Printed in The American Tri-Five magazine in Volume 6 : Issue 2

With this issue, we’ll usher in a new tech series, called “Ten Minute Tech.” These will consist of short, simple fixes that any owner with basic hand tools and a little bit of ambition can tend to in a short amount of time, focusing on the small nuances that these cars tend to have.

Our first episode, we’ll tend to a scenario that has happened to most: you pull up to the gas pump, you hit the high test button, slide the nozzle in, and all the sudden you hear what sounds like Niagara Falls under your car. The culprit? Most often a $3 O-ring on the filler neck. But have no fear, this is an easy fix with a couple easy pointers!

Here’s the common sight; it might not be at the gas pump even, a full-er tank will seep out of a filler neck while sitting still or going down the road.

All the tools you’ll need to do the job, and do it right: your hand tool of choice, a socket for the filler neck screws, a DAN-195A Filler Tube O-Ring, and a bit of petroleum jelly.

On a ’55 wagon, such as my sedan delivery, there are two screws at the bottom of the wheel house holding it in place. On a sedan/hardtop, they will be towards the top. Remove the mounting screws completely.

With the screws removed, simply give the filler neck a tug, and pull it out through the gas door.

As you can see, this filler o-ring is cooked. Worn flat over the years, and someone had smeared silicone around the hole, but being as regular silicone is not fuel compatible, it obviously didn’t last long. Take your favorite pick or flathead screwdriver and remove the old o-ring, and clean up any residue or rust there may be on the filler neck with a scuff pad and your favorite cleaning solvent.

With your filler neck cleaned up, go ahead and install your 195A o-ring. Once installed, coat it with a liberal amount of petroleum jelly. It is fuel soluble and helps with installation. Installing dry will result in the o-ring rolling/pinching, and a failure to seal.

Clean your gas tank’s fill tube opening the same way you did the fill neck, using a rag to plug the hole, and keep any debris out of the tank. Luckily, this one was in good shape, so a quick wipe with some acetone, and in goes the filler!

Once your filler is fed through, you can go ahead and push the filler neck into the tank. Don’t be afraid to rotate while pushing, it’ll sometimes need some help. This is one step there is a LOT more room to do in a sedan/hardtop as opposed to a wagon.

With the filler neck installed, simply line up your holes and run the screws back in.

And that’s it! You’re able to fill up your tri-five without worry of more fuel winding up on the ground than in the tank!

Check out our complete gas tank and fuel related items here.