70/71 gas caps.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
70/71 gas caps.
I recently acquired a spare gas cap for my 70 because of their rarity and the price was right. ($5) The cap I got is a 71 because it had the red tag on it. Since my car is a 70 I took the red tag off. It's been mentioned on this forum that the only difference between the 70/71 caps is this metal tag. My question is (a little too late) did I make a mistake by taking the red tag off? How desirable are the 71 caps with the correct tag? Apparently the tag is reproduced but with an incorrect font.
Also, do the caps use a seal or gasket or is it just a metal to metal contact? Neither of my caps seem to have any kind of seal on them and I haven't found a aftermarket replacement.
Also, do the caps use a seal or gasket or is it just a metal to metal contact? Neither of my caps seem to have any kind of seal on them and I haven't found a aftermarket replacement.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Yep. You made a boo-boo. Those '71 caps (original ones) are hard to come by and should probably have been put on e-Bay. Hope the 'stripped' one works for you. I figure you probably destroyed the 'red tag' in the process, too.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
I suppose the chances of that would be slim though.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,373
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi q,
You didn't really say if the red tag is 'gone' or not?
Even off the cap it might be of some interest to a 71 owner.
Regards,
Alan
I think a lot of those caps were lost because those cars were still being driven when daily the first 'gas shortage' came along. Many people bought a locking cap and tossed the original. I remember that when gas went above $1.00 a gallon, people thought we were at the end of the world, .... and the Vega and Pinto were born.
You didn't really say if the red tag is 'gone' or not?
Even off the cap it might be of some interest to a 71 owner.
Regards,
Alan
I think a lot of those caps were lost because those cars were still being driven when daily the first 'gas shortage' came along. Many people bought a locking cap and tossed the original. I remember that when gas went above $1.00 a gallon, people thought we were at the end of the world, .... and the Vega and Pinto were born.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
I used a real mild solvent and the very first wipe took the paint right off. Maybe something was spilled on it before to loosen the paint. I don't know? But what I used definitely shouldn't have done that.
Here it is. If anyone wants it I'll mail it to you for free.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 5
From: Upstate South Carolina
I've been looking for an original cap for my 70. I was watching one on ebay a few months ago and stopped being a serious bidder when it past $150. It sold for $600+. You're probably ok if you turned a 71 into a 70 gas cap.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Rice Lake Wisconsin
71 Cap
I just found in the "zip" 68-82 Corvette Restoration Catalog on page 86 you can buy a reproduction caution tag for the 1971 gas cap.Good news is its only $5.50,part#GT-337.Ordered one for my original 71 cap that was missing.They also have the needed cork fiberboard and/or rubber gasket seal mentioned by some missing for only $3.00/$3.50,also located on same page in catalog. JMS71VETTE
