1964 Locking Gas Cap

[Patrick C.]

[Michael J.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

It doesn't matter if it is a period correct dealer added option, it is not typical factory production and will thus get a full deduction for originality, 3 points, and will get no condition points either, so another 3 points.

[John L.]

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

My car came with a regular cap also so I think I’m good. I just need a gasket for the locking cap. I will use this at shows. It is kinda cool IMHO. My ‘66 L79 also has a locking cap just like this one. Must have been popular back in the day.

[Mike B.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

Hi Pat,

When I bought my '66 back in 1988 it had the dealer installed locking gas cap on it as well. I think they're cool too. So much so that I've inherited a couple more through the years. Yep, you'll get dinged if you have your car judged with it on.

I don't have any spare gaskets. When I bought the car it had a slight leak at the cap and I soon spotted the black gasket laying on the bottom of the tank. I fished it out, cleaned it and re-glued it to the cap and it worked great until I disassembled the car and stored the cap away.

My car came with a separate Briggs and Stratton gas key exactly like the NOS cap I show in these pics. A prior owner took your cap to a locksmith and had the tumblers matched to your ignition key (or vice-versa).

They make close reproductions of these caps Pat. Maybe they sell the gaskets? The NOS cap I show here has a cork gasket vs. the black rubber type like ours have.

I notice you're in Oklahoma. I bought my car 30 years ago when I was stationed there at Altus AFB. Good old days!

1st 4 shots are my cap. Last 2 of an NOS cap that was for sale for a gazillion bucks on that on-line auction site. Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

The following locking gas cap came with my ‘64 when I bought it from the 2nd owner. Is this a period dealer accessory? Would it be appropriate to leave it on for judging? It uses the same key as the ignition. Anyone know where I could obtain a new gasket?

Pat------


I've never seen or heard of one of these locking caps that used the same key as the ignition. Perhaps, someone re-keyed it assuming that's even possible.

These caps should only be used when the vehicle is parked in a "threatening environment" (e.g. somewhere where someone might steal a correct, original cap). They should never be used on-the-road. They leak, even with a new gasket. Used only as I suggest, the condition of the gasket does not matter.

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

It is interesting because the locking cap on my ‘66 Corvette uses a key like Mikes NOS cap above. Neither of my caps have the vent hole however. I bet that could be a problem?? I think I will take Joes advice and just use it for security.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

Pat------




These caps should only be used when the vehicle is parked in a "threatening environment" (e.g. somewhere where someone might steal a correct, original cap). They should never be used on-the-road. They leak, even with a new gasket. Used only as I suggest, the condition of the gasket does not matter.

Joe,
Immediately after buying my '69 in '71 I purchased a locking gas cap from the local dealer and used it for many years without a problem- no leaks, etc. Living at the time in Queens I was afraid of someone putting something in the tank and then in '73 there was a lot of gas siphoning going on so the cap was in daily use until the 80's. It has the B&S keys and the vent hole and is now quite pitted and needs to be replated but still operates as new.
Jeff

[Alan D.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

Purchased my 64 in 67 - had locking cap and used till interested in NCRS judging in 2000. Never had any problems! Used the B&S key, but never used since one could open with a dime (one less key to carry). So no for judging and make your own gasket.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

If the gasket is the same size as OEM fiber gasket, DR REBUILD sells replacement rubber gaskets (as well as OEM fiber gaskets). Part #3028200. Very cheap $.

So measure original cap and the locking cap. If the same gasket, order replacement from the DR.

Larry

[Mike B.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

I put my '66 through some very fun hard driving. As stated previously, once the gasket was reinstalled it never leaked one time. I'm in with Jeff. I never liked walking away from my car without protecting her from someone tampering with my gas cap or tank.

My cap shown will not unlock without the Briggs and Stratton key that came with the key set. Wish I had the extra key.

[Patrick C.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

I put my '66 through some very fun hard driving. As stated previously, once the gasket was reinstalled it never leaked one time. I'm in with Jeff. I never liked walking away from my car without protecting her from someone tampering with my gas cap or tank.

