Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

[Craig J.]

I've not been able to find a photo of the OEM cap for the coolant overflow tank for a late 1977. Is this the correct cap: http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...category/6905/

Thanks in advance!

[Joe L.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

I've not been able to find a photo of the OEM cap for the coolant overflow tank for a late 1977. Is this the correct cap: http://www.zip-corvette.com/catalog/...category/6905/

Thanks in advance!

Craig------


It appears correct to me. The cap, itself, was made of a material similar to "Bakelite". I can't tell from the photo if they've got the material correct.

[Craig J.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

Thanks Joe. Mine has a generic "Coolant Only" plastic cap that looks like it came from Autozone or similar. The original caps must have lasted forever if they were similar to bakelite.

I need to put an order together (replace front air scoop, get stickers for shock absorbers, so I'll add in this cap. I'll update this thread once the cap arrives...hopefully it will be pretty accurate. Thanks for your help!

[Frank K.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

I have a 77 L-82 july build date . The original cap is black with a short piece of tubing exiting the cap. About a foot long for over flow.(boiling over) The tubeing is 8 inches long clear in color

[Joe L.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

Thanks Joe. Mine has a generic "Coolant Only" plastic cap that looks like it came from Autozone or similar. The original caps must have lasted forever if they were similar to bakelite.

I need to put an order together (replace front air scoop, get stickers for shock absorbers, so I'll add in this cap. I'll update this thread once the cap arrives...hopefully it will be pretty accurate. Thanks for your help!

Craig------

The cap you have could also be a later GM SERVICE replacement. They are as you describe.

[Joe L.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

I have a 77 L-82 july build date . The original cap is black with a short piece of tubing exiting the cap. About a foot long for over flow.(boiling over) The tubeing is 8 inches long clear in color

Frank------


The configuration you describe does not sound like a late 1977 configuration to me. The late 1977 cap had no provisions for hose attachment.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

A little offsite: what I find interesting, is the "Late" in here - my car is an early June build and it does NOT have the "Late" configuration...

[Frank K.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

You are correct the only item that matches numbers is the recovery tank.

[Craig J.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

I included "late" as my tank has the spout that the overflow tube from the radiator connects to. The "early" configuration has the tubes running to the cap of the overflow tank.

I'll get the car off the lift tomorrow a.m. and take some photos. I'll look up the build date too.

[Oliver B.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

From other option differences on 77s that I saw, the divide between "early" and "late" was very often around VIN 30,000 - obviously not in this case. Thus my "interesting".

[Frank K.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

The Mid America assembly manual shows 6-21-77 cap removed (551304) Auth The recovery tank on my car matches a Mid Amerioca assembl;y manual to a tee. My car was built july but I will check with other 77 that I see at shows that I know are untouched cars . Also I forgot to say it matches a 1975 Mid America Assembly manual to a tee.

[Craig J.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

The cap you have could also be a later GM SERVICE replacement...

Hi Joe,

Finally had time to get some photos:

Tank and cap:
DSCN2645[1].jpg


Closeup of cap:
DSCN2648[1].jpg

Is that the GM Service cap? Thank you.

[Joe L.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

Hi Joe,

Finally had time to get some photos:

Tank and cap:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]53167[/ATTACH]


Closeup of cap:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]53168[/ATTACH]

Is that the GM Service cap? Thank you.

Craig------


Yes, that's the GM SERVICE cap----GM #14011345. It also may have been used in PRODUCTION but not until later model years and/or other GM cars. A cap, similar or identical to the 14011345, was also sold in the aftermarket.

[Frank K.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

Mid Americas assembly instruction manual says on sheet 2 UPC 13A cap removed This is my bible for part numbers etc. Is this a good reliable source?

[Joe L.]

Re: Late '77 Coolant Recovery Tank Cap

Mid Americas assembly instruction manual says on sheet 2 UPC 13A cap removed This is my bible for part numbers etc. Is this a good reliable source?

Frank-------


Yes, the AIM is a very reliable information source. However, like anything else, it's not necessarily 100% accurate. Also, all revisions may not be reflected in the copy that the we have available to us.

As far as the "cap removed" notation is concerned, I believe that resulted from the fact that the container was henceforth supplied to PRODUCTION complete with installed cap.