|
Author
|
Topic: 68 Pop Open Gas Cap
|
husky73
Journeyman Posts: 30
From: flagler beach, fla
Registered: Feb 2003
|
posted 07-03-2003 10:03 AM
 
Just found a Ford 68 GT Pop-open gas cap in very good condition. My question is, is there suppose to be a screw type gas cap that fits under the Pop-Open cap? Or, does it just seal tight when closed?Thanks
|
Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
|
posted 07-03-2003 10:40 AM
It just seals tight when closed. If you've seen one before with another cap beneath the main one, it was probably modified in the '70s when people started stealing gas.[This message has been edited by Fastback68 (edited 07-03-2003).]
|
RICKS
Gearhead Posts: 438
From: Ocala, FL
Registered: Mar 2001
|
posted 07-03-2003 03:04 PM
It's not about stolen gas. Ford "retro'd" the pop-open caps a little over 10 years ago because of goverment regulations that outlawed the pop-open style cap, as it could pop open in a rear end accident and spill all over the place. Regulation and liability, that's what caused a bunch of pop open caps to spill out on the market that had the spring-loaded plunger removed, and a conventional twist on cap included in the box. All of the repro pop-open caps are also the same way, because of the same legal mumbo jumbo, but they also provide you with all the stuff you need to set it up like original. It simply comes disassembled, leaving the purchaser shouldering any responsibility should they choose to disobey the law 
|
Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
|
posted 07-03-2003 06:12 PM
Interesting! On a related subject, what was the deal with the 71 pop open cap - the cool one that looks like it's rivetted.
Did Ford withdraw it by itself 'cos it was implicated in a bunch of car explosions? Presumably they tested it before making thousands.
Also, are they really dangerous? I'd love to put one on my 72.
|
70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 1064
From: Orange County, CA
Registered: Dec 2001
|
posted 07-04-2003 12:07 AM
Pop open caps had been around for a while, even before Ford used them on Mustangs. I believe some of the British sports cars had them, like Jags, and they were used by Dodge on the Chargers. It was probably one of those things that the government finally decided to put a stop to. It probably wasn't just the chance of explosion at time of impact, but also it could make a dangerous situation for emergency personnel at accident scenes what with all the leaking gas, if the cap had opened.------------------
Gary M.-
1970 Mustang Deluxe SportsRoof (daily driver), 1946 Ford pickup, 1947 Ford pickup, 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Town Vic
|
Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
|
posted 07-04-2003 04:09 AM
Maybe it was, like you suggest, 6 of this and 6 of that. In England, they all but disappeared after 1974 anyway because, like I said, everyone started stealing gas.
I did hear that the 71 Stang cap was a special case though, which is why it was dropped for a 70 (?) pop open cap in 72.
|
SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 48752
From: Saco, Maine
Registered: May 99
|
posted 07-04-2003 03:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Fastback68:
I did hear that the 71 Stang cap was a special case though, which is why it was dropped for a 70 (?) pop open cap in 72.
Only the '71 Mach 1 got that stainless steel pop open cap. All other '71-'73 Mustangs use twist offs. ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 - '72 Mustang Sprint - '94 F-150 Please remember our sponsors,
Mustangs Plus, NPD, Osborn Reproductions, MyFordPerformance.com, and FordRamAir.com
|
sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 07-06-2003 01:41 PM
Husky, if the one you found is original, then there's a rubber seal with a spring behind it so that it makes a tight seal when the cap is pushed closed. Rick covered the later ones with the twist cap underneath.Simon, here's my opinion on whether they are dangerous or not. I have an original pop-open cap on my 68 and love it. Here's how I look at it. Driving down the road, gas isn't just going to pour out. Even if you forget to close the cap (like I do sometimes, or I thought I did but didn't and it fell back open), gas still doesn't just magically come flying out the gas cap simply because its open. If I were to be rear ended, what are the chances that I would be hit in such a way that the gas cap would pop and gas would come UP the filler neck and spill? Anything is possible, I know, but its highly unlikely. Basically you are looking at some sort of damage on the rear of the car, probably rupturing the gas tank anyhow. That's why there was that scare a few years ago with coupes and people buying those trunk dividers strong enough to outfit an army tank. Hey, if the fuel tank is going to rupture anyhow, who cares if the gas cap is popped open or not, most likely the dang thing would be ripped off anyhow whether it was a twist or a pop-off. MNSHO, I am not going to succumb to irrational scare tactics that defy common sense. Besides, having to twist off a smaller cap under the pop-open cap defeats the purpose of the pop-open cap.
|
husky73
Journeyman Posts: 30
From: flagler beach, fla
Registered: Feb 2003
|
posted 07-07-2003 07:20 AM
it does have the rubber seal and spring. I added a second seal and it works great.Thanks
|
68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 3835
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 07-08-2003 08:08 AM
With the cap open it will come flying out with a ¾ to a full tank on my fastback when I get on it.  quote:
Originally posted by sigtauenus:
Here's how I look at it. Driving down the road, gas isn't just going to pour out. Even if you forget to close the cap (like I do sometimes, or I thought I did but didn't and it fell back open), gas still doesn't just magically come flying out the gas cap simply because its open.
