| Author | Message | ||
     Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 425 Registered: 4-2016 |
Good Morning Gents, Its Friday here so I'm happy. Question: Does anyone know what type of valve caps were fitted to Series 1 Shadows from the factory? My car has this type, which has the valve tool on the end. Looks ok, but not sure if it is correct.  | ||
| richard george yeaman Grand Master Username: richyrich Post Number: 602 Registered: 4-2012 |
Patrick don't know for sure but yours are from the same era. Richard. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 428 Registered: 4-2016 |
Hi Richard, Thanks for replying. These are exactly the same type of caps my dad always ran on his cars for as long as I remember. So your spot on about the era mate. Little things like this are just impossible to find information on. The build sheet does not show this kind of thing, and I don't remember reading anything about it on the chassis number/factory modifications over the life of the car since 65. It reminds me of my search for the right washer bottle. It seems they just fitted what Lucas had in stock that week. I must have seen 20 different types of washer bottles fitted to series I cars. | ||
| Jonas TRACHSEL Frequent User Username: jonas_trachsel Post Number: 98 Registered: 2-2005 |
Look at a "never used" spare wheel. This will tell you what valve cap were used. The valve cap shown in your picture should have a small protective rubber tip cap over the valve tool part. | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1619 Registered: 6-2006 |
I don't think they were ever fitted at the factory. Shadow 1s span a decade. I think most had the normal plastic types but have the feeling the early ones had the metal type used on Clouds. | ||
| gordon le feuvre Prolific User Username: triumph Post Number: 137 Registered: 7-2012 |
Paul is absolutely correct. I have worked on Shadows since 1966 | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Grand Master Username: bob_uk Post Number: 1109 Registered: 5-2015 |
Mine has black plastic. I have a proper valve screw driver cheap £3 1974 SS1 | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 432 Registered: 4-2016 |
Good info gents. Jonas, I have seen these caps all my life, but never ones with rubber on the end. You have now set me on a mission  | ||
| Robert Noel Reddington Grand Master Username: bob_uk Post Number: 1110 Registered: 5-2015 |
At high speed centrifugal force can lift the valve. So for hooning around at 150mph one needs the brass ones with the wee rubber seal in the bottom. Or anodized aluminum ones for a bit of bling. RR or B logo as well. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 435 Registered: 4-2016 |
Got these today from Super Cheap Auto. $5.99 Bargain.  | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 437 Registered: 4-2016 |
Wow Don't know how that double posting happened?  Never fear - have deleted accordingly - David | ||
| ross kowalski Frequent User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 75 Registered: 11-2015 |
Patrick, the little rubber covers look like this  These are the real deal high quality caps from Schrader They have the little air bleed dimple on the top, a rubber o-ring inside, and have Schrader printed on them. These are the RR of plastic valve caps.  | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 438 Registered: 4-2016 |
Hi Ross, That's great info. I have never seen either of these. Thanks for sharing. I will start to look for the ones with the boots on them. | ||
| Patrick Lockyer. Grand Master Username: pat_lockyer Post Number: 1035 Registered: 9-2004 |
For the valve caps,these are the type on my Shadow 1 from new,Schrader is the name.  The stove choke pipes for the operation should have the required heat resistant coverings.  On one of my 80s cars for the valve support for speeds up to 160 MPH the wheel has this support spot welded.  Will do a picture of the 185 mph plus valve configuration when next down in the motor house. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 449 Registered: 4-2016 |
That's fantastic info Pat. Thanks for sharing. The heat resistant material is interesting indeed. I have not seen this on any Shadow before, as I guess it has just perished, or been blasted away by careless cleaning. I know how hot it can get, I mean amazingly hot. The valve caps are interesting indeed. My 25 Chevrolet has the same caps. Your last pic of the valve support is also new to me, never seen this before. | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 2172 Registered: 4-2003 |
Patrick, The original stove pipes on DRH14434 were insulated with woven asbestos fibre so take special care handling these items if this insulation is present on the pipes. I had to make new pipes for the Corniche as the old ones had corroded and I purposely left them bare as I considered the insulation would only have been relevant in cold climates with sub-zero temperatures to keep warm-up times to a minimum. I expect the US auto racing after-market suppliers would still stock suitable non-asbestos insulating sleeves/wraps for engine bay and exhaust system components. The tyre valve caps were identical to those shown in Pat Lockyer's photograph. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 450 Registered: 4-2016 |
David, Thanks for the input mate. Great info as always. | ||
| ross kowalski Frequent User Username: cdfpw Post Number: 82 Registered: 11-2015 |
http://www.textiletechnologies.co.uk/ht750-sleeving.html That asbestos insulation looks kind of like spark plug insulation sleeve, but the above stuff comes in 10mm diameter and I think spark plug insulation comes in 13 or 14mm which would look saggy. Hit it with a little VHT black header paint, bobs your uncle. | ||
| Patrick Ryan Grand Master Username: patrick_r Post Number: 454 Registered: 4-2016 |
Thanks Ross, That look like it will do the trick for sure. | ||
| Geoff Wootton Grand Master Username: dounraey Post Number: 1375 Registered: 5-2012 |
Ross That's a really good find. I replaced the asbestos stove pipe sleeves on my car as they were worn and a bit powdery (using suitable safety precautions). I replaced them with the spark plug insulation sleeve which has been satisfactory and performed well, but this is much better. It's cheaper, has a higher temperature rating and also looks like the original woven asbestos sleeve. The perfect replacement. Geoff |
