Valve stem cap styles

[Marc Roberts]

Could you guys comment on the stlyes of metal valve stem caps that were used in given years? Brass or nickel, kind of knurling, fluted, etc. I'm trying to create sets for 3 cars and I want tp try to get then right.

[Rich Eagle]

I found this interesting. I'm not sure it answers your question.
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/25 ... 1338838431
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/41 ... 1396232277

[Rich Eagle]

I don't see any ads for plain caps in these catalogs. They are Hammacher Schlemmer &Co and Rochester Automotive Equipment Corporation around 1919.

[Rich Eagle]

This was in a '15 to '27 Handbook.

And this, apperantly '32-'48:

[modeltspaz]

I see in your profile that you own two Ts from the teens. If you could post the year model of all your cars, it would help us quite a bit to reccomended the correct hardware that you need, since there are differences in type and finish through the years. Thanks.

Mike.

[Marc Roberts]

These would be for the 1914 and 1916 Model Ts and a 1910 Buick that also uses the 30x3 tire.

[Rich Eagle]

Maybe this is closer to the era you are looking for. It's from Self-propelled Vehicles Theo. Audel & Company 1910.

I suspect there were a number of different choices in those days.
I knew I was out of the norm when the Schraders with the slot for removing the valve core were referred to as the "screwdriver type" by some modern vendors.

[Scott_Conger]

this on-line book contains a fairly exhaustive treatise by Schrader, on the multitude of fitments and their hardware: https://books.google.com/books?id=oD0xA ... &q&f=false

[TRDxB2]

this on-line book contains a fairly exhaustive treatise by Schrader, on the multitude of fitments and their hardware: https://books.google.com/books?id=oD0xA ... &q&f=false

I downloaded the above file that Scott found and converted to a PDF. It displays a bit differently but has better resolution then when viewed directly from the above link. Thank Scott!

Pneumatic_Tire_Valve_Wrinkles.pdf

(1.14 MiB) Downloaded 48 times

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[Original Smith]

Keep in mind that Ford used dust covers over the valve stems, so you can't see those anyway!

[Steve Jelf]

If you look through a box of swap meet valve stems, nuts, and covers, you'll see that there's a large variety, maybe larger than the variety of timers or spark plugs made over the years. I know which stems are correct (Schrader 777), but I'm not sure which of the many covers belong with them. I wanted covers now, not in the sweet by-and-by, so I went with the ones I could find enough of to make full sets. No doubt somebody will be offended by my settling for the incorrect covers (everything offends somebody these days), but I am an insensitive clod and don't care.

I use these nickel era covers because they're the ones I could find in great condition.

These covers can be used on the correct Ford stems or the incorrect larger stems I use, depending on which nut is used. These incorrect larger stems are the size used on all of today's metal stemmed tubes.

Schrader 724 stem. Not correct, but it works.

Reproduction brass era covers are made to fit today's incorrect metal stemmed tubes. I suspect they may be correct except for the size of the stems they fit.

[Allan]

One needs to keep in mind that a valve cap in today's language does no equate with the dust covers of yore. Those dust covers can be fitted over a valve cap.

Dill made a dust cover which incorporated a valve cap, and it is a period correct device which is quite clever. You can even use them on rubber stemmed tubes They have 12 flat sides, and a valve removal tool on the end. The neat bit is the sliding valve cap within. This screws onto the standard small end of any valve stem. The dust cover is screwed on until it begins to bind a little. At this point, the cover can be slid down over the stem to hide it, and the cap tightened to hold the whole in place.

I love 'em!

Allan from down under.

[Rich Eagle]

These may be the type of Dill covers Allen mentioned:

There are more pictures of them on eBay:
https://www.bing.com/aclick?ld=e889mc8v ... 3d6a&ntb=1
The cap can be seen here:

[Original Smith]

The dust cover that Steve posted looks correct to me. The repros have a slight ledge under the knurl.

[Original Smith]

A correct early rim nut is posted above and has a straight vertical knurl around the edge. These have been correctly reproduced by Dan McEachern, and are available at $20.00 each from him. These are correct for 09-16 and possibly beyond in nickel. I know this information is not related to the post, but I'm posting it because so many early cars have the incorrect rim nuts.

[Humblej]

I have seen the Ford drawings at the Benson Ford Research Center for the Dill and Schrader style dust covers that Rich posted pictures of, so obviously Ford supplied parts. I do not remember the exact year of the Schrader style drawing, but the Dill style drawing was I think dated 1925 or 1926 or 1927. Both style dust covers were nickel plated, so not right for a 1914 or 1916 T, dont know about a 1910 Buick. The modern brass stem inner tubes have the stem diameter too large for the Dill and the correct small neck Schrader dust cover to fit over, but the larger base Schrader dust cover posted by Steve will fit perfectly and that is what I have on my car. I never tried the Dill style on a rubber stem inner tube but it makes sense they will work provided the stem diameter is small enough.

[Rich Eagle]

This is on the Henry Ford site with the description "on one valve stem cover: SCHRADER / UNIVERSAL VALVE B'KLYN N.Y. U.S.A. / PAT'D APRIL 30-07 AND JULY 9 -07 on four threaded rings: SCHRADER UNIVERSAL VALVE / N.Y. U.S.A.

I thought it might be of interest.
https://www.thehenryford.org/collection ... act/481665

[Original Smith]

I don't know why there is so much confusion on this topic! Do your research and find out what is correct for your car, and do it! Part of the problem is the people that make the modern brass valve stems. They are too big! They refuse to use the original size valve stems, which forces use to locate originals. The model A boys got exact copies of the model A size made for their cars, so why can't Coker and Lucas, and Lang's get together and have the correct ones made for our cars? The model A boys even got permission from Schrader to put their logo on the valve stems!

[DanTreace]

Larry

Your comments today are generated to the 'spammer' who is on the site now, posting on year's old thread to place his 'spam' in the link within the attachment of old posts......that spammer is active all today!!

[Original Smith]

Another topic that needs consideration are the bridge washers. The current reproductions are a joke! The originals were redesigned by Schrader and others at least three times. They are always the same size, and do the same job, but are constructed differently. I've said this many many times. If you wish to make a reproduction part do it correctly, or don't do it!