------------------
Ed S. 68 S-code FB GT 4spd(now C6)/3.25 PS PDB
68 J-code(now 289) Cp Sprint"B" C4/3L00-9" PDB PS AC
99 F150 XLT Ext/cab, 4X4, 5.4L, 3L55
95 Exploder XLT with the works! (Wife's car)
|
mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 8198
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 07-10-2003 07:42 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 68 S-code GT:
With the cap open it will come flying out with a ¾ to a full tank on my fastback when I get on it.
On my ol' yellow 68 cv, the pop open DID pop open after hitting a pot hole that took out a tire. Noticed it was open when going to change the tire. Went to hdwe store got a 2" stainless phillips head screw, large enough in dia to thread through the top hole in the tail light panel, the hole that accepts a gas filler housing attaching screw. (after you have removed the housing to body screw) It helps to drill about a 3/16" hole in the tail light panel brace inside trunk, just above the access hole for the filler hose. This allows easier use of the phillips screw driver. Screwing that screw though the body will allow the screw to enter the filler housing, stopping the filler handle from being lifted to open. The first time you do this go slowly and you will see that the screw will NOT harm the cap in any way! This simple trick will stop the cap from opening and will also discourage gas cap "boosters" from a cap removal gig. Have done this on 4 different 67/8's with pop open caps and it DOES work. It is not noticeable in a judged show, but would be easily removed and replaced with the orig if it is ever nec. It will work without the screwdrver access hole (didn't do it on the first car) but found it was a little easier with the hole. Hope this helps someone.
|
sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 07-10-2003 10:02 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 68 S-code GT:
With the cap open it will come flying out with a ¾ to a full tank on my fastback when I get on it.
Wow, I stand corrected. I don't have as much ooomph.
|
jkilroy
Gearhead Posts: 1811
From: Vicksburg, MS
Registered: Dec 99
|
posted 07-10-2003 11:25 AM
The pop-open on my 68 was really loose when I first purchased the car. The original seal was smased flat and hard. It would spill gas all over the place if I romped on it. I bought a thick piece of rubberized cork and cut a new gasket. Once that thing was siliconed on I have had no problems. The cap is a lot tighter and will *not* leak.------------------
Jay Kilroy
68' Fastback GT 390
"No such thing as a cam thats too big"
|
kinger44
Gearhead Posts: 376
From: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted 06-11-2006 03:14 PM
I have just purchased a repro pop off for a 68 coupe. I have a some questions.1) mine did come with both the twist on cap and the spring loaded one. Trouble is,the instructions are simply a little sheet of paper with some pics on it showing what goes first, and what comes next. Not much help. What holds the big spring on? 2) Is there supposed to be a gasket between the whole unit and the painted surface? Mine didn't come with one. 3) How tight should the outside edge fit to the painted surface. Mine sticks out a fair bit. Any help greatly appreciated. Regards, Gregg ------------------
68 coupe, red on black. FULL RESTORATION UNDERWAY!!! http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/MembersPics/kinger44.html
|
mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 8198
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 06-12-2006 09:33 AM
Currently have a nice original pop open cap. It is rigged with the stainless screw as mentioned a couple years ago. It will NEVER come open with that unless, God forbid, you get hit!
|
sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 06-12-2006 10:27 AM
Pete, I'm not sure I follow you on this. That screw that you described keeps the pop-open cap from coming open, correct? If that is the case, do you have to back that screw out every time you want to fill up the tank?
|
mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 8198
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 06-12-2006 02:12 PM
Dayam! You getting smarter every day!  Yeah, you do. I keep a phillips in trunk, back it out just enough to clear. When done screw it back in. Sounds kinda dumb but it does work. First time you do it, go slow and you can figure where the screw goes in. It will not disfigure it, look obvious when decklid is open, etc. My original concern was knowing that it COULD pop open but also it would prevent someone from opening it.
|
kinger44
Gearhead Posts: 376
From: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Sep 2004
|
posted 06-12-2006 03:27 PM
Can anyone help me with the 3 questions posted above????Thanks Gregg
|
sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 06-16-2006 07:43 AM
No help on the repro, sorry.There is not supposed to be a gasket between the cas cap assembly and the painted surface of the car, although there is a gasket between the gas filler neck and the painted surface. I suspect the question is because the gas cap is significantly bigger than the filler neck, unlike twist off caps. My car is disassembled right now, but I do recall a gap between the chrome base of the cap and the paint. Not sure how large of a gap it was though.
|
mellowyellow
Gearhead Posts: 8198
From: So. Fl.
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 06-16-2006 09:19 AM
Mine is fairly close until the tailite panel begins to flare out toward bumper. Then, the gap increasses-not too noticeable though.
|
68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 3835
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
|
posted 06-20-2006 07:50 AM
I never had a reproduction but there is a cork gasket between the taillight panel and the filler neck flange. The body of the cap doesn’t fit up tight against the taillight panel either. There is some space and it’s not all that even or in other word not a perfect fit.------------------
Ed S. 68 S-code FB GT 4spd(now C6)/3.25 PS PDB
68 J-code(now 289) Cp Sprint"B" C4/3L00-9" PDB PS AC Bla-Bla-Bla
99 F150 XLT Ext/cab, 4X4, 5.4L, 3L55
|
sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 3969
From: Va Beach
Registered: Jun 2000
|
posted 06-20-2006 11:17 AM
quote:
Originally posted by 68 S-code GT:
There is some space and it’s not all that even or in other word not a perfect fit.
LOL, you could be talking about just about anything on these cars...
|
