Radiator Caps (All)

[Terry M.]

Re: Is anyone duplicating....

Good photographs of the cars when they were new will yield a clue to how bright plated parts were. That said, good phonographs are hard to come by.

[Tony H.]

Re: Is anyone duplicating....

Joe,
I would venture to guess that the electroplating process used to manufacture these caps could likely yield a variety of "bright/dull" finish based on the variablility in chemicals/contaminants and other operating parameters like current density, brightners, plating thickness,etc. yet still meet the specifications for cad/zinc metal coating for substrate metal protection. The elusive hermeitcally sealed NOS caps could put this to rest.

[Thomas D.]

Let's review this cap thing...

I'm beginning to see two groups here. First we have those that except the fact there is no "proof" multiple caps and configurations didn't exist and that judging such parts should be more lenient. The second group seems to want to make it even harder and push the bar up a notch. Caps can be assumed wrong if the letters are too wide, too narrow, too deep, not deep enough, the plating is too bright, too dull, if the AC is circled, if it's not circled, the ears are too small or too big and that's only the top side. Then after all that, we have to agree on which models fit on what years and options. If all that was done correct, and who knows for sure what that is, now we are going to go to the undersize mechanism? I have to ask... who cares if the underside is the same? As long and it functions correctly. I would think that would be the biggest concern.
I think "opinions" have entered into judging too often and judges need to be reminded that they are there to follow the manual and the manual is king. If it says "plated" then plated passes, period. If it says RC26 or RC15, and the cap matches, then it passes. Until the manual has photos (with gloss levels) and font widths, I think we should keep our opinions to ourselves. What are we saying when we take off one point because of brightness or font? To me it has nothing to do with the owners car and it's all about the judge. This thread has had several hundred views, yet no one has offered any information. No photos, no application chart, no original caps, nothing.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Let's review this cap thing...

I'll disagree (and you're not surprised, right? I'm usually not the disagreeable sort).

As an example, the JG offers no pictures of glossiness, orange peel or levels of metallic flakes, yet we deduct for BC/CC paint jobs, do we not?

Generally it is accepted that if a part is easily detectable by a particular judge as being incorrect (or "not typical of factory production" to quote another organization) then it is up to that judge to decide if a part receives a point deduction. It is widely publicized that the JG's do NOT carry all information on all parts. As such, the manual is NOT "king" if a judge's knowledge goes deeper than the baseline given by the JG. So yes, every single judging event is a compilation of the OPINIONS of the judges who looked at the car on that day. If the result is not satisfactory, try again another day - or better yet, discuss it with a judge on the day of the event.

Using your standard, in theory I could take a F_rd cap, engrave "RC-15" on it, and get points? Or use a current day RC-15 cap and get full points?
No, that's not why I'm a part of the organization or interested in the details. If the details didn't matter, I'd spend my time at NCCC meets.

And, based on the excellent quality of your radiatos I would suggest that the details DO matter to you.

If I can find the time later tonight after work, I'll be happy to attempt to post pictures of two caps. Or, better yet, let's all meet at your space at Carlisle and discuss it.

Patrick

[Harmon C.]

Re: Let's review this cap thing...

I have about ten RC-33 caps with the logo in the center that were only made in 73 but used on all model lines. I am going to check to see if they all look alike as nobody has or will repo them as their is no demand. I have picked them up from many places so should I have 3 or 4 styles or only one? Lyle

[Patrick H.]

Re: Let's review this cap thing...

Lyle,

Send pics if you can think of it.
Else bring some to Carlisle and we can jaw about 'em.

Patrick

[Roy B.]

Re: Let's review this cap thing...

I've talked about First, second, third design of parts for years, plus different Companies that supplied G.M which were many.
That is the difference for markings, logos and a parts physical design from each other on early or a late part.
People are beginning to understand this and are asking questions now that they know about the larger parts and judging is paying attention to the smaller parts. It's about time!

Different parts that have different logos means different suppliers that G.M contracted to. (M-TR-O-WP-III and so on)

Different design form early to late parts means running changes.(water intake housing and so on)

Different part numbers today from the original part number means it supercedes an older part number that may work but may not look like the original part in design or color.( Radiator caps and so on)

I see parts all the time on E-Bay sellers, selling and buyers buying wrong design or replacement parts.

Those parts that I know ,I try to e-mail the seller or buyer letting them know about them. Some people thanks me while other ?
This to me is the reason for so many arguments because of the lack of understanding what happened over the years.

[Thomas D.]

Cap Meeting M106-M111

"If I can find the time later tonight after work, I'll be happy to attempt to post pictures of two caps. Or, better yet, let's all meet at your space at Carlisle and discuss it."

Patrick

That would be great! I look forward to seeing anyone with advise. Keep in mind, I will be buried with customers (I hope) and my chat time will be limited. It would be best to stop very early (7:30am), or late (5:30pm) or at lunch time. I have more time to chat then. If the wind allows, you should be able to spot us by the white blimp that says ALUMINUM RADIATORS.

I can make the tops look right, I just need some direction as to what the majority of people agree on and try to eliminate a moving target.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Let's review this cap thing...

I have had cars judged all the time and a 97 Duntov qualifer today takes a much better 73 than it did in 1994 when judging thease cars started. A 97 in 1995 would be lucky to get a 94 Top Flight today as the TIJG and Judges are better. Lyle

[Patrick H.]

Re: Cap Meeting M106-M111

Tom,

See you there.
We might talk about radiators too. I need 1 or 2 anyway.
I'll bring my original cap.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Cap Meeting M106-M111

I'll bring mine too, as well as the picture of the engine compartment weeks after delivery. No close-up of the cap, but the brightness is evident.