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Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief

Posted by navgirl33

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Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #1
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 20, 2012 12:54AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Hello team MGA,
Was wondering how I could get a locking cap for my car. I don't want to modify the filling valve. I see on Moss UK there are caps with locks is this the best option... I really like the original look but it is becoming a regular occurrence unfortunately.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2012 12:57AM by navgirl33.

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #2
Neil MG Neil McGurk Cumbria, United Kingdom 1956 Morris Minor 1958 MG MGA 1960 MG MGA 1961 MG MGA 1966 Jaguar Mark 2 → more	Posted: March 20, 2012 03:25AM Registered: 5 years ago Posts: 1,481

Nice looking period cap here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Factory-Wilmot-Breedon-gas-cap-MGA-Morgan-Lotus-Triumph-TR3-TR4-TR250-TR6-/250966378427?hash=item3a6ec307bb&item=250966378427&pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_600wt_1270

It has a length of filler pipe and ideally you would weld that to a cut down MGA pipe. Preferably a used spare so you can keep your original.

With a bit of work you can adapt one of the locks so you can use the same key for fuel and ignition. winking smiley

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #3
Basil Adams About 12 miles from Sears Point, USA	Posted: March 20, 2012 03:44AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 5,972

Slip a plastic bag down the filler neck and fill it with water with a few drops of gas in it for smell. The thief that siphons that into their car won't have a car for long :-)

Basil C. Adams
1956 MGA Coupe (Show Car)
1957 MGA Roadster (Driver)
1958 MGA Coupe (Racecar)
1959 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Coupe (unrestored)
1960 MGA Roadster (Driver)
MKIII Elva Courier (E1056)
1967 427 Cobra
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal
A coupla late MGBs
1960 Austin Healy BN7
More Cars than Brains

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #4
TRY Tom Young Georgetown, Ky, USA	Posted: March 20, 2012 05:51AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 98

You need to park your car some where else. If you put on a locking cap now that thief may take a hammer to your car.

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #5
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: March 20, 2012 06:50AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,646

My car came with a locking cap. It had a ring that slipped over the filler pipe (you have to disconnect the rubber union in the boot - no welding or cutting) and the cap clipped/locked onto that.

The ones on the Moss UK site are similar, and you could ask them how they attach as it does not give any explanation on the site.

JIM in NH

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #6
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 21, 2012 04:19PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Looks nice but I don't think I want to adapt the pipe. Thanks though Neil.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2012 04:19PM by navgirl33.

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #7
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 21, 2012 04:21PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Thanks for everyone's help..

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #8
59mgaguy John Terschak Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA 1930 Ford Model A "Jenny" 1959 MG 14/28 "Jessie" 1974 MG MGB "Oooops"	Posted: March 21, 2012 04:37PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 874

Anita,

Where are you parking the car to have the gas stolen? Are you sure your not leaking it out with a BAD FITTING OR A RUSTED TANK?

A locking gas cap maybe the only way to go for a short time. After a while they should stop trying. Unless they are really in need and then they'll just knock a hole in your gas tank to get the gas. If it's not a leak in you car then call the cops and ask them to keep a look out. Most cops will knowing that car they are stealing the gas from.

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #9
Bandersnatch Larry Wheeler Hillsboro, OR, USA 1957 MG MGA "Rosie 2"	Posted: March 21, 2012 05:09PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 1,134

Hi Anita,

I don't know if you have had your question answered, but I wanted to let you know about a replacement fuel filler neck that Moss sells. It's a very simple swap, just loosen the top clamp on the large black hose in the trunk connecting the filler neck to the gas tank, pull the old fill neck out, push the new one in and tighten the hose.

The adapter converts your old filler neck to one that will accept modern type twist-lock caps including locking caps. The picture is not very helpful on Moss's web site, but it looks like they have a locking cap that replicates the look of the standard cap.

Here's a link to the page and a picture.

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=63684

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Attachments:

Filler Neck.jpg (14.5 KB) –

Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #10
Bill G Bill Glatzel San Carlos CA, USA 1967 MG MGB MkI "Herman"	Posted: March 21, 2012 05:10PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 63

I had this problem with a dual tank on my Ford F250. So to be ornery I bought one locking cap. The other tank I poured in a quart of Karo syrup. To my surprise the landlord complained that someone had pored sugar into his gas tank and his engine had seized. Needless to say I never had another problem with gas disappearing.Of course I flushed the tank afterward.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/21/2012 05:12PM by Bill G.

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #11
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 21, 2012 06:59PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Hi there,
I have been parking my car under my building where I live... Maybe I am incorrect thinking someone is stealing it. I did catch some guys red handed the other day in another location actually doing it, so I am assuming that it is happening again.
I did notice a few weeks back that the pipe leading from the carburetor was leaking fuel when the key was turned on while I was trouble shooting an electrical problem. I've done spot checks since and haven't seen it leaking again.
If there was a fuel leak where would be the best places to look, the petrol tank looks like new so I can't see that being the issue.

Maybe she just needs a tune up, but she seems to be running well.
Your thoughts.

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #12
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: March 21, 2012 08:59PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,646

Basil and Bill - you are both evil, but the bad guys deserved it!

