Radiator cap restoration (AC)

**olredalert** · #1 11-07-2008, 05:27 PM

-----Sam,,,Is your cap functioning correctly??? If not I have a friend whos son does complete function and appearance restos on these caps from the Corvette world. I have seen none better. Alot of the high priced caps on E-bay are ones he is selling. I seem to remember that some of the rivet styles are hard to find though. If you want his #, PM me.....Bill S

**mockingbird812** · #2 11-07-2008, 06:03 PM

Wow - thanks for all of the suggestions (and pictures too). That is an impressive transformation.

**mockingbird812** · #3 11-07-2008, 06:05 PM

Bill - I don't have my cap with me now, but will check functionality when I do. PM sent.

firstgenaddict · #4 11-07-2008, 08:30 PM

Has anyone ever tried to Soda blast one?
Redneck had his 81 Z soda blasted and the sheet metal looked like fresh stampings...

**mockingbird812** · #5 11-07-2008, 08:41 PM

Interesting idea James. I have a car that was b. soda blasted and the metal looks wonderful/smooth. I would be interested in seeing the results with a rad cap too. I would guess favorable results.

**Salvatore** · #6 11-07-2008, 08:48 PM

Sam, Do it yourself! Just a little elbow grease and some patients. If you don't want to change the seal and it holds pressure you can just clean real good with GO-JO and wipe a thin coating of grease before installation. Most of these cars never run long enough to even build up 125 degrees of pressure. Its fun to do it yourself. Relaxes ones brain a little.

firstgenaddict · #7 11-07-2008, 11:11 PM

I would use some safest rust remover and go from there if I didn't go with the soda.

**k92** · #8 11-09-2008, 02:09 AM

I was referred by someone on this board to a guy who does a lot of corvette stuff. I cant remember his name right now,think he was from New Mexico. He did a really good job on my cap.

**mockingbird812** · #9 05-27-2009, 03:06 AM

Jason - u mentioned above that you use a new Stant cap for new seals, etc. Can you go thru the procedures to install the new seals. Do you have to dismantle the vintage cap to install the new seals?

Thanks (p.s. your Windex and fine steel wool did the trick!)

**SuperNovaSS** · #10 05-27-2009, 03:26 AM

Sam,

Its been awhile since I have messed with a mechanical resto on one of these caps. I don't remember how I went about it but I think it involved a stant cap. There was a thread on this a year or two ago. I think it may have been Budnate who was talking about scavenging the yards for these caps and fixing them. I'm glad the windex and steel wool worked out well. I use windex for almost everything, sometimes even glass

Sorry I could not be more helpful,

Jason

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.