Broke Fuel Filler Latch

[ducatithunder]

So I pulled the fuel filler off the car today to polish it up since the weather today is well frigid outside. I was knocking the crappy plastic pins out and the latch that holds the roller broke. Cast aluminum fails me again. So other then the latch breaking the rest of the filler is in good condition to be re polished and installed. Ill probably put in either brass or SS pins there the plastic was originally.

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So my question for the forum is has this happened to anyone else and were you able to find just the latch without buying another $500-$900 filler cap assembly? I have a cobra replica and these Lemans fillers are a popular knock off design. My cobra has a different latch without the roller. The way the viper filler attached to the car is also different (4 bolts vs 6 bolts) and the inner gasket trap door. The spring latch is almost identical on this one with out having it in hand to measure. I can find other brands that have a similar roller design for about $150 new and steal the latch off it. Thoughts?

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[Camfab]

Send it out and see if it can be TiG welded. You have nothing to lose. I’d do it in a heartbeat if mine broke, and if I couldn’t weld it, I’d hand make the part.

[Camfab]

The key to welding that part, is ensuring that you fixture it up with some alignment pins into two exterior blocks with spacers in the middle. Aluminum loves to move around. Should be an easy fix if you do all the pre welding leg work.

[ducatithunder]

I have a tig welder at the house. Its cast and i figured it would weld like crap. I can give it a try.

So you dont think robbing a latch off another filler would work? I found a scratch and dent filler from Speedway for $89. The latch seems to be a very close match.

[71firebird400]

I have a tig welder at the house. Its cast and i figured it would weld like crap. I can give it a try.

So you dont think robbing a latch off another filler would work? I found a scratch and dent filler from Speedway for $89. The latch seems to be a very close match.

I wouldn't bother. The likelihood of it working is slim and you can usually find a decent used one for $250-$300.

[Geronimo]

It can be welded. A few have done it.

[99RT10]

I have a good used filler cap. If you need it, PM me.

[ducatithunder]

I have a good used filler cap. If you need it, PM me.

Thanks. I ordered a similar one for under a $100 to see how close the latches are. If it doesnt work out or I cant weld mine then Ill give you a shout.

[mackzilla]

While we're on the topic does anybody know where to find the body to cap gasket?

[ducatithunder]

While we're on the topic does anybody know where to find the body to cap gasket?

I cant seem to find it anywhere either. I was going to reused mine but the stripper affected the glue and it came off. I have looked at the parts list and dont see one listed other then the larger one on the inside of the body and the body to cap wetherstripping

[mackzilla]

I cant seem to find it anywhere either. I was going to reused mine but the stripper affected the glue and it came off. I have looked at the parts list and dont see one listed other then the larger one on the inside of the body and the body to cap wetherstripping

Yep, I just had mine powdercoated and was only able to find the rubber gasket between the door and its base, not the base to body. I'll LYK if I find anything.

[ducatithunder]

So I went with more of a brushed look vs the high polish. Ill see how I like it installed. I may keep the base brushed and do a high polish on the cap.

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[Viper98]

hey ducatithunder, I wish the best with the cap. Hope it works out.
As far as the gaskets; Autozone, O’Reilly, maybe even the box stores have the material to make gaskets. Put the gasket on the part that’s needs the new gasket, tap lightly with a hammer or whatever to make an impression and cut out. We used to do this in the Army quite often.

Good luck bro

[ducatithunder]

Put the gasket on the part that’s needs the new gasket, tap lightly with a hammer or whatever to make an impression and cut out. We used to do this in the Army quite often.

Thanks. The old hammer and gasket trick, lol. We do that alot out on ships with funny shapes or pump housings. Works great.

[BrianACR]

I bought a piece of thin rubber like matting from a craft store. Just an 8"x11" page. Cut out the shape I needed and it cost me all of $2.

[thetalonguy]

My latch snapped after I got it back from Chroming a couple of years back.

I just reassembled and it's not that noticeable if you're not looking for it.

However, if you're going for that perfect 100 score on the Concour d'elegance, you might need to have it addressed.

[drewsss]

I had mine welded and then chromed. Turned out great.

[ducatithunder]

So mission success. For under $100 I was able to strip down a generic lemans style filler and salvage the parts to rebuild mine. Brass pins and all. The new latch is def an upgrade from the cast version. The chaulky plastic roller is gone. I kept the nicer aluminum roller on the latch. The cover also fits the stock assembly too. I kept the brushed oem cap and if I choose later can rasily put the polished version that came with the new filler on no problem. A few pics with the caps interchanged.

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[ducatithunder]

Its funny the "cheapo" filler is better quality then the stock one. The last pic is the finished product.
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[98RedGTS]

Wait!!!

My lid is tarnished and what you are saying is I can get a new cap for less than $100 and it fits on the stock base? Does it function like the stock one too?

If so, can you PM me a link to the cap you bought?

[ducatithunder]

No Prob. Give me a day to put everything together and Ill post it for the masses. I also just redid my stereo system so I have some recent stuff to post if people are interested in what fits now and keeping it stock looking. So I have alot of info to condense in to a couple threads.

[71firebird400]

Wow! Cool that they interchanged; I would not have guessed there'd be any chance that would have worked.

[ducatithunder]

Wow! Cool that they interchanged; I would not have guessed there'd be any chance that would have worked.

Yep, I had a pretty good suspicion they would. Like I said this is one of the most highly knocked off parts. No one really reinvents the wheel as its a pretty bullet proof design from the get go. Im glad I was able to use pretty much all of the parts. The brass pins and roller are def an upgrade in there own right compared to the stock dodge design.

Another bonus is the gasket that comes with it is really nice and fits the oem cap with only minor trimming of the once side where it isnt round. It has 6 holes already in it. 2 of them line up and you just punch out another 2. Ill post more about in the upcoming days.

[Camfab]

Wow, that is amazing! I too would have never guessed that it would fit. I’d round the corners of the latch so it would accurately copy the stock piece. Also how do you know the new piece isn’t a casting as well?

[ducatithunder]

I’d round the corners of the latch so it would accurately copy the stock piece. Also how do you know the new piece isn’t a casting as well?

I might do that. to get a better match down the road. Its is a casting as well ... just a much nicer, finished piece. There is alot less visible porosity in the piece. It has a little more weight to it compared to the original one.