RC-15 Radiator cap

[Ralph S.]

What year Corvette uses the RC-15 cap?

[Joe L.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

What year Corvette uses the RC-15 cap?

Ralph------



1966-68 with big block except L-88

1969-72 small block with copper brass radiator (includes most LT-1 except early 1970 and ZR-1, most 69-70 L-46, and all 69-72 small block with C-60 and/or M-40).

RC-15 was not used in Corvettes after 1972.

[Ara G.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Joe
Correct me if i'm wrong, but in addition to what you said don't the 66 and 67 brass rivets have a concave/bowl shape and the 68 brass rivets have a flat topped rivet?

[David S.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Joe
Correct me if i'm wrong, but in addition to what you said don't the 66 and 67 brass rivets have a concave/bowl shape and the 68 brass rivets have a flat topped rivet?

That is correct Ara. That goes for passenger cars as well (i.e. Camaro's)

Dave

[Peter L.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Ara - I don't think the configuration of the support "rivet" top from "countersunk" to the flat top configuration on the original RC-15s was that "sudden" from 67 Production to 68 Production. The 68-69 TIM&JG I have isn't that specific that 68 Production RC-15s had the flat top configuration; in fact it seems to indicate that either configuration is acceptable. Maybe a new TIM&JG has some more information. Pete

[Terry M.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Ara - I don't think the configuration of the support "rivet" top from "countersunk" to the flat top configuration on the original RC-15s was that "sudden" from 67 Production to 68 Production. The 68-69 TIM&JG I have isn't that specific that 68 Production RC-15s had the flat top configuration; in fact it seems to indicate that either configuration is acceptable. Maybe a new TIM&JG has some more information. Pete

No change in the new 1968-69 TIM&JG that I recall.

I think we need to remember these radiator caps were literally being made by the millions probably in multiple plants and certainly by multiple machines. I only saw an automated radiator cap machine at a Tool & Machinery Show in the late 1960s, and that machine had raw stock feed into it and it was spitting out caps at more than one a second for as long as the supply of sheet stock and wire held up. That machine was on display because it required no human attendant other than the unskilled labor to keep the supply stock feeding into it. At the time it was a marvel of engineering. Little did we know it was the beginning of a revolution in manufacturing. But that larger picture aside -- ascribing certain radiator cap details to certain times and or applications is, I believe, an exercise in futility.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Joe
Correct me if i'm wrong, but in addition to what you said don't the 66 and 67 brass rivets have a concave/bowl shape and the 68 brass rivets have a flat topped rivet?

I don't think that GM threw away caps they had on hand to change to a different style or supplier so that 40 years down the road us NCRS people would get in to the minutia of dent or no dent. If you think about it it is kind of funny. Not every Corvette of a certin time had every nut screw ETC alike. They didn't stop the line because they ran out of the "RIGHT PART". They did whatever to keep the line running.

[Terry M.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

What year Corvette uses the RC-15 cap?

A photo from Ralph.

Ralph says: "one rivet looks like brass one copper?? "

3 RC-15s.jpg

[Dick W.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Annudder photo from Ralphie

[David L.]

You can still find the RC-15 caps at swap meets. I bought the cap in the photos below last month at a swap meet in Mansfield, MA, for $1.00 but I had to clean it up a bit with an SOS pad. I believe that it is correct for my 1970 Camaro SS350 long term project.

Dave

My RC-15 cap looks exactly like the original RC-15 cap on a 1,100-mile 1970 Camaro Z28 as shown in the engine photos in the link below.

Dave

http://www.1970z28camaro.com/engine/

[Ronald L.]

What you have to look at as Terry has indicated is that one machine was popping them out at the rate of 60 or 70 per minute, 24x7, probably 3500 an hour - that's a lot of caps.

Once you accept this American manufacturing excellence as fact, then you will agree that all the caps out of that 'one' machine were identical during a given manufacturing period. Meaning, all were dimpled off that machine, and all were stamped in an identical manner.

Now, some caps have AC RC 15 all on one side and other have the AC logo on one side and RC15 on the other. Which came first?

Photos courtesy those selling these on public forums. (post note, can't post photos, red exclamation point on a 21KB file???).

Now pics...AC RC15 together.jpgac ac15 separate.jpg

[Matt L.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

thought i would share mine from my 66 427 mid april car.
take care,
matt66 vette exhaust clamps 757.jpg

[Doug J.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Ralph------



1966-68 with big block except L-88

1969-72 small block with copper brass radiator (includes most LT-1 except early 1970 and ZR-1, most 69-70 L-46, and all 69-72 small block with C-60 and/or M-40).

RC-15 was not used in Corvettes after 1972.

Joe...No mention of 69-72 Big Blocks ??

[Ronald L.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Hey Matt, Always great to see pictures from your car. thanks.

Anyone else have an 'original to their car' cap on their car to share?

[Joe L.]

Re: RC-15 Radiator cap

Joe...No mention of 69-72 Big Blocks ??

Doug-----


I should have added 1969-72 big blocks with C-60. Those were the only 69-72 big blocks that used the RC-15.