1955 Ford Gas Cap

Hot Rod Reverend

Well-known member
Has anyone had any issues with the fitment of aftermarket gas caps (vented, locking, or otherwise) on a stock 1955 Ford Fairlane gas tank? I received a vented gas cap (Stant 10640) and it will not "latch" when turned clockwise. I also tried a reproduction locking gas cap (8A-18416-SS)and while it fits the neck just fine the "teeth" will not catch the inside diameter of the filler neck to actually lock in position.

Maybe the rubber seal on these units is a tick too thick?
 
There is no ID on this cap whatsoever, but it does rotate to the locked position with some effort. I can feel the resistance against the rubber grommet and see where the contact is made. This car has a reproduction tank and grommet at the neck, so the problem could be in either one or both.
 

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Your picture shows my problem - the gas caps I have received that have part numbers for a 55 Ford do not have the depth your locking ears have. In other words, the gas cap you show in the photo has a deeper recess into the filler neck cavity. Now to hunt for a part number and find one!
 
On the sedans of the period, the gas cap was not vented unless a SW (VENTED). The sedan cap had a longer neck.

That's the problem you are running into if the tank is original or NOS.

New or repro must be copying the vented cap.

53/59 FORD SEDAN- NON-VENTED DEEP CAP - B9A 9030-A

53/59 FORD SW- VENTED B9A 9030-C
 
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On the sedans of the period, the gas cap was not vented unless a SW (VENTED). The sedan cap had a longer neck.

That's the problem you are running into if the tank is original or NOS.

New or repro must be copying the vented cap.

53/59 FORD SEDAN- NON-VENTED DEEP CAP - B9A 9030-A

53/59 FORD SW- VENTED B9A 9030-C

Thanks for clearing that up. I had assumed that vented or non-vented cap did not make a difference as far as fitment is concerned. I knew the tank was already vented and as I recall the cap I had was not vented.

Live and learn as they say
 
A couple years back, I left my factory original gas cap laying on the trunk lid at the gas station while I was filling up. The pump did not spit out a receipt so I had to go inside to get one and forgot I left the cap on the trunk lid. I drove off and lost the cap on the road.
I bought a reproduction one which turned out to be an exact duplicate of the original cap (comparing the new one to an old one I had in a box in the garage. Of course, it worked fine. I am pretty sure the cap came from Concours Parts but I can't guarantee they haven't changed suppliers by now.
BTW, both '55 and 56 full size cars and wagons had external gas vent tubes from the tank, so you don't need a vented cap.
 
I think they lock in at different heights, but not 100% sure. The '59 cap I have (non vented) is a Robertshaw RG31. Concours has the right ones but they're like $22. Mine I believe was $15 on eBay.
 
Rev! I had the exact same problem. The new gas tank I installed, old cap would not work. So I took the old cap and bent ‘up’ the tabs/ears till it worked.
 

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