i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

97guns · 07-24-2007, 05:17 PM

how should i get it off. it really didn't fit right in the sense that it didnt screw on, it just pressed on untill the "ears" of the locking mechanism engaged the lip of the fill tube. tia

BigSky71 · 07-24-2007, 05:20 PM

Is it in the stock location and made of plastic? I'd say cut the head of it off with a sawsall, but if its a metal cap that may be a bad idea!

97guns · 07-24-2007, 05:29 PM

stock location and metal. i may be able to pry it off but dont want to damage the fill tube.

67CHIP72 · 07-24-2007, 05:31 PM

locksmith.

bad6772 · 07-24-2007, 05:42 PM

i dont this about 2 years ago. i took an 1/8 inch drill and drilled out the key ways. then i took a 1/4 inch bit and re-drilled my 1/8 inch holes. then i took a straight head screw driver in the key ways and ,after some prying and manovering<spell? it came off. mine was a standard napa locking cap. and was double walled. if yours is not i wouldnt recommend drilling it out. im thinking pretty much all of them are double walled, beacause if i remember right, the lock cylinder doesnt just hang in the fill tube.... hope this may help. also you might want to try a large pair og channel locks and twist it off. i wouldnt think that it would damge the fill tube ,they are pretty stout, but what do i know..........tony

1LoC10 · 07-24-2007, 06:01 PM

call the manufactur of the cap, or buy another one and hope the keys are generic

Rdub · 07-24-2007, 06:39 PM

I also did this a couple years ago..... take a big screw driver, insert where key goes, drive screwdriver in with a hammer until it's tight, turn lock, remove cap. Worked great for me.... good luck.

1969k10stepside · 07-24-2007, 10:01 PM

When I bought the 71,it had a locking gas cap and no keys..I just drilled it out and off it came...

**Stocker** · 07-24-2007, 10:44 PM

I wonder how many different key patterns exist for those cap? Might be worth a trip to your friendly local parts store -- see if they'll let you try several keys. Might get lucky, especially if your lock is old and a bit worn.

Or just take it to a locksmith, or drill it out...

dh81k30 · 07-24-2007, 11:13 PM

97guns,

I used to have one on the '81. My father ( retired ) borrowed the truck one day and needed to put gas in it. He did not remember that it had a locking cap even with the key on the ring ( and with his poor eyesight did not let him see the key slot - pre cataract surgery ). When he returned the truck, he did ask me why the cap was so hard to get off. He did say that he just got a good grip with both hands and twisted the cap right off - no tools involved

. He managed to bend or break the locking lugs in the cap.

I vote for just trying to twist the cap off and see what happens.

Ackattack · 07-25-2007, 12:45 AM

This last winter mine was frozen on, and I was pretty much out of gas, so I HAD to get it off. I think I just took a screwdriver to it and pretty much pried it off. It was a big PIA and took about 15 minutes.

BigSky71 · 07-25-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dh81k30

When he returned the truck, he did ask me why the cap was so hard to get off. He did say that he just got a good grip with both hands and twisted the cap right off - no tools involved

.

That's hiliarious! "Damn boy you need to work on that gas cap." Strong retired guy your dad!

ChevLoRay · 07-25-2007, 11:40 AM

For what it's worth, the key to my locking gas cap (from NAPA) also works the ignition on my Cub Cadet. I put in an ignition switch from......NAPA.

72BlckButy · 07-26-2007, 08:26 AM

I had a lockable plastic gas cap on my F*** Explorer in High School, and you could squeeze, at both ends of the handle, towards the center of the cap and turn and it would be able to be removed.

rambler · 07-26-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSky71

That's hiliarious! "Damn boy you need to work on that gas cap." Strong retired guy your dad!

sounds like my dad,, he's now legally blind (can see a little, but can no longer drive) but still strong as a ox!

LonghornJeff · 07-26-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdub

I also did this a couple years ago..... take a big screw driver, insert where key goes, drive screwdriver in with a hammer until it's tight, turn lock, remove cap. Worked great for me.... good luck.

^^^ +1.....I had to do the same thing worked great.

ChillFactor · 07-26-2007, 06:45 PM

Assuming the tank is in the factory location...

You could undo the hose clamp from the plastic filler tube extention that the cap locks on to and pull the cap and tube out of the truck then take a long blade screwdriver and just pulsh the locking tabs in.

Worked amazingly well on my '70.

