Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
#1
Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Guys, we're coming down to crunch time and I have not been able to find any of the original gray valve stem caps. I got a month left till the TA Nats, anyone have any that they may want to sell me?
Thanks
Mark
Thanks
Mark
#2
Senior Member
Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
No luck at tire centers, etc? You may have to try and match up some spray paint and go to work.... good luck to you.
Please let us know how the TA Nats goes....
Please let us know how the TA Nats goes....
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Potenza? That's not original.
I threw out my valve stems about 3 years ago. I wanted the car to look all pretty for a car show and swapped them all to black valve stems.
I threw out my valve stems about 3 years ago. I wanted the car to look all pretty for a car show and swapped them all to black valve stems.
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Are you worried about losing points, or is this just for you so you know it's original? I say if it isn't for points; just got black!
#7
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Even if it is for points, you won't get docked for having black caps as most judges are unaware of these minor details at this point. As was mentioned in the old post, many cars left the dealer with the caps changed.
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#8
Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
No not worried about points, just kinda like the way that the gray ones looks as opposed to the black ones. It's one of those things that at least in my mind would make me think, hmmmm that's cool, if I saw them. You're right most people and the judges would not know anything about it.
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Look at the spare tires in the salvage yards. The spares are usually untouched and still have the original gray caps.
Larry
Larry
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
On the topic of tires and car shows, I've been to some shows where the judges look for show-mounted tires. That's when every tire is mounted to the wheel and lined up the same way. Example would be having the d in Goodyear lined up over the valvestem on all the wheels, and then for extra brownie points, having all the wheels lined up in the same position (say Goodyear at the top for example)!
#11
Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
On the topic of tires and car shows, I've been to some shows where the judges look for show-mounted tires. That's when every tire is mounted to the wheel and lined up the same way. Example would be having the d in Goodyear lined up over the valvestem on all the wheels, and then for extra brownie points, having all the wheels lined up in the same position (say Goodyear at the top for example)!
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Be sure that's what they're looking for, it's a bit of work. Most shows don't look for that kind of detail.
Personally, I think it's kind'a cool to see that attention to detail.
Personally, I think it's kind'a cool to see that attention to detail.
#13
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
That's a waste for the kind of shows that a driven car would go to. If you have gold plated rotors and Riddler Award $120k street rod, then that attention to detail is expected. If the car is driven, you are going to drive yourself nuts trying to get it to that point.
As a judge for years in 1000 point judged shows, the cars with that kind of detail get scrutinized more. If a judge sees next to perfection and then sees a slight stone chip, he'll take off a point for paint issues. That same judge will look at another vehicle that is very clean and nice, but will probably overlook minor imperfections because he wasn't looking so carefully for something to be wrong.
I judged a 67 Camaro years ago that next to perfect. I judged that car last. I had to go back and rejudge the other cars I did because I took points off on the perfect car that hurt it more than the not so perfect cars. I decided that judging needs to be a triage event. I scope out each car, determine which one is the best and worst by an overall evaluation. I can then judge the class accordingly. If the best car in the class scores a 989, then each of the other cars better be less.
As a judge for years in 1000 point judged shows, the cars with that kind of detail get scrutinized more. If a judge sees next to perfection and then sees a slight stone chip, he'll take off a point for paint issues. That same judge will look at another vehicle that is very clean and nice, but will probably overlook minor imperfections because he wasn't looking so carefully for something to be wrong.
I judged a 67 Camaro years ago that next to perfect. I judged that car last. I had to go back and rejudge the other cars I did because I took points off on the perfect car that hurt it more than the not so perfect cars. I decided that judging needs to be a triage event. I scope out each car, determine which one is the best and worst by an overall evaluation. I can then judge the class accordingly. If the best car in the class scores a 989, then each of the other cars better be less.
#14
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
On the topic of tires and car shows, I've been to some shows where the judges look for show-mounted tires. That's when every tire is mounted to the wheel and lined up the same way. Example would be having the d in Goodyear lined up over the valvestem on all the wheels, and then for extra brownie points, having all the wheels lined up in the same position (say Goodyear at the top for example)!
If the car's tires still have that dot on them and then are mounted like the factory, that would be some worthy brownie points. Not some arbitrarily conceived idea from a judge on how the tires "should" be mounted.
Larry
#15
Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
those look just like the ones on my (dare i say it) 03 mustang GT,,,,i got my car before it was run through PDI in the service dept so i know the grey caps are correct..I would say got to any ford dealer and you might buy these through the parts dept...
#16
Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
But what the hell, I'll call a few dealers on Monday.
Thanks for then idea.
#17
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
That's a waste for the kind of shows that a driven car would go to. If you have gold plated rotors and Riddler Award $120k street rod, then that attention to detail is expected. If the car is driven, you are going to drive yourself nuts trying to get it to that point.
