Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Bingham » Mon Sep 16, 2019 2:08 pm

My official Model T auxiliary gas can lost its filler cap on the way to the Co-op last trip. Obviously I failed to cinch it down tight before we left home. Roads are pretty rough, it rattled loose. The neck measures 2" OD, stands 1/2" proud, three coarse threads showing. Any ideas where I can find a replacement ? Metal cans of any kind are a rarity nowadays, so far any I've found don't quite fit. Most are too small diameter. Any help would be much appreciated !!
Attachments
image.jpg
"Get a horse !"

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2385
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
MTFCA Number: 30944
MTFCI Number: 23667
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by CudaMan » Mon Sep 16, 2019 2:55 pm

If you are going to Hershey, keep an eye out in folks' random parts bins. You can also check with anyone selling old gas cans at Hershey, sometimes they have a box of random extra lids.
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:40 pm

Rich,

I have some. Do you want the style with hex or the style to hold the filler spout?

All the Best,

Hank


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 3637
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:27 pm

Had me worried for a minute! On the other hand, I fully understand the seriousness of such a loss. One's best old gasoline can is a special thing. May favorite can is one that belonged to my grandfather for decades before I was born, and I remember from my youngest days of walking in his shop. It looks almost exactly like your can, and is a Boyco.
I have found in the past that these metal caps varied a lot in exact size, fit, and thread. Out of curiosity, I tried several odd caps on my can many years ago. What I found was that although several were close, no paint can, kerosene can or other metal caps would quite work on either the large or small cap opening. I did find some plastic jug caps that fit the large opening. I have a box of spare caps of many sizes and will double check to see if any fit my can.

I would imagine that since my can is marked "Boyco", that other Boyco can caps should probably also fit. Check your can for a Boyco stamping. It could help in finding a replacement.


kevinf
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2019 9:17 pm
First Name: Kevin
Last Name: Fielding
Location: Ewe-taw

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by kevinf » Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:03 pm

Rich,
Better strike while the iron is hot,
Best
Kevin


https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-METAL- ... Swe25c7Imj


SurfCityGene
Posts: 600
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2019 3:00 pm
First Name: Gene
Last Name: Carrothers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 Torpedo Roadster
Location: Huntington Beach, Ca
MTFCA Number: 22905
MTFCI Number: 23068
Board Member Since: 1999

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by SurfCityGene » Tue Sep 17, 2019 1:19 am

Sort of like Sheldon, I clicked on this worried about some TRagIETY you had that maybe I could offer some help.

Sorry I don't have a extra gas cap for you but maybe could offer some plastic wrap and a couple of rubber bands if you need them till you find one?
1912 Torpedo Roadster


Topic author
Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Bingham » Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:14 am

:oops: I realized too late I headed this post a little too dramatically, especially when there are posts of real importance with bad news for our community here. I apologize. :oops:

Thank you all for the helpful posts, Hank, I sent you a PM. Gene, thank you for a good solution, I'll be in touch if I run out of rubber bands. Kevin, thanks for the link, that one could work.

Wayne, I realized I should have noted this is a little 2-gallon can. No maker's mark. It wore a paper label for many years, I think it said Eagle Brand. My Dad bought it about 1954 when he replaced our push mower with a used reel-type powered by a Briggs & Stratton motor. For comparison, here's a 5-gallon can I picked up that was abandoned at a remote boat dock about 35 years ago. Originally it held a Sinclair Oil product. Neither cap fits the little can. The big hex-top is too big, and the one with the spout is too small.
Attachments
image.jpg
"Get a horse !"


Original Smith
Posts: 3284
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:43 am
First Name: Larry
Last Name: Smith
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 13 Touring, 13 Roadster, 17 Coupelet, 25 Roadster P/U
Location: Lomita, California
MTFCA Number: 121
MTFCA Life Member: YES
MTFCI Number: 16310

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Original Smith » Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:53 am

You may have to buy a whole gas can to get the cap. I often see those gas cans in antique shops.


Don D
Posts: 284
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:36 pm
First Name: Don
Last Name: Demio
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 T
Location: Tennessee
MTFCA Number: 27167
MTFCI Number: 20405

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Don D » Tue Sep 17, 2019 10:59 am

Rich,

You didn't mention the distance traveled to the Co-op and whether you discovered the loss at the Co-op or after the entire trip, if the can was on the driver side or passenger side of your car.

You may want to consider fabricating a device to hang off your running board involving magnetic sweepers (used to clean shop floors) and slowly driving the course to sweep the road shoulder in an attempt to find the original cap. Harbor Freight sells a 17" for $10.99 and a 30" for 39.99. After you would have the sweeper for your shop.

It would be some work but finding the cap would be a great story to tell in the future.

Best of luck,
Dom

User avatar

Kaiser
Posts: 1028
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:32 am
First Name: Leo
Last Name: van Stirum
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver
Location: Netherlands
Board Member Since: 2016

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Kaiser » Wed Sep 18, 2019 6:01 am

Dom;
Attachments
image.jpeg
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer ! 8-)
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
'23 Huckster, '66 CJ5 daily driver

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 6463
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
MTFCA Number: 16175
MTFCI Number: 14758
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Steve Jelf » Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:10 am

Five gallon cans like the one in Rich's last picture are very common in these parts and often sell cheap at estate sales and auctions, especially if the can is rusted out and you just want the lids. The two gallon cans are much less common, but I do see them too. I like the Hershey idea. I would have the can in my car, and if I found somebody with a bunch of lids I'd bring in the can and see if any fit. Gas can lids are like Model T Fords. They're all different.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Topic author
Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Bingham » Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:56 am

Yup. Steve's right about the variety. Trying limited options I'm amazed at the variation in metal caps for metal cans, all of which seem to have gone the route of the passenger pigeon. I'd love to go to Hershey, but then, I'd also like to go to Paris some day. Both are practicably inaccessible from my mountain fastness given my means and obligations.

