Power steering cap detail

**Bill Rose** · #1 12-01-2009, 03:54 AM

At the MCACN show in Chicago, I lost 2 points for my power steering reservoir cap. It's the metal cap with the ears, not the round plastic one. The judge looking at the motor said it was the only thing he found wrong under the hood. I was really surprised because that was something I was sure, was correct. Now I'm not sure. He kept saying it should have a black cap, and I thought he meant the round cap like the 70's have. So I started looking for a 69 survivor with power steering and couldn't find one. Question: What should a 69 L78 Chevelle power steering cap look like. Round, metal with ears, natural/nickle plated, or metal painted black?

**Mr. Chevy** · #2 12-01-2009, 06:53 AM

Bill, my understanding is that sometime in the 69 model year the cap was changed from the metal, ear type to the round plastic style. Not sure when or why this transition took place. Either is correct and I have seen both styles on 69 cars.

The metal cap w/ears should be painted black in color. I have an original/used one that I recently found which you can see remnants of the black paint on it. I'm sure lots of these caps lost their paint due to handling and fluid being spilled on them over the years.

Hope this helps..

Rich

**Bill Rose** · #3 12-01-2009, 07:22 AM

Thanks Rich, It's always good to learn new stuff. I guess I'll paint the cap then. ....but it does look a lot better unpainted in my opinion.

**wheelhop** · #4 12-01-2009, 02:44 PM

Looks like I'm gonna have to paint my cap then too.

**CC Rider** · #5 12-01-2009, 03:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Looks like I'm gonna have to paint my cap then too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup, me too.

**Rixls6** · #6 12-01-2009, 03:38 PM

The 67K mile original 6 banger I have, has remnants of black paint on its metal cap.

Postsedan · #7 12-01-2009, 07:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks Rich, It's always good to learn new stuff. I guess I'll paint the cap then. ....but it does look a lot better unpainted in my opinion.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bill,

We restore all 1969 Chevelle`s / El Camino`s with the cap left natural, no paint. I agree... it just make the engine compartment look much nicer. If your worried about future judges at future judged shows, than have two power steering caps. One painted for judged shows and the other natural.

This is yet another reason why I own..... non-power steering cars

Dan.

70 Forest Green Zee · #8 12-02-2009, 01:26 AM

With arms like yours Dan....you don't need power steering!!

**wheelhop** · #9 12-02-2009, 04:31 AM

[ QUOTE ]
With arms like yours Dan....you don't need power steering!!

[/ QUOTE ]

you two should get a room!

**Bill Rose** · #10 12-02-2009, 03:54 AM

Wow, 8 replies today. I spent the whole day repainting the doors on my El Camino, and didn't get to the computer until now. Thanks for the replies and the pictures. I agree with the consensus, that the cap should be black, especially after looking at Rick and Phil's original, un-restored cars.

Mark, I wouldn't go by anything that was on the car when I got it. I think the only thing that was correct on the motor, was the power steering pulley. There was a big difference between what you sent east, and what I got. Nuff said there.

Good idea Dan. Two caps. No power steering seems to be very popular. When the judge told me it was wrong, I walked around the MCACN show, looking at what other L-78's, and I couldn't find a 69 big block, with power steering, in the short amount of time I had, since the judges were waiting. I did eventually find some but only one with the cap painted black. It seems silly to paint the p/s cap and leave the radiator cap plated, but apparently, thats what they did.

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