1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

[Michael H.]

I'm Lost On The Gas Cap. I Have Seen Stant G803 Brass Metal With Plastic Screw.....and A White Plastic Cap...and The Ac Delco Part I Purchased Was Black Plastic Cap??

At The Vette Fest I Saw A 1980 With The Brass Top And This Was A 1-owner Car.

Anyone Have A Photo?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

I'm Lost On The Gas Cap. I Have Seen Stant G803 Brass Metal With Plastic Screw.....and A White Plastic Cap...and The Ac Delco Part I Purchased Was Black Plastic Cap??

At The Vette Fest I Saw A 1980 With The Brass Top And This Was A 1-owner Car.

Anyone Have A Photo?

Michael-----


The gas cap used for 1978-81 Corvettes in PRODUCTION was GM #559346, although I won't say that every 1978-81 Corvette received this cap since it's possible others were also used. Nevertheless, at a minimum, this was the cap that was typically used. It was a cap with a METAL top with an "ear" (i.e. raised finger-hold). The top was zinc plated with a chromate (i.e. "gold") overplate. The perimeter of the cap had small "serrations" as an additional hand-hold. The metal was stamped "unleaded fuel" and there may or may not have been additional stampings. Let me also say that I regard it as POSSIBLE that some 1980-81 Corvettes MAY have originally been equipped with cap GM #22503147.GM #22503147 is a metal cap but it has no "ears". It has more of a "dome" shape than the cap with the "ears". It is stamped with the 22503147 part number and "NDH". I have no PRODUCTION documentation to support this, but I still believe it's a possibility.

Usually, the lower portion of the metal cap which included the threads which screw into the filler neck was a white plastic. However, I would not rule out the possibility that at some point the plastic changed to black.

The plastic cap you got from GM or Delco is a later replacement cap. It was not originally used but it is 100% functional for the application.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

For what it's worth, I have an 81 on the floor today, low mileage original car and it has the white plastic cap.

[Edward L.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

The gas cap on a 1981 is white/ivory in color. It contains the letter S in the middle of the cap. I bought this car new.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

The gas cap on a 1981 is white/ivory in color. It contains the letter S in the middle of the cap. I bought this car new.

Edward, I think the important thing we may learn here, is there may not be a 100% correct answer. Since 81's were built in two different plants, there could be a couple of caps that would be judged as correct. Depending on build date and plant, of course.

I'd say your input is good solid info though. Which plant was your car built in ?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

Edward, I think the important thing we may learn here, is there may not be a 100% correct answer. Since 81's were built in two different plants, there could be a couple of caps that would be judged as correct. Depending on build date and plant, of course.

I'd say your input is good solid info though. Which plant was your car built in ?

Tom and Edward-----


Well this is turning out to be an interesting "mystery".

First of all, I've confirmed that the GM #22503147 cap which I mentioned as a possibility for use on 1980-81 models is a METAL cap without an "ear" (I've revised my previous post to that effect, too).

Second, GM indicates that the GM #559346 was the cap used in PRODUCTION for 1980-81 Corvettes. I have one in my collection but I can't find it right now. However, in my notes, I have this as a metal cap.

So, I don't know what the part number of the cap you have described is. However, I'm working on it.

As I've mentioned before, during the 1975-82 period I believe there were actually more gas caps used than we can find record of now. This may well be an example of that.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

I have no idea how I got involved in a C3 gas cap conversation ! I guess that's why I love this place.

Guys, here is a picture of the cap from the 81 we have on the floor today. Built 11-80 In St. Louis. Vin #10014. The cap is white plastic and has a strange "SM" logo in the center. No visible date coding on this cap.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

Here's another example:

This is a photo of the cap that appears on the 1 owner 25,000 mile 82 we have on the floor too. VIN # 15598 Built 6-82. This cap is the white plastic version as well. It has only an "S" in the center.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

I have no idea how I got involved in a C3 gas cap conversation ! I guess that's why I love this place.

Guys, here is a picture of the cap from the 81 we have on the floor today. Built 11-80 In St. Louis. Vin #10014. The cap is white plastic and has a strange "SM" logo in the center. No visible date coding on this cap.

Rick-----


This cap appears identical to a GM #22525300 except for color. The GM #22525300 is black (at least, all that I have seen are black but I don't know that they were all black). Curiously, the GM #22525300 has been the replacement cap for all 79-82 Corvettes for may years. However, I have no doubt, at all, that the cap you have pictured and that Edward has on his car are original. I think they are of another part number that I'm not sure of as yet.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

Joe, would the part number appear on the cap anywhere ?? I'll sure look again, but saw nothing as far as a date or a part #

[Joe L.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

Joe, would the part number appear on the cap anywhere ?? I'll sure look again, but saw nothing as far as a date or a part #

Tom-----


I don't think you'll find a part number on it. In general, the Stant-manufactured caps had no GM part number on them. The "S" and the "SM" definitely indicate a Stant-manufactured cap. The GM #22525300 is definitely a Stant-manufactured cap and it has absolutely no part number on it.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

You are right. Just checked and double checked. No markings. "SM" only on the 81 cap from VIN 10014.

[Michael H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

Thank You Joe the one I saw had the metal with the gold plating....Mike

[Michael H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

It was built in Bowling Green In August vin 1G1AY876XB5108792 FROST BIEGE - DARK RED INTERIOR - I'm 3rd owner after looking at it in my neighbors garage for over 17 years. He received survivor in 2006

[Michael H.]

Re: 1981-c3 Gas Cap Correct

Tom, Thanks for tking the tim on this subject. It helps for my quest of Gold at Bloomington. I live 15 miles from Pheasant run and I can not wait until June....Mike