Radiator cap restoration

[D S.]

Are there any other radiator cap restoration people other than John Pirkle who performs equally as well but has shorter turn around times?

Thanks,
Scott

[D S.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

I am impressed. John Pirkle personally called me and gave me the particulars on restoring radiator caps and the turn-around time. Prices seemed reasonable to me. I sent him photos of the tops and bottoms of three caps I have. He even gave me another reference of a source who also restores them. Mr. Pirkle is a great guy to talk with.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

My only comment is to double check what finish is currently being plated onto the restored cap. I believe that previously he used cadmium, whereas originals were always zinc plated.

Patrick

[Paul O.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

Scott call Joe Perri in Chicago he can due your cap also rebuild horns 312-307-1977 does great work does all years. Paul

[John P.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

We (Dad and I) have never replated a radiator cap in anything OTHER than zinc. Gas caps are a different story.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

We (Dad and I) have never replated a radiator cap in anything OTHER than zinc. Gas caps are a different story.

Noted.

I know that we had one anaylzed for our Restorer story a couple of years ago and it had been replated in cadmium. The cap had allegedly been restored by you - apparently that was incorrect.

Thanks for the information.

Patrick

[Mark D.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

We (Dad and I) have never replated a radiator cap in anything OTHER than zinc. Gas caps are a different story.

Watch it, Junior. I don't want to have to get rough with you.

Mark

[Steven B.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

I have had a generator, starter and alternator restored by John Pirkle. The quality was excellent, correct finishes and turn around was acceptable. My opinion, I would choose them again even if I did have to wait longer.

[Robert C.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

If you have the correct cap, restore it yourself. It's not real hard if you have a plating kit. I did mine w/ great results (no deductions)

[D S.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

Bob, are you meaning a cosmetic restoration that is only for show purposes and not for driving purposes? John Pirkle referred me to Bob Lekowski (sp?) and son in Chicago for radiator cap restorations. Bob tells they completely dismantle the cap, replace worn or broken pieces, and install new rivets in addition to replating them. I am assuming that is a functional and cosmetic restoration. I wonder if anyone else on this board has had any cap work done by Mr. Lekowski?

Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[Robert C.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

Yes, show only. There are much cheaper, great raditor caps out there for driving.

[D S.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

I'm confused about a comment made by Patrick Hulst here and what the 1970-1972 JG says about the finish on the radiator caps. Both the RC-15 and RC-26 caps are 'plated bright cadmium finish' according to the JG. A reference was made here that they are to be zinc plated. I lean toward the JG as being correct unless that was an oversight.

Using a non-functional original RC-15/RC-26 is great for those Corvettes that only travel between a trailer and a show, often a distance of not more than a few hundred feet. For those that drive their Corvettes to show events (my champions) they would have to wait until the radiators cooled to remove the new caps and then install the cosmetically restored originals.

Given the prices I have seen on eBay for those original caps combined with the prices for having them restored I can see the rationale for using them for show only.

[Terry M.]

[David D.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

I am impressed. John Pirkle personally called me and gave me the particulars on restoring radiator caps and the turn-around time. Prices seemed reasonable to me. I sent him photos of the tops and bottoms of three caps I have. He even gave me another reference of a source who also restores them. Mr. Pirkle is a great guy to talk with.

Bravo for John

This to me is why we have such a great hobby, due to good ole folks such as John and so many others.....

Dueller

[D S.]

Re: Radiator cap restoration

Far be it from me to be a visual expert on plating. I just look for answers on the TDB and try to translate differences between what people say here and what the JG says.