Does anyone know the thread specifications for the caps that go on plastic gas cans? Apparently, there are two different specs for cans made before 2009 and those made after; the older ones seem to have a finer pitch than the newer.

 

it seems to me that there are several standards, crack, break, fall off and get lost, and the old standby, leak.

 

The newer cans could be in litres, so the thread may be metric.
Max.

 

They're still trying to convert us to metric.

 

ASTM F852 would be a good place to start looking..

 

Wait until you get metric gasoline!

You can only run that in the new metric engines.

 

ASTM F852 would be a good place to start looking..

Probably, but I don't want to pay $37 to find out.

 

Your local engineer should be able to measure the pitch and tell you or you could ask the manufacturers.

 

Doesn't answer the question, but this is a handy chart, F1 for more options, also can be edited, if ambitious to metric.
http://www.homemetalshopclub.org/library/applets/screw_data.html
Click on the box to change size.
Max.

 

It'll be an acme thread I suspect.
Wiki:
The Acme thread form has a 29° thread angle with a thread height half of the pitch; the apex (or crest) and valley (or root) are flat. This shape is easier to machine (faster cutting, longer tool life) than is a square thread. The tooth shape also has a wider base which means it is stronger (thus, the screw can carry a greater load) than a similarly sized square thread. This thread form also allows for the use of a split nut, which can compensate for nut wear.[9]
The line of General Purpose (GP) Acme threads (ASME/ANSI B1.5-1988)

 

The Eagle Gas Can company has a lock on their technology and it can't be copied...that's why a replacement cap/hose costs so much ($12.95 - $17.95) on Ebay. It also has an explosive mitigation feature (of dubious design) I will say.
The Eagle Safety Can with the built-in screen doesn't allow siphoning and the big yellow funnel leaks when you don't want it to (fueling a boat). Their entire product line is in need of re-design in my opinion.

Cheers, DPW [Everything has limitations...and I hate limitations.]

 

The foregoing amusing (and some serious) responses notwithstanding, a law change took effect in January 2009 which may explain what you've noticed.

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/New...Child-Resistant-Portable-Gasoline-Containers/

…which leads to Mcgyvr's aforementioned ASTM F852 for $37.

In addition to the containers being child proof, efforts are underway to require them to be tip proof, explosion proof, flame proof, leak proof and idiot proof.

 

Has anyone seen a metal gas can in the past several years? I tried to buy one several years ago and was told they were banned. The plastic ones I've had turn nearly white before they start cracking, which of course means they're now junk.

 

I am just guessing why you ask...

Rural King (ruralking.com) has two stores in Tennessee. RK sells a gas can adapter: http://www.ruralking.com/ez-pour-hi-flo-replacement-spout-kit-30051.html The manufacturer is at www.ezpourspout.com. There is a long list of states for which it should be "not for sale." Ohio is included in the list; Tennessee is not. They are freely available in Ohio.

I suspect other stores may carry the same device. The kit includes two caps, black and yellow. The caps are threaded fine and course, respectively. According to a friend, the newer plastic cans all take the yellow cap. The black cap will fit and earlier, fine thread metal can, but you may need to mess with the sealing gasket a little for metal cans. Anyway, the replacement spout tends to cure the need for three hands when pouring gasoline or diesel from spill-more modern can.

John

 

Has anyone seen a metal gas can in the past several years? I tried to buy one several years ago and was told they were banned. The plastic ones I've had turn nearly white before they start cracking, which of course means they're now junk.

Yes, metal cans are available, but generally are not price competitive to the consumer plastic versions: http://www.safety1industries.com/sa...nel-5-gallon?gclid=CO6O-KPTx78CFc07MgodWR4AlQ

John

 

Yes, metal cans are available, but generally are not price competitive to the consumer plastic versions: http://www.safety1industries.com/sa...nel-5-gallon?gclid=CO6O-KPTx78CFc07MgodWR4AlQ

John

They have a 5 gallon can for $31, Walmart has a plastic 5 gal for $23, so the price is not out of line.

 

I've had to modify every new, plastic, gas can, I own.

Insane so-called safety features.

 

They have a 5 gallon can for $31, Walmart has a plastic 5 gal for $23, so the price is not out of line.

Ten years ago, that $23 can at wally world was $7.95 (without the added "safety" features.)

 

$23! I'm babying my plastic gas cans…

 

The day before Sandy hit I scored a loaner gas powered generator and was quite happy to pay $10 for four 1 gallon plastic cans. That's $10 each.

Better then nothing, way better then the guys I saw a week later in central PA: they had NY plates and were filling 5 gallon Lowes paint buckets. They had about 10 of them. In their trunk.

I do so hope they got them with covers.