59 radiator cap

[David L.]

Re: 59 radiator cap

this must be a pretty common cap.
I found 2 NOS ones and 9 used ones in my closet at home - bet I have a bunch more at the shop.

there were 2 different versions -
Most are 13# RC-6
others are: 559-13# RC-6

I know I did not pull these off of Corvettes???

Jeff,

The photo on the right with the NOS "559" 13# RC-6 cap has a box dated Oct. 1956 ("1056-ACE-2"). Is the part number on the box 850800?

I once owned a NOS RC-6 13# 850800 cap like yours but the "559" & "13#" were stamped actually on one of the "ears" near the "AC" stamping. I do not know what the box date code was.

Dave

[Jeff A.]

Re: 59 radiator cap

yes - 850800 - - old box

[David L.]

Re: 59 radiator cap

yes - 850800 - - old box

Jeff,

Since the box is dated Oct. 1956 I would tend to think that your NOS cap was made in 1956 or 1957.

I think that I sold my NOS 850800 (RC-6 13# "559") cap to Pete L.

Dave

[Peter L.]

Re: 59 radiator cap

Loren - While the eBay listing that JG directed us to lists a RC-6 13# cap with application to the Corvette, the only 13# radiator pressure cap listed in the 58-60 Chassis Section of the TIM&JG is an AC 362. Aluminum radiators used a 13-pound aluminum drop-valve, cap #861362 containing "362" and "13#" identification. This cap has gold tint. The RC-6 would not be an appropriate cap for an aluminum radiator as it had the brass valve, etc. not aluminum.
While, I would like to see the RC-6 13# radiator pressure cap be the correct one for the application, and while it would probably function OK, but the brass "guts" might present a problem down the road, it seems unlikely that it's the one.

So, in digging some more, I looked thru my radiator pressure cap collection that is not nearly as extensive as Dave's and found an AC box, labelled RC-20, 13#, #861422 and flap on the box has 660-5 and the back of the box reads

CORVETTE (w/High Performance Engine) 1960

The cap in it is stamped AC 362/13# and has the gold tint.

I note that the application on the box does not indicate 1958 or 1959.
Hopefully, we're not overlooking the obvious.

Pete

[David L.]

Re: 59 radiator cap

So, in digging some more, I looked thru my radiator pressure cap collection that is not nearly as extensive as Dave's and found an AC box, labelled RC-20, 13#, #861422 and flap on the box has 660-5 and the back of the box reads

CORVETTE (w/High Performance Engine) 1960

The cap in it is stamped AC 362/13# and has the gold tint.

Pete,

The 1960 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Mar. 1960) also lists radiator cap # 861422 (RC-20) for the 60 Corvette w/H.L. cam.

The "660-5" on the flap of the box would be for June 1960. I do not know the meaning of the number "5".

BTW, most of my "vintage" NOS AC radiator caps are long gone. I only have 4 "vintage" NOS AC caps left in my collection: RC-3, 7#,850797; RC-12, 9#, 850994; RC-17, 7#, 861109; and RC-18, 10#, 861123 which do not seem to have Chevrolet or Corvette applications.

Dave

[John D.]

Re: 59 radiator cap

Thanks for all the replies on my question.
Peter, So the 559 13# cap with the brass valve is not correct for a Corvette period? Thanks, John