63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

[Geoff C.]

63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

I got an email from a fellow who installed this locking gas cap and he says it will not come off. Since this is the one and only repro I have ever had experience with, I am curious if anyone else has had any experience with this new reproduction part.

Geoffrey Coenen

[Joe L.]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

Geoffrey------

I've never used a reproduction locking gas cap. I have enough of the GM variety of both vented and non-nented type to last me for the next 500 years, or so. I don't even use one of those except when I'm traveling and want to lock the gas cap overnight (very rarely). I NEVER use these on the road----they leak.

Anyway, as you know, the standard fuel cap and the locking caps lock using a different "mechanism". The standard caps use a cam lock while the locking caps use retractable clamps. The clamps are spring-loaded and will (usually) install without use of the key. However, the key is required to retract the clamps and remove the cap. If the clamps don't retract enough when the key is turned, it will be difficult or impossible to remove the cap. I would hope that folks would check the operation of the cap PRIOR to installing it to make sure that the clamps will retract ALL THE WAY. If they don't, then DON'T INSTALL THE CAP.

It's also possible that the fuel filler neck is distorted in some way which prevents full release of the cap when the key is turned and an attempt is made to pull it away. What I would suggest is that the person rotate the cap to a variety of different positions and try removing it at each position. If that doesn't work, I don't know what to suggest.

[Mark Milner]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

One of the worse inventions made. Most keep the owner out and will pop off willingly for a thief.

Tell him to push down on the cap hard when he turns the key. He may have to try both ways on the key. He also has to hold the key all the way while pulling the cap off. Believe it or not, some think it is like a door lock, turn, let go, then remove cap.

If that doesn't work, while holding the key, you can sometimes pry the cap one direction, then the other to get the fingers to move into the cap and release from the tank opening.

Last, he can remove the filler from the tank and compress the fingers from the other side. Then reinstall the filler and use a regular cap.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

It has got to be the wrong key or maybe he's not holding the key in position when he takes it off. If all else fails, tell him to use a flat blade screwdriver instead of the key(and then use the screwdriver from then on). That's what the gas thieves use.

What a useless thing. I've had two on my 67. The first one a thief (probably a Bronx Boy) used the screwdriver trick on it in the early 70's. The second one I just replaced recently with a non-locking vented gas cap. Never had a problem with getting them off, but they are a false sense of security, and I lost 6 points on it.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Mark #28455]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

I have one on one of my cars. To work without trouble I can ONLY install it so the locking tangs perfectly line up with the slots where the normal cap comes off. If not aligned, it won't come off. If he twisted it after installation, that's likely what's happening to him too.
Mark

[Alan Drake]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

Have one on my 64 since new (for me in 67) and never any problem, even when I don't have the key a dime works just fine, so the screw driver must also work.
Are these considered original or does one need to get a manual cap?

[john daly]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

jerry
Been living here in the Bronx all my life an no one has ever touched the gas caps on my cars locking or otherwise....
john

[Jack H.]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

Locking gas cap was a dealer vs. factory item and, on the judging field, will qualify as a 'service replacement' part and garner an originality deduction. The deduction will vary with how close to the real McCoy, dealer installed, locking cap the one on your car actually is in terms of configuration...

[Tony Merendino]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

I was also born and raised in the Bronx. The last thing you had to worry about if you parked your Corvette on the street was that they were going to steal your gas. As a matter of fact I know many a muscle car owner in the Bronx who would have given their eye tooth if all that was stolen was the gas in the tank.

[Gerard F.]

Lost a full 6 points, 3 & 3 on my 67

But it was an over the counter cap from the 70's

Jerry Fuccillo

[Roy B.]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

I also got a repro locking gas cap for my new 52 Chevy car, and because I also have the original Bowtie dealer accessory locking gas cap for my 55 and other for my 67, I know to check and see that the spring loaded dogs or clamps when in the unlock position should disappear in to the housing. The repro I got dint because they use the wrong springs not allowing the dogs to recess back fare . Before you install the repro cap be sure they do and if not take the unit apart file the dogs ends shorter so that the dogs will and it will work just fine.Here is a pic. Of the 55 locking gas cap for 53 to 62 Corvette only.
Next pic. 67 Corvette

[Roy B.]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap *NM*

[Charles P.]

Re: 63-74 repro Locking Gas Cap

Read "Corvette Odyssey" if you don't believe they would be only interested in the gas. I do believe that car was stolen in Brooklyn though.