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

If I had a `968 to 1972 Corvette with C60 I would like the one in the last picture.

[Dick W.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Picture #4. Cadmium plated

[Christopher K.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Thanks very much everyone, I appreciate the comments.

[Terry M.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Picture #4. Cadmium plated

I would argue it should be tin, but without a metallurgical test we will never know.

[Dick W.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

I would argue it should be tin, but without a metallurgical test we will never know.

Picky, picky, picky Ever which one was cheaper I am sure.

[Terry M.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Picky, picky, picky Ever which one was cheaper I am sure.

Amen brother!

[Kurt G.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

My early '72 has a rounded top, cad plated cap.

[Wayne M.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Picture #4. Cadmium plated

Agree, Dick -- without chem analysis . This might have been discussed in years past.

Here's a service AC manifold / muffler I have -- believe it is the 1968 part # as that was all that was available from the General in the early '90s. It's NOS, in the sense that it's been installed (for appearance) on a compressor, but never seen Freon .

The plating is (now) even darker than I remember a decade ago. I get the impression you could rub it off entirely with little effort.

Close-up is of what I think is a Weatherhead stamping (going by the hex and the feather tail of an arrow) -- any thoughts ?

Also I can now make out the hex stamping with the 'W' in a vertical row on the face of the cap in the middle of the first pic.

[William C.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Mine was a late car, same result, domed top probably cad in that era, conversion away from cad started about '74 in GM as I reacll. We spent a TON converting plating lines, installing new lines etc.

[Dick W.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Agree, Dick -- without chem analysis . This might have been discussed in years past.

Here's a service AC manifold / muffler I have -- believe it is the 1968 part # as that was all that was available from the General in the early '90s. It's NOS, in the sense that it's been installed (for appearance) on a compressor, but never seen Freon .

The plating is (now) even darker than I remember a decade ago. I get the impression you could rub it off entirely with little effort.

Close-up is of what I think is a Weatherhead stamping (going by the hex and the feather tail of an arrow) -- any thoughts ?

Also I can now make out the hex stamping with the 'W' in a vertical row on the face of the cap in the middle of the first pic.

I believe Weatherhead was the OEM supplier. When I first started in the restoration business, I was able to purchase brass caps from Weatherhead. If only I had known, I would have purchased 1,000 while they were still available. You know, the old woulda, coulda, shoulda routine

[Christopher K.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Great pics Wayne, thanks!

[Peter L.]

Re: Correct A/C Manifold Port Caps

Wayne - I've found the hex-nut Schrader valve caps with the WeatherHead logo, and both of the configurations of the caps that started out this thread on various Chev & other GM
AC manifolds on A6 Frigidaire compressors. Personally, I think you can "pick your poison" when it comes to which one was the cap "du jour" for that day, production run, or year; but trying to figure out what was used after 40-50 years is what make this hobby fun. Pete