We purchased a brand new old stock galvanized oval Model T Ford gas tank that has a gas cap mounting hole but no threaded port for the gas cap to screw onto. There are lots of mounts and caps for sale in many places in stores and on the net but they are all for a flat surface. The oval tank we purchased has a slightly curved surface and we have checked and none of the many Model T stores offer the part. Does anyone know where we can purchase this part perhaps also with the gas cap so we can pop-rivet and solder it into place ?
Yes I know I could get a chunk of iron and file it into shape and then fasten a flat unit to it, but I want an original type, any clues ?
Thanking you in advance for any advice, Frank Harris 562 431 2845 fhmhlb@verizon.net-nospam clip before the dash to send e-mail.
Sounds like you need to find a junk Model T oval tank and salvage the fill fitting.
Frank, I think Ted has the best solution. I would think one could be found pretty easily. Dave
"We purchased a brand new old stock galvanized oval Model T Ford gas tank that has a gas cap mounting hole but no threaded port for the gas cap to screw onto."
What's wrong with this picture? They made gas tanks without filler necks on them?
I have an oval tank with loose baffles...yours for the price of shipping.
Frank is it the normal oval tank under the seat type or the upright oval for speedsters?
It is a flat oval with the filler on the flatter side and not a Rootlieb Speedster style of tank on edge with the filler on top. I will get out into the garage tomorrow and dig it out to post a picture of it. Right now the neck pain and Mary won't let me out into the garage at 10:00 P.M. I guess that it has a 24 inch radius as a curve because it has a very subtle curved surface on top.
I went out into the barn and took a picture of the tank as it rests. You can see that it is brand new but has no filler cap system. Brian Sul attempted to get me one but his was flat and I need one with a slight oval. This could be an excellent tank and needs a filler mechanism and cap.
I bet you could find a cork that'll fit in there!!
Frank, I'll look this weekend and see if I can find one, know I have it finding it is the problem. KB
Frank sometimes bargains are not bargains
The hole is two and a quarter inches in diameter.
I think John is on the right track. I am not sure its a treasure either.
Frank,I looked for over one hour today,as I know I have one,just can't remember where I stored it. If you haven't found one by first of week,I will cut one out of an old tank I have here.
Frank; Why not use a threaded port and cap from an old oil drum ?
Toon
I am surprised no one has come up with the piece from a bad tank yet. But then I don't have any extra tanks myself, good, bad or otherwise. I would recommend taking Hal Schedler's offer. If your tank is well made and good otherwise, it should be worth the cost of shipping plus a simple solder and rivet job.
With Hal's tank, if it is otherwise good, a loose baffle is not that difficult to fix. Really bad tanks must be around and easy to come by.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2
We sell new ones and they are ready to use, both threads are in them, where did you get that tank from? Bob
Robert Burgstadt, The tank came from the La Rue Thomas collection. La Rue owned and operated Thomas Brother's Cadillac in Los Angeles housed in a seven story building with huge elevators and had an extensive car collection on the premises as well as elsewhere. Being an automotive dealer and an active car collector he had privy to all sorts of automotive parts. So he could have obtained the tanks without caps so he could put them in race cars with special flip top filler systems. He also had several one and two gallon tanks with air nozzles so they could be pressurized and used in hill climbs for his many excellent but dreaded down draft carburetors.
I also have a round tank as a 1913 through 1920 would use and it too requires a filler cap mechanism. I have already sold the good used ones. I kept the two brand new ones because they are made of heavy material and well made with the proper strengthening ridges and good baffling. All that is missing are the filler caps and mounting straps. There is a good chance that he had the capless tanks made by a Long Beach Model T Club sheet metal shop owner man Lyle Ashbourne. I remember Lyle making all four fenders and the hood complete with louvers for my brother in law's 1910 Cadillac Demi Tonnaue Touring car and charging him $125 back in 1951.
Humble Howard Genrich and I purchased La Rue's Racing parts spare parts collection from his cousin. Howard knew La Rue for many years and they were friends both on and off of the race tracks. The family didn't know Howard and were not keen on selling him the parts or the car collection. Howard took me along one time and since I had grown up with the Thomas sons and cousins and had gone to school with them in San Pedro I knew all of the buzz words and we closed the deal on the parts but we only got one car. We can't carry all of the stuff to swap meets and so still have about half of the collection left over. The main things we have are two Joe Gemsa Engines custom built for La Rue Thomas and the Hall Scott Ruckstell with correct shifter and operating rod and outboard small drum self energizing brakes. Two sets of demountable wire wheels, hubs, and hub caps. Two 1919 – 1925 Roadster or Touring car rear fenders, and two front axles complete with new king pin sets and 26-27 spindles for Speedster with spring sets. All of the other items are small enough to carry in the trunks of our cars.
Frank I met LaRue when he came two the Fulton Mo T tour in 1976, email me on what kind of demontable wheels, hubs and caps you have please danuser88@ktis.net
John I sent you information on the 16 inch by four English and Buffalo 20 inch wheels I have for sale in my collection. Watch your e-mail
9-3 Frank still no email danuser88@ktis.net
Frank, I have searched and searched but cannot find one other than on a usable tank. I'll find one when not lookin' for it. KB