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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 09:16 PM
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Default gas tank question?

How does air enter the gas tank, or does it not enter? Is there a one way valve somewhere that allows air to enter the gas tank? or is this in the gas cap?

thanks
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 69bluevettewildboar
How does air enter the gas tank, or does it not enter? Is there a one way valve somewhere that allows air to enter the gas tank? or is this in the gas cap?

thanks
Air has to get into the tank to replace the volume of gas leaving the tank
Depending on the year, the cap is vented (I think it was vented caps prior to about 72.. 73.. 74 (California and all that), after that the caps were non-vented and the venting came from the evap-emission system)
Hope it helps
Mooser
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Mooser
Air has to get into the tank to replace the volume of gas leaving the tank
Depending on the year, the cap is vented (I think it was vented caps prior to about 72.. 73.. 74 (California and all that), after that the caps were non-vented and the venting came from the evap-emission system)
Hope it helps
Mooser
That does help, thank you,

But if I order a new cap for my 69 will I have to make sure that it is a vented cap? or will all gas caps be vented? \\

Also how can I test or be sure that the venting is actually working? Is there a test or some way to know if this is working properly?
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Old Nov 18, 2011 | 10:48 PM
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Looking at my Corvette America catalog all the listed gas caps specify whether vented or non-vented...I suspect it's that way for all the vendors out there. Just make sure you order the cap for your year Corvette because the switch from vented to non-vented occurred in 1970.
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 12:18 AM
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All 69 cars used a vented cap. http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...ords=gas%20cap
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 69bluevettewildboar
That does help, thank you,

But if I order a new cap for my 69 will I have to make sure that it is a vented cap? or will all gas caps be vented? \\
I believe Wilcox is correct, all 69's should have vented caps regardless of where they were sold.
The evap-canister under the driver's front fender is the tell-tail for non-vented caps (venting is through the charcoal can instead of the cap)

Also how can I test or be sure that the venting is actually working? Is there a test or some way to know if this is working properly?

Its basically just an air hole in the cap (well there is gaskets and a passage way that the air needs to snake around so gas doesn't just splash out but you get the idea) so there is really not much to go wrong unless it gets full of gunk, which shouldn't happen

Without blowing air into the tank through one of the fuel lines to see if it leaks out the only sign I can think of is if you open the cap on a hot day or right after a drive and hear a big whoosh of air getting sucked in....it's not working
(of course having the car quit while driving because it can't suck any gas from the tank is also a sign but.....)
Mooser
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 09:00 AM
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Hi,
I beleve that in 1971 when the gas cap was changed to a sealed type the tanks were built with a button valve for relief. It's about the size of a quarter and located on the top of the tank just to the left of the filler neck.
You can just see it in this picture. It looks like a little disc pressed into the surface of the tank.
Regards,
Alan

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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 09:52 AM
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The caps went sealed in 1970 and the separator valve that mounted on that bracket was actually about 3" x 2.5". Just as it was named it separated the fuel from the fumes and vented back in the tank or the canister under the inner fender.



I took some good shots of this on the 71 we just did

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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 08:44 PM
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great info guys, I learned alot from this.

Is there a reason that it switched from a vented gas cap to a sealed one?
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by 69bluevettewildboar
great info guys, I learned alot from this.

Is there a reason that it switched from a vented gas cap to a sealed one?
Can't say for sure but lets go with venting gasoline vapors directly into the atmosphere may have fallen out of favor.

Mooser
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 09:58 PM
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not trying to hijack...but similar topic.

Is the vented cap on a 69 not working properly if you open it and it lets out a ton of pressure?
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by exposingtime
not trying to hijack...but similar topic.

Is the vented cap on a 69 not working properly if you open it and it lets out a ton of pressure?
is it letting out pressure or is it sucking air in? I would assume that if there is any air sucking in or out that the cap is not working correctly. If it was venting there should be no pressure build up right?
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Old Nov 19, 2011 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 69bluevettewildboar
is it letting out pressure or is it sucking air in? I would assume that if there is any air sucking in or out that the cap is not working correctly. If it was venting there should be no pressure build up right?
I'm sure the newer vented caps are designed to only let the air in (preventing the venting of gas vapor out) and will actually hold a few pounds of pressure in the tank.
I'm pretty sure the old ones (pre 70 according to the info above) they let the air/fuel move both ways.

Now, if you buy a newly made, old cap will it vent totally or hold a few pounds? That I don't know, maybe someone like Wilcox could verify.
Drilling a small hole in the cap to let it vent totally would take care of it though.

Mooser
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 10:31 AM
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It holds 8-10 pounds of pressure. Sort of hard to spin the cap off sometimes.

Is there anything wrong with the pressurize tank or should I just ignore it?

I am using a new vented 69 cap. Locking style chrome gas cap was still on the car when I purchased it...probably from the 60's or early 70's. Car was parked in 86.

Gary
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 11:06 AM
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If the tank can't replace the volume of fuel with air, the fuel pump will collapse the tank. On sealed cap cars the tank is vented, on vented cap cars the thank is not vented.
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by exposingtime
It holds 8-10 pounds of pressure. Sort of hard to spin the cap off sometimes.

Is there anything wrong with the pressurize tank or should I just ignore it?

I am using a new vented 69 cap. Locking style chrome gas cap was still on the car when I purchased it...probably from the 60's or early 70's. Car was parked in 86.

Gary
So the tank is positive pressure (blows air out when removing the cap)?

Your pump should have had a return line, sound like it's somehow pressurizing the tank.

69 should have had the old style vented cap that let air in and out
I've got one of the locking chrome caps, mine is non-vented (72 so it has the charcoal can)

If the tank is pressurized, the only thing I've ever heard going wrong is that the mechanical fuel pump can leak inside and this could dump fuel into the oil pan.

One hand - if it ain't broke.....
Other hand - drill a small hole in the cap and forget about it.

my 2 cents
Mooser
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 04:51 PM
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Problem solved. I tried to blow air through the hole on the vented cap from the inside and didnt have any luck.

I had an extra vented cap sitting in a box...tried to blow air through it and it vented fine.

Thanks
Gary
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 07:36 PM
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a clogged vent, or lack of vent, can collapse your tank,
and create fuel starvation problems, to the carb.
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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by 69Vett
a clogged vent, or lack of vent, can collapse your tank,
and create fuel starvation problems, to the carb.
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Old Mar 3, 2012 | 02:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
The caps went sealed in 1970 and the separator valve that mounted on that bracket was actually about 3" x 2.5". Just as it was named it separated the fuel from the fumes and vented back in the tank or the canister under the inner fender.



I took some good shots of this on the 71 we just did

Could I just remove the separator, return line, and canister, and just go with the vented cap in my 70. I am putting in a Walbro in-tank pump leading to an LS3 Fuel injection. Thanks.
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