MTFCA Forum

Hopefully, someone that has an original gas cap for 1924 could post a photo of what it looks like. I see a lot of different choices from the vendors and the Judging guidelines do not clearly specify either.

'24-'27 gas cap. Wings on outer ends, two=piece, baffle across bottom of cap to prevent slosh out the vent holes.

Original type cap for '24-'27
Lang's made repros and still may have them on hand.

Hi Dan, thanks for posting. Do you know if it is made of steel or?

It's made of die cast metal, likely a zinc alloy, the baffle plate is a thin dome shaped steel sheet, soldered in place.

My original is now rattling too, as the plate is a bit loose from its solder.

I don't think the baffle is soldered, just the edge rolled over onto it. I don't see any signs of solder. Sure Henry found it cheaper to roll the edge than add the cost of solder. The one without the baffle is missing most of the edge (2 o'clock position). Agree in material used.
So you might be able to eliminate the rattle with a little tap on the edge or some Permatex Blue/Red

This one was on the gas tank that came with my 1925 parts chassis that was last part of a running car in the 1950's.

I'm assuming it's factory because of the Ford script...unless someone made Ford script repros many years ago.

Don

Your cap is a later reproduction.

The original style is the two piece one. And yes, looking at the old cap seems no solder. Just assumed solder joint, guess that zinc die cast was formed around the thin steel plate when new.

As for the earlier caps, those are zinc die cast, but one piece. Used from 1919-1923

Original is upper right, the shiny one is newer reproduction. That original is pretty used up, solder glob covers a hole placed probably to use this cap to keep pressure on the gas tank for hill climbing.

Lang's sells the late style gas cap. I'm pretty sure they have the baffle too. Originals have the part number cast into one of the wings. Yes, the baffle was just held in by the edge of the cap being rolled over to hold it. Beware when buying and original. Many times the pot metal has swollen, and will not screw into the gas tank. Often, the baffle can be found in the bottom of the gas tank. Fordson's also used this cap.

Just wool-gathering . . . would the bung on a 55gal drum happen to be the same size as the Model T gas tank cap ?

I think the bottom picture that Dan posted is from an oil drum.

And another thing;.... when I tighten the original zinc alloy gas caps after filling or checking gas level, I always back off about 1/8” because when tightened all the way and left tightened - they sometimes stick shut necessitating a wood stick tapped on the ears to loosen. Sometimes I even oil the cap threads for ease of removal... FWIW

Just another bit of useless info. The gas cap on my 27 is a brass rad cap from an early 1950's English Ford (Anglia or Prefect) identical to the original cap except brass with no vent hole. Has Ford script as well. I say useless info because these are probably harder to find now than original T caps. When I got this one in the early 60's Ford dealers here in Canada stocked them and there were lots in the junkyards. I've never experienced a problem with not having a vent hole, just don't screw it down too tight. I thought about drilling a vent hole but would probably leak gas out unless I made up a baffle.

George House wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:53 am

And another thing;.... when I tighten the original zinc alloy gas caps after filling or checking gas level, I always back off about 1/8” because when tightened all the way and left tightened - they sometimes stick shut necessitating a wood stick tapped on the ears to loosen. Sometimes I even oil the cap threads for ease of removal... FWIW

The original gas caps use a paper gasket. Order a paper gas cap gasket from any of the major vendors the next time you place a parts order. The “gasket” doesn’t really prevent leakage so much as it is a design feature which insures the cap does not take a set and is easy to remove! A single gasket will likely last a decade or more. They don’t seem to wear out.

Here’s the cap in my 24 Coupe. I changed out the original tank because of to many seam leaks but this is the cap that was in the car when I inherited it in 1958.
He was the 2nd owner when he bought the car in 1942. I think I will use this cap since it was the one he would have used. Sentimental I guess.

Mine is also from a British Ford. I see many caps on saddle tanks on large trucks that are the same. This cap is non vented because it is a radiator cap with external wings.

Original Smith - Thanks for noting that the gas cap baffle falling into the tank. I have a tank that is in very good condition no rust whatsoever inside but something, small, is sliding around inside. Thanks Frank

Here's a variation on the brass script Prefect cap and a later Fordson cap that will fit.
Bruce

A gas cap for a T?

That's not a fair trade.
The T is worth more than a gas cap.

If you wanted a gas cap for a Ugo it would be a different story