Looking for locking gas cap

[Dood]

I'm Looking for locking gas gap for my m20J, does it exist ?

 

 

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[HRM]

You are not going to like what it is going to cost when you find it.

Kidding aside, if the gas caps are the same as on an E, it is the same part as many other planes use and I think I've seen a locking version.

Depending on how desperate you are for this, you could get two regular caps and remove the actuating tabs and make it so you needed a special wrench or vice grips to remove them. Then just replace with the normal ones when you want to fly.

[DonMuncy]

The late "Mooney Miser", Norm Smith, sold them or the parts to convert yours, or some such. I think his family still sells some of his stuff.

[Andy95W]

Here is the website. $125 and you can modify your own. Look at the bottom of the page at Aero Locks. 

http://www.aerotriminc.com/id2.html

I put a set on my first Mooney a little over 20 years ago. Worked well. 

[75_M20F]

I had the opposite experience......

I did the aerotrim locking fuel cap mod about ten years back. I give it two thumbs down.

It advertises DIY, however I had to take my caps to a machine shop and have them do it. You have to cut down the width of the tab you pull to open the cap and drill several holes as well. I spent more then the cost of the kit on the machine shop bill. I suppose you could attempt the DIY with a drill and a hacksaw, but it will be difficult to get it right with such basic tools.

The negative of the design is that anyone with a straight screwdriver can pry / break the keeper right off (in about 1 second) and gain access just by placing the screwdriver under the tab to pry up on the tab. (same tab you put your finger under to open cap......)

Both of mine are now inoperative as the little keepers have both broken off from regular use.

http://www.aerotriminc.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/aerolockinstructions.pdf

(See the keeper on the diagram page two lower right.. that is the weakness in the design)

Just my experience, others may have had better success.

 

That being said (as far as I know) it is the only option out there if you want to try to lock your caps.....

Edited March 13, 2017 by Mooney_Mike

[carusoam]

There was a day when everybody had a drill press and lathe...  drilling into aluminum can be done with the same basic machines used for wood.  The cutting tools and bits would be specific to aluminum...

My machinist friend had a Newport milling machine in his home garage.  Making owner produced parts was a breeze...

 

DIY probably had a different meaning back when the Mooney Miser was building kits...

Best regards,

-a-