Tim

dh81k30 · 07-26-2007, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSky71

That's hilarious! "Damn boy you need to work on that gas cap." Strong retired guy your dad!

That's my dad! Stubborn too. That little cap is supposed to come off so it is going to come off one way or another.

st1x10 · 07-26-2007, 07:28 PM

Just get some channel lock and clamp down and twist. Worked on my s10 and several other vehicles at the shop. I wish people would start leaving the gas keys when they come in for gas related things.

71tahoe · 07-26-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97guns

stock location and metal. i may be able to pry it off but dont want to damage the fill tube.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChillFactor

Assuming the tank is in the factory location...

You could undo the hose clamp from the plastic filler tube extention that the cap locks on to and pull the cap and tube out of the truck then take a long blade screwdriver and just pulsh the locking tabs in.

Worked amazingly well on my '70.

Tim

I'm assuming stock location is tank-in-cab. Any tank I've seen had no plastic anything. The filler neck is soldered to the tank so I would have to go with the screwdriver or drill part way through then escalate to the "bigger hammer" if that didn't work. I usually lose the gas cap and wind up with an extra key.

chip46wis · 07-26-2007, 08:56 PM

I was in the used car business for several years and ran accross this many times--------jam a blade type screwdriver in the lock and it will turn right off----did this many dozens of times.

Orange · 07-27-2007, 04:06 PM

IIOY?

DLB

97guns · 07-27-2007, 06:00 PM

thanks everyone - the big screwdriver did the trick

BarryB · 07-27-2007, 06:06 PM

I bought a master lock kit off the MAC Tool truck. it has a couple of picks for locking gas caps. They work to. took about 2 seconds and it poped right off. ANd guess what it didn't destroy the cap either so when you did find the key.Also unlocked several cars with it. saved me the money of calling a lock smith.

retodd7711 · 07-27-2007, 09:49 PM

I would not recommend getting out the torches.

07-24-2007, 05:17 PM	#1
97guns Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: san jose Posts: 54	i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... how should i get it off. it really didn't fit right in the sense that it didnt screw on, it just pressed on untill the "ears" of the locking mechanism engaged the lip of the fill tube. tia __________________ '71 LWB 350/350 banana yellow '02 VW GTI turbo 14 sec. 1/4 mile

07-24-2007, 05:20 PM	#2
BigSky71 LAIDOUT Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: NW Montana Posts: 928	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... Is it in the stock location and made of plastic? I'd say cut the head of it off with a sawsall, but if its a metal cap that may be a bad idea! __________________ 67 2wd Shorty Build Pictures

07-24-2007, 05:29 PM	#3
97guns Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: san jose Posts: 54	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... stock location and metal. i may be able to pry it off but dont want to damage the fill tube. __________________ '71 LWB 350/350 banana yellow '02 VW GTI turbo 14 sec. 1/4 mile

07-24-2007, 05:31 PM	#4
67CHIP72 STOLEN Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 1,022	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... locksmith. __________________ In Search Of

07-24-2007, 05:42 PM	#5
bad6772 Official Site Guitar Shredder Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oz Posts: 3,955	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... i dont this about 2 years ago. i took an 1/8 inch drill and drilled out the key ways. then i took a 1/4 inch bit and re-drilled my 1/8 inch holes. then i took a straight head screw driver in the key ways and ,after some prying and manovering<spell? it came off. mine was a standard napa locking cap. and was double walled. if yours is not i wouldnt recommend drilling it out. im thinking pretty much all of them are double walled, beacause if i remember right, the lock cylinder doesnt just hang in the fill tube.... hope this may help. also you might want to try a large pair og channel locks and twist it off. i wouldnt think that it would damge the fill tube ,they are pretty stout, but what do i know..........tony

07-24-2007, 06:01 PM	#6
1LoC10 Insert Title Here Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 5,679	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... call the manufactur of the cap, or buy another one and hope the keys are generic __________________ BOBBY _69 SWB_ 1000 pics of 67-72's>> http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-72/?start=all <<

07-24-2007, 06:39 PM	#7
Rdub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland OR Posts: 74	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... I also did this a couple years ago..... take a big screw driver, insert where key goes, drive screwdriver in with a hammer until it's tight, turn lock, remove cap. Worked great for me.... good luck. __________________ 71 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4, 350, 350th 67 chev short step, 396, 350th 41 chev flatbed, custom bed, frame & suspension, 350, 350th

07-24-2007, 10:01 PM	#8
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... When I bought the 71,it had a locking gas cap and no keys..I just drilled it out and off it came...

