"Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

[Jon S.]

I just got my confirmation for flight judging in San Antonio. Since the cars will be diplayed indoors, one of the sheets included with the confirmation lists display requirents, . One of those requirements is that a fuel tank with a vented cap be "sealed".

What exactly is required for it to be "sealed"? Do I need to get a non-vented cap? If so, will that affect judging points?

Or is it something more than that? I've done indoor shows in the past where the cap had to be taped in place or a locking cap required, but that doesn't seem right in this case since the rule only applies to 'vented' caps.

Thanks,
Jon
#10673

[Mike M.]

Re: "Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

buy a non-vented NAPA-type cap and put it in place. when the judges come by, show them the vented critter. mike

[Dick W.]

Re: "Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

Jon, I interpet the sealed fuel tank as a piece of tape to show that the cap has not been disturbed or removed. You can check with Gary Chestnut by going to the profiles list on the top of this board and emailing from his.

[Jack H.]

Re: "Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

This is probably a local fire marshall's requirement and different cities and places interpret the requirement differently. At the Chevy Vettefest in Chicago, the meet is held indoors in the McCormick Center. There, the requirement is the gas tank not be more than 1/8 full (they 'eyeball' the level before the car is allowed in) and they want a piece of masking tape affixed across the gas cap as a visible warning NOT to remove the cap.

But, my hunch is you heard about the restriction from Roy Sinor and I'd not be shy about asking for a clarification (Do you really mean replace a factory correct/original vented gas cap with an incorrect non-vented cap? Will judges then waive the Flight Score Sheet's requirement to judge the gas cap?)...

Sounds to me like a touch more elaboration was in order from Roy here. Heck, maybe he'll chime in and enlighten us!

[Jon S.]

Re: "Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

Thanks all. At Dick's suggestion I emailed Gary Chesnut. Gary responded "You can get a non vented cap if you would like to or the cap can be removed and taped off with duct tape."

I guess I'll head to NAPA and try and find a cheap non-vented cap. I'm going to assume that, if it is fire-marshal requirement, then in this case showing the correct cap to the judges must be acceptable.

Thanks,
Jon

[Gary C.]

Re: "Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

It's a standard U.S. Firemarshal code that all cities have. Some enforce and some don't. In this case San Antonio enforces. Have met with the Fire Marshal 3 times to work out the bugs and have it go smoothly with his staff. The recent Cincinnati Regional had to comply with the same Fire Marshal code 2003 IFC, Section 408.2.5.

That being said. A non-vented cap could be put on and have the original cap available to show the Judges. San Antonio Fire Regulations, Section 23, Vehicle, paragraph B. "Fuel tank gas cap must be locked or sealed to prevent mishandling or escape of vapors".

Thank y'al for coming to the San Antonio Convention - it will be a good one!

Regards,

Gary
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[Terry R.]

Re: "Sealed" fuel tank for San Antonio?

Gary; What if you have a vent hose? Terry Robertson

[Mark #28455]

DUH! our government out to save us again!

In 1969, the gas tanks went from a sealed tank assembly to a VENTED tank. That's why my 1970 can function with a sealed cap. So, if you think sealing the cap will block gasoline vapors from escaping, you're just kidding yourself in a late 1969 or 1970 at least as the vapors just escape through the tank vent valve . But what the heck, as long as the government is happy!

Mark