I discovered the cap was missing when I pulled up at the pump at the Co-op. I thought about back-tracking at the time, but given the amount of cover over seven miles, gave up. The cap didn't oblige by lying visible in the road way when I returned.

Hank, you're my best hope ! Please check your PM ! Thanks ! And thanks to all of you !
(The magnet idea is a good one !) :D
"Get a horse !"

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:19 pm

Still looking with some options, not all lost yet!

Hank

User avatar

Ruxstel24
Posts: 2345
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:25 am
First Name: Dave
Last Name: Hanlon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Touring car
Location: NE Ohio
MTFCA Number: 50191
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Ruxstel24 » Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:27 pm

Not sure if it's still around, but the old man had one that was for a 2 stroke mix and the big cap had a cup on the inside to measure the oil to mix. 2.5 gallons I think it was...
And a flexible spout on the small hole.


Topic author
Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Bingham » Wed Sep 18, 2019 1:00 pm

Thanks Hank !! :D
"Get a horse !"


gary80005
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2019 4:26 pm
First Name: Gary
Last Name: Giarratano
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 Roadster, 26 Touring in progress
Location: Arvada, CO
MTFCA Number: 14947
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by gary80005 » Thu Sep 19, 2019 2:20 am

Last time I bought PVC primer and glue it came in a metal can. I took the brush off and it fit on my running board utility cans for gas, oil and water. Give it a try!


Burger in Spokane
Posts: 2251
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 2:05 am
First Name: Brent
Last Name: Burger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT closed cab flatbed
Location: Spokane, Wa.
Board Member Since: 2014

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Burger in Spokane » Thu Sep 19, 2019 2:43 am

Rich, so sorry to hear of your loss. I would be bummed too.

I keep all my larger bulk fluids in cans like this, and am always on the hunt for
good condition examples with complete lids and handle. As mentioned above,
antique stores often have both good and ratty examples. I have tossed a little
coin at a shop owner many times to buy just the cap off a ratty can that will
only be used for decoration by the person ultimately buying the can. That same
buyer won't care if a cap is present or not, so the seller gets a few extra bucks
for the cap as a separate sale. Works out nice for both parties.
More people are doing it today than ever before !

User avatar

Gus in Idaho
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:21 pm
First Name: A. Gustaf
Last Name: Bryngelson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Ambulance
Location: Idaho, USA
Board Member Since: 2012

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Gus in Idaho » Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:24 pm

Hey Rich, I have the very same can but I backed over it with the lawn mower, the cap is good (a bit rusty) and should fit, send me your address to magnus(a)safelink.net and I will mail it to you if you have not already found one.
Gus

User avatar

Henry K. Lee
Posts: 5339
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
First Name: Henry
Last Name: Lee
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
Location: South Pittsburg, TN
MTFCA Number: 479
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Henry K. Lee » Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:49 pm

Rich after another major search no luck!

Gus, good of you!

Hank


Topic author
Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Bingham » Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:28 pm

Thanks to all who responded, especially to Hank for making the effort to go through his "stuff" and to Gus - (email sent)

I really think a feller could solve most any problem with the help of this Model T community ! :D
"Get a horse !"

User avatar

Gus in Idaho
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 3:21 pm
First Name: A. Gustaf
Last Name: Bryngelson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Ambulance
Location: Idaho, USA
Board Member Since: 2012

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Gus in Idaho » Sun Sep 22, 2019 10:16 pm

The interwebs are truly a great thing.

User avatar

Rich Eagle
Posts: 6793
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
First Name: Richard
Last Name: Eagle
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1909 TR 1914 TR 1915 Rd 1920 Spdstr 1922 Coupe 1925 Tudor
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
MTFCA Number: 1219
Contact:

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Eagle » Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:29 am

If all else fails a tapered wooden plug and a wire bail would certainly work and look period correct. Perhaps even more charming that a proper cap.
Rich
When did I do that?


Topic author
Rich Bingham
Posts: 1922
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:23 am
First Name: Rich
Last Name: Bingham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1913 runabout
Location: Blackfoot, Idaho

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by Rich Bingham » Mon Sep 23, 2019 1:39 pm

Great idea !! Thanks Rich !!
"Get a horse !"


tdump
Posts: 1275
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:00 pm
First Name: Mack
Last Name: Cole
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: TT. T express pickup,speedster project.
Location: North Carolina
MTFCA Number: 28146

Re: Tragedy struck. Help, please ?

Post by tdump » Mon Sep 23, 2019 10:23 pm

I know the feeling.I lost the small lid to the 1 gallon metal can i used for 2 cycle gas.I have no words that I can type here to accurately discribe just how much I hate those new plastic cans for something small like a chain saw or trimmer.
If you can't help em, don't hinder em'

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic