Radiator Supply Tank Cap

[Sam D.]

For a 1964 365 hp. no Air Cond. where can I find a original Radiator Supply tank cap. What should it read on top. is it made out of Stainless. does it have a date code on it.

I have a cap that I believe is from a AC car. 15lb RC 15 in a circle. AC circle on the left side. Says Inspect Fall & Spring, Stainless. I believe it is an original.

www.greatsaves.org/ebay/radtankcap.jpg

Sam

[Terry M.]

Re: Radiator Supply Tank Cap

In spite of what some ebay sellers will have you believe, any radiator cap (or supply tank cap) marked STAINLESS didn't exist until after 1972. I'm not sure exactly when the stainless caps came into existence, but I am absolutely sure it is newer than 1972. Someone else will be able to supply the complete history, but at some point in the 1970s the stainless cap became the SERVICE replacement for the RC 15 cap.

A frequent poster to this board wrote a story on the RC15 cap for The Corvette Restorer -- see V32 #3, Winter 2006, page 18 for pictures of what a vintage RC15 looks like.

[Donald T.]

Re: Radiator Supply Tank Cap

I believe your original cap would have been a 307 at 13lb. The normal vendors do sell repros. An original will be hard to find and quite expensive. There is one currently listed on ebay. It does appear to be an original, but others may be better able to authenticate.




307 Rad Cap

[Alan Drake]

Re: Radiator Supply Tank Cap 13lb

Check out Restorer Article, author may have a source of cap for you.
The 307/13 is the correct cap however not the 15. The ebay one looks good. As mentioned others may be better able to authenticate it.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Radiator Supply Tank Cap 13lb

I'd suggest that the 13# cap on eBay looks correct, but it's kinda rough on top. I'd like better pictures, or to hold it in my hand.

There are reasonable reproductions from at least one, possibly two, companies that will cost you about 12% of his listing price and only lose 1 point.

Patrick

[Donald T.]

Source For Best Repro?

Patrick,

Who carries the best repro in your opinion?

Thanks!

[Alan Drake]

Re: Source For Best Repro?

Sam,
Just cleaned mine up after many years, had clear coat on it for past 20+ years.
Noticed that the 307/13# had the remains of a circle on it, another surprise that it was there.
If you would like a picture of it email me.
Good Luck
Alan

[John H.]

Re: Source For Best Repro?

Paragon has a zinc-plated 307/13; DeWitt's has one too, but his catalog doesn't say what the finish is.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Source For Best Repro?

Up until recently, DeWitt sold the same zinc plated one as Paragon and almost everyone else. I think Tom's changing his source on at least one version of his radiator caps to a more correct one.

Patrick