Early Valve Stem Cap?

[Zup]

I had a conversation with Charlie Osborne at Zedd Findings the other day and he mentioned that he was looking for 4 early valve stem caps.
This weekend I looked through stuff in my storage building and came across this:
It is a two piece affair---brass body with rubber cap. It has a logo down near the base with a 5 pointed star on either side of text that reads "Pacific". I don't know if this is really original or not, but it came from an original tire to HLS30-00248. Unfortunately it is the only one, as it was on the spare (175R14).
I can certainly understand why these would be hard to find, as valve stem caps would be thrown out as expendable--- without a thought given--- when a change of tires was required.

Does anyone have what they believe to be "original" valve stem caps or photos of them?

Jim D.
"Zup"

[black gold man]

You know that is a tool right.

[Bonzi Lon]

You know that is a tool right.

Sure do. Was a real prankster in my day.

I think I have several on my Roadster.

Bonzi Lon

[26th-Z]

Yes, that is a correct valve stem cap for the model and year you describe. I thought I had better pictures but I can't find them right now. Pacific is still in business and you can order a valve stem cap that very closely resembles the original.

[Arne]

Most Japanese car makers and tire/tube manufacturers used that same Pacific cap in the '70s. The reason for the rubber cap on top was actually for tube-type applications. If the tire goes flat, sometimes the tube's valve stem can get sucked inside the tire. The rubber cap was there to keep the sharp end of the cap tool from tearing up the inside of the tire.

[mgood]

I still have one on my original spare, not as early but a 76.

[sblake01]

Sure do. Was a real prankster in my day.

I had some 'friends' back in the day that were similar pranksters. That's why I learned to carry a spare valve stem or two and one of those caps in my cars back then.

[26th-Z]

I had to go search through the old computer to find this info: Pacific Industries Ltd. www.pacific-ind.com

[Willoughby Z]

It's a slotted Schrader valve cap that can also be used as a valve core removal tool.
Being mounted on the spare, it's handy because it will always be available in an emergency, like having been pranked.

[Zup]

Thanks to all who replied!
Yes I was aware of the "other" use.
As I mentioned, Charlie is trying to find 4 of these.
I sent an e-mail to Pacific Industries inquiring about where to get them. (Thanks so much 26th for the link!)
If anyone is willing to help Charlie out--- (he said he was deducted 4 points on his quest for "Gold" status because of this)--- he only needs 3 more.
I am sending him this one as I will never attain "Gold" status with my refreshstoration.

Thanks again!

Jim D.
"Zup"

[AZ-240z]

That is a pretty severe deduction for Charlie's car, Jim. To have gotten down to correct valve stem caps indicates that his car must truly be spectacular. Does he also have the original tires? I would be interested in buying at least four of the Pacific Industries valve stem caps so please let us know if you get a positive reply from Pacific Industries.

I also have a spare Bridgestone Superspeed-20 tire with this valve stem.

Dan

[Arne]

I may still have a few of those floating around in my stash, I'll check tonight when I get home.

[26th-Z]

Dan Banks won a Gold Medallion for his Z restoration several years ago and he was on a quest for the original caps which is how I know about all this. Charlie got dinked 4 points?! Something's not right, there. Those caps were fairly common on all Japanese cars of the period. I would imagine they are easier to find in Japan. The new ones can be ordered by the box and I forget what a box of them costs. Best of luck and my greetings to Charlie.

[zed2]

Interesting discussion. What was the last VIN number these Early Valve Stem Caps were used on?
Keith

[Taz0162]

Ok ok now you guys have me trying to get a set of these too for my 05/72 Z. Will update you after I get an email response from them.

[Taz0162]

Just a quick update. The company has yet to respond to my emails. Anyone else have any luck?

[Zup]

No response here either Taz---

Charlie confirmed that it was indeed the type he is looking for so I sent it off to him.

I think I will try to contact Esprist, as he seems to be well connected in Japan.
If that fails, I'll try Kats.

I am sure 26th knows what he is talking about, so they have to be available somewhere, somehow.

Would be better in my mind to have these rather than dice caps (or Z caps for that matter)---

Jim D.
"Zup"

[Taz0162]

Yep emailed pacific industries yet another time. No answer yet...

[psdenno]

Yep emailed pacific industries yet another time. No answer yet...

Depending on how important it is that you get the valve stem caps, you could skip email and go "old school" by phoning them in Japan at: [Sales] TEL +81-584-28-0105. Or call their USA office at 8935 Seward Road, Fairfield, Ohio 45011 U.S.A.
TEL +1-513-642-0055
FAX +1-513-642-0056
Dennis

[Taz0162]

The company emailed me back finally. Told me to go to a local auto parts store. They could not help me. Classy response from a company that makes the item I want but cannot find by me. Calling them next.