JIM

A common fuel leak could be from the float bowl overflow pipes, which are the brass tubes that go from the top of the float bowls down toward the ground.

Put a piece of cardboard under the car the next time you park after driving and see if you see some puddling/staining if you turn the key (to start the fuel pump) with the engine off. If your float needles are hung up on some debris, for example, you could just be dumping gas while you are driving. Once you stop, though, the pump stops running, so not much leak. By turning the key to the first position, the fuel pump should run for a bit and then stop when the float bowls are full. If there is a leak, though, the pump might not stop running.

(I haven't had this happen, but I think I have this right...)

JIM

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #13
wyatt Wyatt W penguin point, drift ice, Antarctica 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1960 MG MGA 1966 MG MGB	Posted: March 22, 2012 06:46AM Registered: 7 years ago Posts: 23,301

...if someone is stealing, pull the pipe from the rubber hose connection in the trunk, place some metal door screen over the pipe then push the pipe back into the rubber hose connection and tighten the hose clamps....El cheapo

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #14
colynf Colyn Firth South Yorkshire, United Kingdom	Posted: March 22, 2012 04:17PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 138

I have spotted this thread a bit late Anita, but I have just read about your problem with having your fuel stolen.

I just remembered that on a shelf in my garage I have an anti siphon gadget that fits inside the fuel pipe that I have used on quite a few of my cars over the years.

It is made of thin springy stainless steel and is in the shape of a Maltese Cross with lots of small holes punched through it.
You push it in down inside the fuel filler pipe and it lodges safely halfway down. Because of these many holes it allows fuel through unimpeded but it will not let a siphon pipe down into the tank.

I will have a look for it in the morning to take a picture for you.

If you cant get hold of one, let me know and I will see if I can get one over here to send to you.

Colyn

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #15
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 22, 2012 06:18PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Thanks Basil and Bill you are very naughty.. not sure I would feel good about those options. spinning smiley sticking its tongue out

I don't really want to put in the pipe.
I like the idea of the anti siphon gadget or the wire mesh. I'm going to try the cardboard and watch my guage and see if the little blimey's come back.
Maybe an electric fence would work wonders.

Thanks again.
Anita

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #16
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 25, 2012 09:35AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Hi Colyn,
If you have any information about the siphon gadget or a pic I would appreciate it. Been trying to find something here to no avail.
Thanks
Anita

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #17
peter d peter h yorkshire, United Kingdom 1958 MG MGA Coupe 1977 MG MGB "Abomination"	Posted: March 25, 2012 09:53AM Registered: 1 year ago Posts: 699

You will have to work out if any of these will fit.
http://www.aideautomotive.com/products/commercial_vehicle/tp-antisyph.php
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ANTI-SYPHON-FUEL-THEFT-KIT-SYPHONING-TRUCK-SECURITY-/110844433705?hash=item19ced7d529&item=110844433705&pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CommercialVehicleParts_SM&vxp=mtr

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idling screws? #18
navgirl33 Anita Hodson Los Angeles, USA 1958 MG MGA 1500 ""Audrey""	Posted: March 31, 2012 05:09PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

I had a friend tune the carbs a bit today so hopefully she will be running a bit smoother. However after I left I noticed she was idling a bit high 1500.. Is there an easy way for me to adjust the idle screws so I don't have to take it back.
p.s. I have no idea where the idle screws are, probably close to the carbs?
smileys with beer

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #19
JimNH Jim Mail Nashua, New Hampshire, USA 1957 MG MGA "Camilla (the Other Woman)"	Posted: March 31, 2012 07:58PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 2,646

There is a section of throttle shaft between the two carbs, and the idle set screws are on that shaft immediately adjacent to the carb body. Start by backing them both all the way out and then turn them in until they just touch down on the carb body. You can get this right by putting your finger on the lever as you tighten the screw - the second it moves, stop. Then, turn them both in about 1/2 turn. If the idle is still too high, then you have to start looking at whether you have to adjust the timing, or possibly have air leaking in around the throttle shafts. You can spray some carb cleaner around the throttle shaft bushings to see if the idle speed changes to check this.

Let us know how you make out.

Good luck.

JIM in NH

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Re: Need to lock my gas tank as I've become a regular unwilling gas supplier to a thief #20
barneymg Barney Gaylord Naperville, Illinois, USA 1958 MG MGA "MGA With An Attitude"	Posted: April 01, 2012 02:00AM Registered: 8 years ago Posts: 2,143

Loosen one clamp on the throttle shaft so the carbs can work independently. Give them each 1/2 turn on the idle screw, the lock the shafts together (adequately synchronized). After that turn both screws the same amount for idle speed adjustment.

Failure to go all the way down to slow idle could be mis-adjustment of the idle screws, or length of choke or throttle cables, or fast idle screw or cam. If throttle shafts are worn the throttle plate may run off center and drag on one side of the throat. Short of replacing the throttle shafts, you can re-center the throttle plate(s), which usually cures the sticking problem.

Barney Gaylord
1958 MGA with an attitude - http://MGAguru.com
Notice: - Do not leave a PM for me on the forum server. Send any private message to my personal e-mail address barneymg@mgaguru.com

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