My father-in-law beat out the 2nd place car in his class at this years Powerama Edmonton show. He won by a close margin of <15 points. That was also roughly the same amount of points the judges awarded for show-mounted tires. And his car isn't a trailer quenn. While he won't take it to the store for groceries or to work, it does get driven to the shows and for fun.
Of coarse I've also been to some shows (most shows) where going into that much detail is truely worthless. At that point, it just becomes a totally individual thing. I know some car owners who are totally nuts to detail for there own personal reasons.
For myself, I don't bother with show-mounting tires to the wheels. However, I can't understand for the life of me, why on god's green earth would somebody with a beutiful set of original wheels or great aftermarket wheels allow the shop the mount ugly wheels weights to the outside!!! That's what drives me nuts!
Rough example . . .
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
i totaly agree, i tell the tire place 10 times DO NOT PUT WEIGHTS ON THE OUTSIDE, and thats on everything i own!!!!!
oh yea BTW here is your valve caps on E-Bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-....c0.m245.l1318
and again
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...4506.m20.l1116
Last edited by 89RS_82Z; 08-04-2008 at 04:35 PM.
#19
Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
oh yea BTW here is your valve caps on E-Bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-....c0.m245.l1318
and again
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...4506.m20.l1116
#20
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
On the topic of tires and car shows, I've been to some shows where the judges look for show-mounted tires. That's when every tire is mounted to the wheel and lined up the same way. Example would be having the d in Goodyear lined up over the valvestem on all the wheels, and then for extra brownie points, having all the wheels lined up in the same position (say Goodyear at the top for example)!
Next time your at a show, and you see interior screws like in an older car, see if they lined up the philips + all the same way. :-)
Mark.
#21
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
I've always liked to have the screws lined up. Whether it's in a car or on a light switch in the living room.
I don't see the point in having the wheel balancer on the inside of the tire. The original factory wheel had them on the outside. I suppose with aftermarket, it would be alright. But the wheel balancers today are much smaller than they were in the past.
Here are a few pics of my original from the factory, never rotated, never rebalanced Goodyear Gatorbacks and GTA wheels. This was after I exchanged the gray valve caps for the black ones. To me, gold and black is good. But gold, black, and gray just never looked right.....Oddly enough, I replaced the gray with black valve caps right before entering my first car show. Go figure.
If I ever see some gray caps that are the correct ones, I'll give you a shout.
I finally retired the Gatorbacks in 2007 and bought a set of Goodyear GS-D3's. (I didn't keep the old Gatorbacks. I let the tire store dispose of them. They were at 4/32nds and 5/32nds of tread left)
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I don't remember there being a dot on mine.
I don't see the point in having the wheel balancer on the inside of the tire. The original factory wheel had them on the outside. I suppose with aftermarket, it would be alright. But the wheel balancers today are much smaller than they were in the past.
Here are a few pics of my original from the factory, never rotated, never rebalanced Goodyear Gatorbacks and GTA wheels. This was after I exchanged the gray valve caps for the black ones. To me, gold and black is good. But gold, black, and gray just never looked right.....Oddly enough, I replaced the gray with black valve caps right before entering my first car show. Go figure.
If I ever see some gray caps that are the correct ones, I'll give you a shout.
I finally retired the Gatorbacks in 2007 and bought a set of Goodyear GS-D3's. (I didn't keep the old Gatorbacks. I let the tire store dispose of them. They were at 4/32nds and 5/32nds of tread left)
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When the tires were mounted at the factory, there was a dot on the sidewall that was to be positioned next to the valve stem. This alignment allowed the high spot on the tire to be aligned with the low spot on the wheel. The valve stem hole was strategically drilled after the runout was determined. This produced the best possible smooth ride.
If the car's tires still have that dot on them and then are mounted like the factory, that would be some worthy brownie points. Not some arbitrarily conceived idea from a judge on how the tires "should" be mounted.
Larry
If the car's tires still have that dot on them and then are mounted like the factory, that would be some worthy brownie points. Not some arbitrarily conceived idea from a judge on how the tires "should" be mounted.
Larry
Last edited by Reid Fleming; 08-05-2008 at 01:14 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#22
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
IIRC the Gray Caps are correct, I get all of mine at junkyards off of 80's Spare tires.... One Yard I go to has a pile of Spare tires on poles... I go from one tire to the next looking for the Gray Caps... Right now I have 7
John
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Actually as I consider one persons post about how Judges look at where the "G" is on the tire in relationship to the Valve stem... Thats insane, there is nothing that I know of that pertains to where the "G" is an the relationship to the valve stem from the factory... Matter of fact it may be bad for the car as there are some balance issues with tires and the "G" may not be the best spot when its on the Valve stem... The Dots which were put on tires are for location... I thought it indicated the Heaviest point on the tire, if you spin the Rim first to find a heavy point ( it is usually opposite of the valve stem) then mount the tire opposite to the heavy point on the rim in theory you should require less weight...
As for the idea that weights are smaller today... BS... Lead still weighs the same today as it did 20 years ago...
