'69 Gas Cap Gasket

[Floyd B.]

I was surprised I could not find this in the archives because I distinctly remember this being discussed, anyhow...

Did '69 gas caps use the rubber gasket for the entire production year or did they use the paper gasket for the first few months before changing to the rubber/neoprene gasket?

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

I was surprised I could not find this in the archives because I distinctly remember this being discussed, anyhow...

Did '69 gas caps use the rubber gasket for the entire production year or did they use the paper gasket for the first few months before changing to the rubber/neoprene gasket?

Thanx,

-Floyd-

Floyd------


As far as I know, the gasket was rubber for the entire model year. In any event, I have checked the gasket on a known-original 1969 built in late October, 1968 and it was rubber.

[David L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

There were 4 different gas caps used on 1963-1969 Corvettes as follows:
3820865 (early 1963)
3843576 (late 1963-1967)
3921689 (1968)
3952708 (1969)
The 1963-1967 caps had the paper gasket and the 1969 cap had a rubber gasket. What about the 1968 cap?
About 1981 I bought a new 3952708 gas cap (w/rubber gasket) at my local Chevrolet dealer. The 3952708 cap appears to be identical to my original 1966 cap, GM # 3843576, EXCEPT that my 1966 cap has a paper gasket as well as a "SMC" logo stamped on the bottom side. I remember that later in the 1980's Corvette vendors at swap meets were selling NOS 3952708 caps with a yellow cadmium finish.

Dave

[Jim T.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

David our original owner 1968 still has the original gas cap and it does not have a paper gasket, it still has the rubber/neoprene gasket. Reading about this post reminded me of what I discovered last month inside the 68's original gas tank still on the car. Looking into the gas tank with a flash light to view the filter on the the gas supply line I saw a round gasket that appears to be rubber as viewed through several gallons of gasoline. I had purchased a GM locking gas cap in 1974 and used it for many years until installing the original gas cap since the 68 was no longer left unattended and garaged. Need to search/find my locking gas cap and check for its gasket. If the gasket is still on my locking gas cap which I believe I would of noticed if it is not, how did this gasket get in the 68's tank?

[Gary H.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

I lost points during regional flight judging for not having the paper gasket in what I know is my original 69 gas cap.

I have been looking everywhere for a paper gasket with no luck for anything later than 67.

Gary

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

Gary,

I think you got hosed because the current Third Edition TIM&JG is wrong. I am positive that most (and as Joe has indicated, perhaps all) '69's had the rubber gasket. I think this is being corrected in the new 68-69 TIM&JG (due out later this year) - perhaps someone on the 68-69 team (Terry?) will chime in and verify this.

I would love to see a picture of an original early '69 gas cap because I have seen two different types of rubber gaskets. The most common has a "squishy" round seal glued into a recess so that the gasket is integral to the gas cap assembly. The less common type has a hard, flat gasket very similar in configuration as the paper gasket version.

Thanx,

-Floyd-

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

David our original owner 1968 still has the original gas cap and it does not have a paper gasket, it still has the rubber/neoprene gasket. Reading about this post reminded me of what I discovered last month inside the 68's original gas tank still on the car. Looking into the gas tank with a flash light to view the filter on the the gas supply line I saw a round gasket that appears to be rubber as viewed through several gallons of gasoline. I had purchased a GM locking gas cap in 1974 and used it for many years until installing the original gas cap since the 68 was no longer left unattended and garaged. Need to search/find my locking gas cap and check for its gasket. If the gasket is still on my locking gas cap which I believe I would of noticed if it is not, how did this gasket get in the 68's tank?

Jim-----


Early 1968 used the same cap as L63-67 with a paper gasket. I do not know what the 3921689 used for a gasket but, based upon your report, I guess it was rubber. In that case, I can't figure out what the difference was between the 3921689 and the 3952708.

[David L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

Pictured below are 2 photos on the left of my original 1966 gas cap w/paper gasket and "SMC" logo on the bottom (cleaned up a bit) and 2 photos on the right of the NOS 3952708 gas cap (now almost 24 years old) that I purchased on 11/06/1986 at Dobles Chevrolet for $5.25 (list was $7.00). The 3952708 cap has a rubber gasket (about 1/4" in width) that is glued to the cap.

Dave

[John C.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

The cap on my 1968 of which I don't have much doubt is original to the car has a rubber gasket. Car was assembled in April.

From what I have observed it also appears that on later production caps the tooling for the word "vented" becomes noticeably worn. It is especially noticeable on the letters V, N, and T. I don't know when it started but David's NOS 3952708 cap from 1986 shows it.

Below are attached pictures of the word vented on of my original 68 plus two more recent reproduction caps to illustrate.

vented-1.jpgvented-2.jpgvented-3.jpg

[Floyd B.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

In the fourth picture - is that the SMC logo on the upper right?

Thanx

[David L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

In the fourth picture - is that the SMC logo on the upper right?

Thanx

Floyd,

I assume you are asking about the 4th photo (3952708 cap, 1986 vintage) in my post. The answers is no, it's just corrosion after almost 24 years.

Dave

[Stuart F.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

Besides the gasket variations, I see no mention about the change from a single vent hole (like my late 63) to the two way valve venting (Pressure/Vacuum) design and when it began. This latter design is still available for service. I bought one a few years back as I thought it might work better to control the Ethanol laced fuel vapors, and perhaps it helped some (not sure). Also, the locking cap that I bought and used for many years has the simple one hole vent like my 63 cap. This cap, as we know, only serves to disuade the amature thiefs and vandals as it is easily compromised.

[Joe L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

Besides the gasket variations, I see no mention about the change from a single vent hole (like my late 63) to the two way valve venting (Pressure/Vacuum) design and when it began. This latter design is still available for service. I bought one a few years back as I thought it might work better to control the Ethanol laced fuel vapors, and perhaps it helped some (not sure). Also, the locking cap that I bought and used for many years has the simple one hole vent like my 63 cap. This cap, as we know, only serves to disuade the amature thiefs and vandals as it is easily compromised.

Stuart------


I believe the change took place sometime very late in the 1963 model year.

[David L.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

Stuart,

The "early" 63 cap (GM # 3820865) simply has a very small hole on the bottom side in the center. The "late" 63-67 cap (GM #3843576) has a valve inside the cap to release pressure and vacuum.

Dave

[Jim M.]

Re: '69 Gas Cap Gasket

My January 9, 1969 has what looks like a brownish paper gasket. I can't guarantee that it's original but I have no reason to believe that it's not.