Proper C3 Oil Cap

[Rob H.]

Can anyone confirm if this is the correct oil cap for my '69 L36? It has an "S" on the pin and two sets of grooves.

Much thanks in advance-

Best,
Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Rob------

No, this is a later service replacement, Stant-manufactured cap. In fact, I believe that you can still purchase caps of this configuration to this very day. It may have been used on much later Corvette small blocks with aluminum valve covers, but it was not used for the pre-73 period.

The original cap had only a single relief impression for the rivet. It was not a "multi-tier" impression like this one.

Some folks get real "hung up" on the "S"-stamped center rivet and/or the "SMC" stamping also found on some caps and lose sight of the MAJOR ELEMENTS of configuration. There are LOTS of caps with the "S" center rivet stamping and many with the "SMC" logo that are otherwise completely incorrect for a Corvette application.

[Rob H.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Thanks for the info Joe -- I was afraid that was the case. My original cap leaks slightly and I wanted to get an original replacement...

Rob

[Rob H.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Joe-

Is this more like it?

Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Rob-----

Yes, that looks a lot more like it. However, I'm not sure if this cap is an original or some sort of reproduction. For some reason, something about it does not look quite right.

[Terry M.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

It might be the angle of the photo, but to me the depression looks too deep. There also looks like there might be a second logo below the rivet -- or it is a reflection. Original chrome oil caps of this period had only the S in the center.

[Joe L.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Terry-----

Yes, there is the "SMC" logo and I also believe that this was not seen on the top chrome caps of the period. Non-chrome, Stant caps often had these on the top or bottom surfaces.

Beyond the above, it appears to me that the primary "vertical" surface of the cap (i.e. where the interior flat surface rises to the perimeter surface) seems like the lower radius is too sharp and, perhaps, the vertical surface is a bit too "steep". It just does not look quite right.

[Greg L.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

If it helps, here is the cap from my 69 L-36. I've never had a reason to believe that it wasn't original seeing as I've had the car for almost 20years and it looked as raddy as the valve covers did including some of the pitting that can be see in the one pic. The only obvious tampering that the engine had when I got it was a replacment carb, alternator, plug wires and missing smog. Other than that it looked like a virgin. Oh and I don't see any stampings on it either.


Please don't tell me in not correct...

Greg Linton
#45455

[Terry M.]

looks good to me *NM*

[Rob H.]

Re: looks good to me

Strange thing is, the one on my car looks just like Greg's -- BUT the one in the '68-'69 Tech Guide (p. 42) looks like the first one I posted that Joe said is a replacement...confused.

Rob

[Terry F.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Rob,
I can send you a picture of a 68 chrome cap on a 390 hp. Let me know. Terry

[Rob H.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Terry-

If it is not too much of a hassle it would be much appreciated.

Much thanks!

Rob

[Terry F.]

Re: Proper C3 Oil Cap

Rob, send me your email to tfringo@aol.com and I will shoot off some pictures. It might take me a while but I will get it done probably tomorrow after work.
Terry