John
John
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Actually as I consider one persons post about how Judges look at where the "G" is on the tire in relationship to the Valve stem... Thats insane, there is nothing that I know of that pertains to where the "G" is an the relationship to the valve stem from the factory... Matter of fact it may be bad for the car as there are some balance issues with tires and the "G" may not be the best spot when its on the Valve stem... The Dots which were put on tires are for location... I thought it indicated the Heaviest point on the tire, if you spin the Rim first to find a heavy point ( it is usually opposite of the valve stem) then mount the tire opposite to the heavy point on the rim in theory you should require less weight...
As for the idea that weights are smaller today... BS... Lead still weighs the same today as it did 20 years ago...
John
Last edited by okfoz; 08-05-2008 at 09:55 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
#23
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Hi Okfoz. I had a post above which brought up the tire vs wheel mounting alignment. In it, I mentioned that only for example you might have the d in Goodyear ligned up with the valve stem. However, this was only used as an example to help describe to readers what a show mount is. And that's to take a common reference point that is the same on all four tires and use that point to line-up the tire to the valve stem. This is done for visual reasons as some tires have truly pronounced inscriptions or patterns on them. Some that when mounted randomely, the differences between each wheel/tire combo can be clearly seen. That reference point could also be the dot as described above (but the dot may not be consistant on all four tires). I didn't however, mentioned nor did I mean it to say, that this is the only way or best way.
The judges do not look specifically for the G in Goodyear. How would they possibly know, or care, what is what for every single type of tire out there, nor is there a list. Now that would be insane.
I agree regarding the weights. You can't make a lead weight smaller and still be the same weight. It is what it is, and what weight size your tire requires for balance is what it requires.
The judges do not look specifically for the G in Goodyear. How would they possibly know, or care, what is what for every single type of tire out there, nor is there a list. Now that would be insane.
I agree regarding the weights. You can't make a lead weight smaller and still be the same weight. It is what it is, and what weight size your tire requires for balance is what it requires.
#24
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
I do prefer the weights on the inside of the rim instead of the outer lip... it may not be technically correct, BUT I have noticed that where the Lead weight contacts the lip of the rim often gets corroded... I suspect that the reason is the Aluminum is sacrificial when in contact with Steel which is a part of the lead weight where it attaches to the rim... So I have them use the Sticker weights on the inside of my rims for better appearance...
John
John
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
The grey air stem caps are correct. Years ago I saw a picture of an RS wheel assembly in Michael Lamm's excellent [I]Camarro: The Third Generation. There were nice up close shots of an V-6 RS including the wheel assembly. What I noticed were the grey air stem caps, I guess because my Firebird still had them. Before the tires were all replaced I took all of the grey caps off and put them in my tool box to save. This thread caused them to come back to mind and their still where I put them for safe keeping.
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
I do prefer the weights on the inside of the rim instead of the outer lip... it may not be technically correct, BUT I have noticed that where the Lead weight contacts the lip of the rim often gets corroded... I suspect that the reason is the Aluminum is sacrificial when in contact with Steel which is a part of the lead weight where it attaches to the rim... So I have them use the Sticker weights on the inside of my rims for better appearance...
John
John
Larry
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
yea where can i get my hands on some??
#30
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Ok so I can confirm I got some on the way but there's limited quantities available, they are slightly different from what GM used back in the 80's. Attached is a photo of the GM OEM cap (this came off a 89 GTA many years ago but is used so the grey color is probably not what it used to be from the factory).
Compare this one (used GM OEM cap) with the one I posted above (brand new current style; not GM) and if you are happy getting them I can get 10 of them (new ones per above post) for $10 USD to your door.
My source is away for a couple of weeks so I wont be able to send them out until around September 6th and as I'm in the UK it normaly takes 5-8 business days across the pond.
You can paypal me the $10 USD (make sure your address details are correct) and I will send them out as soon as I can (around Sept 6th) and I will do this on a first come first served basis. My PayPal id is jlarsson@london.com
Pictured here is the GM OEM cap (this is NOT what you are buying)
Compare this one (used GM OEM cap) with the one I posted above (brand new current style; not GM) and if you are happy getting them I can get 10 of them (new ones per above post) for $10 USD to your door.
My source is away for a couple of weeks so I wont be able to send them out until around September 6th and as I'm in the UK it normaly takes 5-8 business days across the pond.
You can paypal me the $10 USD (make sure your address details are correct) and I will send them out as soon as I can (around Sept 6th) and I will do this on a first come first served basis. My PayPal id is jlarsson@london.com
Pictured here is the GM OEM cap (this is NOT what you are buying)
Last edited by jlarsson; 08-13-2008 at 04:14 AM.
#31
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Re: Old thread, Gray valve stem caps, I need them!!!
Ok I now have the gray caps in my possession!!! If you need some, not only very limited quantities, send me a PM or e-mail jlarsson@london.com
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