07-24-2007, 10:44 PM	#9
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,594	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... I wonder how many different key patterns exist for those cap? Might be worth a trip to your friendly local parts store -- see if they'll let you try several keys. Might get lucky, especially if your lock is old and a bit worn. Or just take it to a locksmith, or drill it out... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

07-24-2007, 11:13 PM	#10
dh81k30 Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: W-S, NC Posts: 211	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... 97guns, I used to have one on the '81. My father ( retired ) borrowed the truck one day and needed to put gas in it. He did not remember that it had a locking cap even with the key on the ring ( and with his poor eyesight did not let him see the key slot - pre cataract surgery ). When he returned the truck, he did ask me why the cap was so hard to get off. He did say that he just got a good grip with both hands and twisted the cap right off - no tools involved . He managed to bend or break the locking lugs in the cap. I vote for just trying to twist the cap off and see what happens. __________________ Have fun, Don

07-25-2007, 12:45 AM	#11
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... This last winter mine was frozen on, and I was pretty much out of gas, so I HAD to get it off. I think I just took a screwdriver to it and pretty much pried it off. It was a big PIA and took about 15 minutes. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

07-25-2007, 11:40 AM	#13
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... For what it's worth, the key to my locking gas cap (from NAPA) also works the ignition on my Cub Cadet. I put in an ignition switch from......NAPA. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

07-26-2007, 08:26 AM	#14
72BlckButy Tot Roddin' Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 24,461	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... I had a lockable plastic gas cap on my F* Explorer in High School, and you could squeeze, at both ends of the handle, towards the center of the cap and turn and it would be able to be removed. __________________ -Nate 1969 CST SWB - Project Blank Slate** (4.5/6" ECE Static Drop, 6-lug disc brake upgrade (manual), Billet Specialties Vintec 20x8.5 255/40 (F) 20x10 295/40 (R), 250 I-6) 1960 AMF Skylark - Tot Roddin' (Lowered with custom frame; soon to include custom push bar and interior) 2008 Silverado CrewCab 1LT (5.3L, 3:73, 4x4, LT1, Z-71, Towing Package)

07-26-2007, 06:45 PM	#17
ChillFactor Sourdough Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fairbanks, Ak Posts: 32	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... Assuming the tank is in the factory location... You could undo the hose clamp from the plastic filler tube extention that the cap locks on to and pull the cap and tube out of the truck then take a long blade screwdriver and just pulsh the locking tabs in. Worked amazingly well on my '70. Tim

07-26-2007, 07:28 PM	#19
st1x10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 588	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... Just get some channel lock and clamp down and twist. Worked on my s10 and several other vehicles at the shop. I wish people would start leaving the gas keys when they come in for gas related things. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 "Under Construction" 2002 Chevy S10 V6



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07-26-2007, 08:56 PM	#21
chip46wis Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,317	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... I was in the used car business for several years and ran accross this many times--------jam a blade type screwdriver in the lock and it will turn right off----did this many dozens of times.

07-27-2007, 04:06 PM	#22
Orange Licensed to Thrill! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northwest, GA Posts: 1,673	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... *IIOY?* DLB __________________ 1971 GMC.Lowered. Overdrive. Orange. Krue's excellent FAQ Index.

07-27-2007, 06:00 PM	#23
97guns Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: san jose Posts: 54	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... thanks everyone - the big screwdriver did the trick __________________ '71 LWB 350/350 banana yellow '02 VW GTI turbo 14 sec. 1/4 mile

07-27-2007, 06:06 PM	#24
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... I bought a master lock kit off the MAC Tool truck. it has a couple of picks for locking gas caps. They work to. took about 2 seconds and it poped right off. ANd guess what it didn't destroy the cap either so when you did find the key.Also unlocked several cars with it. saved me the money of calling a lock smith. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

07-27-2007, 09:49 PM	#25
retodd7711 chrome makes it go FASTER! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cleveland Tennessee Posts: 2,884	Re: i lost the key for my locking gas cap.... I would not recommend getting out the torches. __________________ She can't cook and she won't clean. But she looks good in a skirt and she brings me beer. She can stay for now. EDIT:: But she left me anyway, So forget her. 1962 GMC Stepside V6 4 speed My rolling resto thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324226 My old farm truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3465005

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