C2 Gas Cap Handle Orientation

[Rick S.]

In preparation for re-plating my gas cap I noticed that the handle on my 67 cap had the tabs bent towards the "Vented" side and I had another cap on hand that the tabs were bent the opposite way. I was at a friends restoration shop yesterday and checked 6-8 C2 caps and discovered that all of them had the tabs bent away from "Vented" side. Both caps have the stamped logo "sm" on the reverse side and appear original. Was there a standard as to how this handle was attached or was it done both ways and randomly?

Rick

[John H.]

Re: C2 Gas Cap Handle Orientation

Rick -

The GM drawing for the cap shows the tabs facing away from the "VENTED" stamping, but doesn't specifically mandate that position; it just says "handle must not cover word "VENTED". The low volume of this cap at Stant Manufacturing probably dictated a manual handle-to-cap welding operation, so it's conceivable that they were made both ways.

[Rick S.]

Re: C2 Gas Cap Handle Orientation

John,
Which one would put on your car for judging?

Rick

[Gary B.]

C2 Gas Cap Handle Orientation

Rick,

If it's not going to cost you points, why not stick with your original? Otherwise another small piece of history will be lost. If the spot welds look correct and the SMC looks correct, I don't see how any judge could reasonably take a deduct on your original cap.

Gary

[Rick S.]

Re: C2 Gas Cap Handle Orientation

Gary,
I can't state with any certainty that it is original as I am the 4th owner. The other one was laying around the shop and it was after that I put them side by side that I noticed the difference. Mine does have minor pitting on the tank side and the encircled "sm" stamping is weak, so I will wait until they are zinc plated to see which one looks best. Thanks for your input.

Rick

[Gerard F.]

The one on the right in your picture

Rick,

Looks like a very unique and probably the original cap. It does have the small size welds of the handle to the top, unlike the replacement ones I've seen.

My original 67 cap had a very weak SMC logo stamp with an incomplete circle, like it was stamped at an angle. Here's what it looked like after plating (in cad):
Our cars are only about 12 days apart.

Here's what it looked like before the plating:
You could hardly discern it from the corrosion and pitting.

The plating is very thin and will bring out the logo, but it will depend upon how gentle you are with the plating preparation. I still have an incomplete circle around the SMC.

So, I think you ought to preserve the history, and judge it with what you think is your original cap, even if it is unique.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Kent K.]

If I wore Rick's shoes

Jerry,
When having the car judged, I would have the most commonly recognized gas cap installed and show the judges the other one for their opinions. Maybe after some level of confirmation, bravery would prevail to install what Rick believs is the original. There might be too many originals with tabs facing away from "vented" for acceptance of such a deviation, although, I believe it's possible.
Regards, Kent

[Gerard F.]

I'll bet there are others like Rick's

Kent,

As John pointed out, the GM drawing of the cap (p93 of Nolands C2 book) doesn't specify an exact positioning of handle. To the contrary, the notation of the position indicates that it could be in any position other than covering the words VENTED. Kind of a negative spec.

Anyone out there with a cap like Rick's (with the welding tabs on the VENTED side).

Just love these finer details

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Mike G.]

Re: C2 Gas Cap Handle Orientation

i have seen them both ways. its an easy mistake to make. they would not throw this cap out for this. they would just send it on. i have also seen two 67 corvettes with the numbers on the pad stamped upside down. the gas cap seems like an easier mistake to make.