My cap shown will not unlock without the Briggs and Stratton key that came with the key set. Wish I had the extra key.

Try Jesser for an extra key or Ace Hardware. There must be two versions of the caps. One vented and one not....neither of mine have vent holes.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

Try Jesser for an extra key or Ace Hardware. There must be two versions of the caps. One vented and one not....neither of mine have vent holes.

Patrick------


There were two versions of the cap-----one was vented (with the hole), the other unvented (no hole). The first was applicable to 1963-69 Corvettes; the second to 1970-74 Corvettes. Sometimes, but not always, the non-vented cap has a "textured" surface. All caps supplied through GM SERVICE parts used a Briggs & Stratton key. Aftermarket caps were similar but use a different style key. As I mentioned, I do not understand how any of these caps could have originally used the ignition key. These caps were never supplied as a factory-installed option so there would be no way of originally keying the ignition cylinder and the cap lock alike. It's possible that the caps were re-keyed by an owner to match the ignition lock assuming it's even possible to do that. I suppose it's also possible that an ignition key will work in the lock even though not intended to do so.

Although all 1969 Corvettes were originally installed with an OEM (non-locking) vented style gas cap, late 1969's with a gas tank with an integral pressure vacuum valve could use either a vented or non-vented cap. Earlier Corvettes with a gas tank replaced after about 1969 with a GM SERVICE tank could also use a non-vented cap since the replacement tank was equipped with an integral pressure-vacuum valve. My 1969 Corvette was originally fitted with a tank with integral pressure-vacuum valve. I tried both vented and and non-vented locking caps including at least two of each type. ALL LEAKED. Did they leak badly? No, they did not but ALL LEAKED. Especially with 68+ convertibles, leakage of fuel at the gas cap causes fuel vapors to waft into the passenger compartment, top up or down.

One more thing: 1963 Corvettes originally used a PRODUCTION gas cap with a simple hole for venting. Due to unsatisfactory performance of this cap, it was replaced with a cap using a pressure-vacuum valve and that style cap was thereafter used in PRODUCTION through 1969. GM did not change the design of the gas cap because the original (and, presumably less expensive) style worked just as well. All of the vented-type, locking gas caps for 1963-69 Corvettes use the simple hole style of venting. You can draw your own conclusions.

[Larry E.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

[QUOTE=Joe Lucia (12484

These caps should only be used when the vehicle is parked in a "threatening environment" (e.g. somewhere where someone might steal a correct, original cap). They should never be used on-the-road. They leak, even with a new gasket. Used only as I suggest, the condition of the gasket does not matter.[/QUOTE]

Joe: Never say never. I bought new a 1977 Chevy Sport P/U. It has a factory installed locking gas cap. I was there when
the Semi came to deliver to my local Chevy Dealer. The gas cap WAS INSTALLED ON THE TRUCK FROM THE FACTORY. I was given 3 keys to operated the vehicle. AFAIK>This was one(maybe the only one)model that had a locking cap from the factory installed.
Still have the truck (now stored)with the cap still on. Never had a problem with it. Picture below: Thanks-Larry

[Joe L.]

Re: 1964 Locking Gas Cap

Joe: Never say never. I bought new a 1977 Chevy Sport P/U. It has a factory installed locking gas cap. I was there when
the Semi came to deliver to my local Chevy Dealer. The gas cap WAS INSTALLED ON THE TRUCK FROM THE FACTORY. I was given 3 keys to operated the vehicle. AFAIK>This was one(maybe the only one)model that had a locking cap from the factory installed.
Still have the truck (now stored)with the cap still on. Never had a problem with it. Picture below: Thanks-Larry

Larry------

I never said or implied that no vehicles were ever originally supplied with a locking gas cap. Some may have been but, if so, Corvette was not one of them.

By the way, in 1975 Corvette went to a different style gas cap which, basically, continued to be used through 1982. That style when converted to locking style is not prone to leakage.

Your 1977 Chevrolet truck used a different style cap with lugs. I don't know how that style cap performs in the locking style. However, I would presume that this style cap would perform equally well with standard or locking versions since the basic sealing mechanism is the same for both.