Restoring Vacuum Can? Any suggestions?

[Corellian Corvette]

I bought a vaccum can for 68 charger off ebay. Can is fine (no dents) but it doesn't hold vaccum. The seal around the fitting is bad and letting air in.

Anyone successfully fixed these?

Thanks!

[resq302]

Could try a thin bead of RTV silicone which would prevent the air leak.

[terrible one]

Upgrade to Folger's!

[Chatt69chgr]

You can't remove the vacuum valve without destroying the can.  I would just clean up the can and repaint it semigloss black and paint the valve gold.  Then run a bead of clear silicone around the valve.  That should work just fine as atmospheric pressure will be pulling the silicone toward the inside of the can and will help make the seal.  And the silicone is something that can always be removed if need be. 

[is_it_EVER_done?]

The same can was used on many Ford trucks, and other Ford products (as well as some Dodge truck years) so they aren't hard to find, nor are they expensive.

As a side note, Terribleone is right on in that the cans were built by the same manufacturer that made all the cans for the coffee companies.

[Chatt69chgr]

I didn't know that about the Ford application.  Thats good info to know.  Something to look for next outing at the junkyard.  Particularly since the repop sells for $125.

[Corellian Corvette]

Can the existing valve easily be replaced onto a new can if I remove it?

I also have one of those cans sold on ebay where the valve is in the center (whcih I didn't realize won't fit properly on my 68). I may try and hack that valve up first and put off-center in a new can.

[69hemi]

I have found a Donald Duck brand orange juice can is the perfect match. 

[Winged 1]

The valves in these cans are pressed in making it impossible to remove and install on another can.
Best bet is to hit the yards or watch ebay. If you find one, be sure to do an underwater pressure test before spending the time it takes to refurbish.
Best of luck
Eric

[Chatt69chgr]

It is correct that the valve cannot be removed from the can.  I think they put the valve in, press it home with one end of the can removed, and then seal the other end of the can like they would if they were putting tomato juice in it.  But---------If you wanted to save money I was thinking that you could cut the valve out by just cutting the entire end out of the can.  This assumes you have a good valve on a rusted or crushed can.  Then you could trim the lid/valve piece down a little and solder it to a new can that you cut a hole in for the valve itself to stick through (pour the Donald Duck orange juice out through that hole and enjoy it first).  Then you might have to do a little bondo work to make it look nice but after you painted it, few would know the difference.  Probably a lot of effort to go through, particularly if that suggestion about Fords using the same can is correct.