1972 Oil fill cap?

[mitchell72]

On my small block valve covers, I was wondering if the oil fill cap was chrome painted or what?

Any pictures of OEM ones would be great too. Thanks.

[jmj4]

here's mine after a repaint of the engine. originally painted so went back the same.

[BKSS67]

It should be a rubber oil fill cap. If you had power brakes then you also would have had the oil fill extension tube on the drivers side.

I don t believe the metal oil fill cap is original to our trucks.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by BKSS67

It should be a rubber oil fill cap. If you had power brakes then you also would have had the oil fill extension tube on the drivers side.

I don t believe the metal oil fill cap is original to our trucks.

this is the correct explanation

[jeffahart]

Although the extension is an add on. I have a metal cap near the fire wall. When the engine was replaced with a re-manufactured 350 long block, back in 1990, all the existing parts were re-used with the long block.

[jmj4]

Originally Posted by BKSS67

It should be a rubber oil fill cap. If you had power brakes then you also would have had the oil fill extension tube on the drivers side.

I don t believe the metal oil fill cap is original to our trucks.

Certainly don't mean to mislead. My truck did not originally have the brake booster (i added it along w/ power steering and TH350 during a frame off this past year). I switched the valve covers which put the oil fill on the front right instead of the driver rear to allow more room. However, i don't have any reason to believe the fill cap isn't original as it was an unmodified family vehicle.

[jimbosprint]

Rubber oil fill caps on my '72 C20 with a 350.

Does anyone know where to buy a new rubber oil fill cap that fits under the A/C bracket?

[Lee H]

According to my Chassis and Body Parts Catalog, the correct cap for 71-72 is part number 3980273, a push in oil cap, made of rubber. These are widely available in NOS form and reproduction. GM used these on lots of cars & trucks beginning in 1971.

[FirstOwner69]

I don t believe the metal oil fill cap is original to our trucks.

This is NOT a totally true statement. It depends on the year. My 69 with 350 and A/C came new with an orange painted metal cap as pictured above that turns about 1/4 turn to "latch" in the left valve cover. I know the 72s had the push-in rubber plug. I have no reason to doubt that the 71s also used the rubber version as stated by Lee H. I'm almost certain the 67s and 68s also had the metal caps. 1971=???

[leddzepp]

The rubber cap is available in the HELP section of most parts stores.

[jeffahart]

So things don't get too confused. I should not have posted. Mine is a 1970. Sorry for interjecting!

[jmj4]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

So things don't get too confused. I should not have posted. Mine is a 1970. Sorry for interjecting!

Neither should I. Wasn't aware there were differences year to year.

[BKSS67]

Originally Posted by mitchell72

On my small block valve covers, I was wondering if the oil fill cap was chrome painted or what?

Any pictures of OEM ones would be great too. Thanks.

The original thread title specifically references a 1972.

Information regarding other years is great, but slightly off topic.

[BKSS67]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

This is NOT a totally true statement. It depends on the year. My 69 with 350 and A/C came new with an orange painted metal cap as pictured above that turns about 1/4 turn to "latch" in the left valve cover. I know the 72s had the push-in rubber plug. I have no reason to doubt that the 71s also used the rubber version as stated by Lee H. I'm almost certain the 67s and 68s also had the metal caps. 1971=???

I was responding to the original question, which asked about a 1972 oil cap.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by BKSS67

I was responding to the original question, which asked about a 1972 oil cap.

I totally understand and appreciate that. My response was based on 2 facts. First, the OP implied that he has a metal cap in his 72 (since he asked if the cap was chrome plated), and you used the words "our trucks" which I took as meaning 67-72 model years. Second, I read a lot of threads where folks are misled into thinking that a 67 is the same as a 72 except for a few visual differences which doesn't take into account the many running changes from year to year and even within a model year.

Off topic? Maybe slightly. But, I think the info was relevant for future readers. Sorry if this caused any confusion.

Does anyone know if the rubber caps were painted? I've seen them both ways. I'd think not since the oil tubes (when used) were black. Or, were the caps in the valve cover when the engine was painted and the tubes added later on the assembly line?