Another OEM vs. REPRO comparo thread! Just so you know, Olds SSIII chrome wheels- many of them came with gray valve stem caps on the 1.25" long tire valves. The reason for this was simple...um, actually, there is no reason that I could find. Spares had them too. Anyway I don't recall them on my 87 Salon as I was not the original owner and the tires were changed, but the rest of the VIN 9 cars came with them with the chrome super stock wheels. Regardless, these usually end up at the tire shop the first time new tires and valves are put on. So a lot of owners don't even know or remember their car came with gray valve stem caps from the factory.
GN and Montes SS had them too, and probably other GM cars. Mustanks and some other brands used gray caps too, but usually a different style. But that notwithstanding, the GM OEM ones in decent shape are getting harder to find. Classic Industries were the only ones selling "repros" of these for $0.99 each. I use quotes to denote they're basically repros of the black Dill 627 valve stem cap and simply painted a darker gray than the OEM. The OEM example here is originally from my 85 442 and they are molded in gray plastic, not black plastic and then spray painted gray. They seem a tad softer than the repro as well. That could be age, I dunno.
It's very apparent from the underside of the repro cap you can see the black plastic inside with gray overspray drops. While under there, note that the repro caps' threads are very light compared to OEM. Meaning go easy on them because they'll likely strip pretty easy. The thickness seems to be the same, and dimensionally from the outside they're passable. But not a dead ringer by a long shot. As stated, while the gray may have faded a bit on a 36 year old cap, the new cap is definitely a different shade. Luckily they're not all on the same wheel.
Useable? Yes. Worth it? Meh...you could probably go snag up some black Dill 627 caps at the tire store from the guys in the shop area and paint your own. And pick the right shade of gray.
Anyway, that's my take on another repro part.
GN and Montes SS had them too, and probably other GM cars. Mustanks and some other brands used gray caps too, but usually a different style. But that notwithstanding, the GM OEM ones in decent shape are getting harder to find. Classic Industries were the only ones selling "repros" of these for $0.99 each. I use quotes to denote they're basically repros of the black Dill 627 valve stem cap and simply painted a darker gray than the OEM. The OEM example here is originally from my 85 442 and they are molded in gray plastic, not black plastic and then spray painted gray. They seem a tad softer than the repro as well. That could be age, I dunno.
It's very apparent from the underside of the repro cap you can see the black plastic inside with gray overspray drops. While under there, note that the repro caps' threads are very light compared to OEM. Meaning go easy on them because they'll likely strip pretty easy. The thickness seems to be the same, and dimensionally from the outside they're passable. But not a dead ringer by a long shot. As stated, while the gray may have faded a bit on a 36 year old cap, the new cap is definitely a different shade. Luckily they're not all on the same wheel.
Useable? Yes. Worth it? Meh...you could probably go snag up some black Dill 627 caps at the tire store from the guys in the shop area and paint your own. And pick the right shade of gray.
Anyway, that's my take on another repro part.