[Taz0162]

Noticed this over the weekend on MSA's Site. They are offering the correct caps now.

Motorsport! Pacific Tire Valve Stem Cap, 70-77 240Z-260Z-280Z - The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts

[Zup]

I noticed that this weekend also Chris---seems someone with connections read this thread and did something about it!

Glad to see another small piece become available again.

Jim D.
"Zup"

[Carl Beck]

Well - it is a Good News / Bad News situation. The Good News is that the valve caps are available for any one that wants/needs them. The Bad News is that FUN of having a set, or finding a set when they were hard to find - is no longer.

FWIW,
Carl B.

[Taz0162]

Either Way I ordered 6 caps today. Enough to have a spare.

[Carl Beck]

Noticed this over the weekend on MSA's Site. They are offering the correct caps now.

Now that I look at them more closely.

Are they really "correct"? I don't know - but they are not exactly the same as pictured in the 1st Post to this thread.

Some reproduced items are very hard to distinguish from the originals. The caps at Motorsports may be from the OEM - but they aren't exactly like the originals supplied at the time, so it would be easy to tell the difference..

FWIW,
Carl B.

[Arne]

Now that I look at them more closely.

Are they really "correct"? I don't know - but they are not exactly the same as pictured in the 1st Post to this thread.

Some reproduced items are very hard to distinguish from the originals. The caps at Motorsports may be from the OEM - but they aren't exactly like the originals supplied at the time, so it would be easy to tell the difference..

FWIW,
Carl B.

Yes, Carl, you are correct. Pacific updated the design of those caps years ago, in the '90s maybe? So the current ones are close, but not exact.

But the best part is that the originals are quite durable, other than the rubber tip cap. And the later rubber caps are either the same, or so close as to be indistinguishable. So find a set of the originals, even if the rubber is perished or gone, and use the rubber cap from the new ones as a replacement.

[Taz0162]

I Like Arnie's thought here. I'm still going to search for Original brass to use with the plastic on my new caps that are on order. But until then I'm not going let my Z sport the updated ones from MSA. Better then plain Plastic or this ones that Say Datsun or Z that look so bulky.

[redzedsled]

Banzai Motorworks mentioned to me a couple of months back that he was developing this product. For what it is worth please see attached an original valve stem cap from a 7/72 car.

[TomoHawk]

For the common vintage stuff, the Hemmings catalog and periodicals are very useful. Otherwise, I commonly see the metal valve-extractor caps at the AP store, which is why the suggestion for buying "valve caps" a the AP store was made (because the person replying didn't really understand you wanted the OLD-style ones.) I usually buy the ones with the chrome sleeve and the dinky hromed cap for local use/show. FWIW, I remember seeing these all the time way back in the 70s. I remember the guys tossing the rubber parts because they were annoying and occasionally fell off anyway, so the other 2 or 3 came off so they all matched. Back then, if you had a few of the valve-extrator caps, they weren't there for long, if you parked the car much in public places...

[mgood]

Here is a combo picture for comparison. Close but not the same.

[Zulaytr]

I could only find nickel plated caps so here is another solution but it requires some ingenuity.Here is a photo of what I found to be very close to the original design. I found these at Coker Tire for a $1 each. I lightly sprayed some Eastwood Bronze Carb Renew and this is how it turned out.

[AZ-240z]

Bob,

Nice, inovative, solution. Well done! Did the black plastic/rubber protective cap come with it, or where did you source those?

Dan

[Zulaytr]

Dan,

I have had these now for awhile. Both caps are sold as one for a $1.00 each. Coker has them on their web site under valve stem accessories. I had checked all around including local bike shops when I came across them.

[motorman7]

Dan,

Both caps are sold as one for a $1.00 each. Coker has them on their web site under valve stem accessories..

Do you mean the rubber piece is also included? Only the metal part is diplayed on the Coker site.

[Zulaytr]

Yes the black cap comes with the metal cap. You are correct that on the web site they only show the metal part.

[motorman7]

Very Cool, Thanks! Will order mine now

[26th-Z]

I want to point out, and if you look at the pictures I attached in post #4, that the word PACIFIC and a star shape is inscribed on the body of the original cap. Actually, the star shape is on either end of the word PACIFIC.

[AZ-240z]

Thanks Bob. The shape of the metal base is obviously a closer match to the original. I have an original on my NOS spare tire and was able to source four more to use for the 2012 ZCON show.

[AZ-240z]

Great points, Chris. And, to take these details a step further, the black covers on both the original valve stem cap, and the new iteration offered by MSA, have the word PACIFIC with STARS embossed on the top. The Metal base of the new cap offered by MSA also has the word PACIFIC but with no "stars" incscribed on the barrel of the base.

Just my opinion, but I think, for total originality, the most obvious difference has to be the shape of the metal base.