1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

[Harry L.]

Would someone be so kind to post a pic of an original radiator cap for my car, 427 with a/c. Are there different styles? Thanks. Dutch

[John H.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

Would someone be so kind to post a pic of an original radiator cap for my car, 427 with a/c. Are there different styles? Thanks. Dutch

Dutch -

That would be an RC-15 cap, and there were some minor detail differences over the years; I think Patrick Hulst wrote an article on them in the "Restorer" a couple of years ago. Photo below is the original RC-15 cap on my '69 Z/28; I think the earlier version had an indentation in the rivet head. Someone more familiar with the RC-15's than I am will probably chime in.


RC-15RadCap800.JPG

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

This RC-15 was in my file labeled as a 66 Corvette 427 (April 1966) cap. I don't remember where I got the photo.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

I found the cap in the photo below at a swap meet in CT last year for $1. I believe it is correct for my 1970 Camaro SS350 23-year so far long term project. I cleaned off the surface rust with my wire wheel. Note that the brass rivet head is "solid". It appears to be the same as John's original 69 Z28 cap except for the cleaning.

Dave

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

Harry,

Here's another photo of a 1967 L36 C60 427 cap #17,XXX from my file. It appears to me that you want a cap with a recessed brass rivet head.

Dave

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

There is a cap on eBay GM part# 861050 claiming to be a correct cap. It has AC 15, then #15, at the other end it says made in USA, PAT. It is mint condition. I have seen this style before

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

Harry,

The cap in the Ebay auction listed below is a used cap which does appears to be correct for the 66-67 Corvettes w/427. If you are lucky you might find one at a swap meet for real cheap money like a dollar or 2 but it might take some time.

Dave

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLD-STYLE-RC15-RADIATOR-CAP-1965-1972-CORVETTE-CAMARO-CHEVELLE-NOVA-GTO-GS-/290928209509?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43bcac2e65&vxp=mtr

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

Harry,

There is a NOS RC-15 cap currently on Ebay (not mine) for $250 "Buy it Now". The GM part number is 6410456. I do not the difference when compared to the original 861050 cap.

Chev. & GM Parts History (over the counter parts):
GM # 861050 replaced in Jan. 1966 by GM # 3886273 then in March 1973 replaced by GM # 6410456 then in July 1973 replaced by GM # 861050. I can not explain this. The new 861050 cap has "small ears".

Dave

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

Thanks, the cap that I was looking at was discontinued in Jan.-1966. That is not the cap I want. Dutch

[Harry L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

this is the cap that I was looking at. you say this cap is not correct for my 66 427 L-36 with a/cIMG_1201.JPGIMG_1202.JPG

[David L.]

Re: 1966 427 L-36 w a/c radiator cap

this is the cap that I was looking at. you say this cap is not correct for my 66 427 L-36 with a/c[ATTACH=CONFIG]46827[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]46828[/ATTACH]

I am not saying what cap is correct for your car. I simply supplied you with two photos that I have in my file that I have collected in researching the RC-15 cap. Maybe a few hundred others will supply photos of their original RC-15 caps from their 1966 427 L-36 w/AC cars.

The 861050 cap (RC-15) is listed in my 1964 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1963) for 63-64 PASS. w/AC.
GM # 861050 is not listed in my 1963 Chevrolet Parts Catalog (Oct. 1962). I wonder what the 1964 version of the RC-15 cap looks like.

Dave