Topic: 1968 GT 390 Tilt-A-Way Vacuum Canister Restoration

[bullitt68]

I found more of the blue paint under the sound deadener on the Tilt-A-Way canister. I thought that the canister was covered in sound deadener, but it appears to be covered in plastic material or a vinyl wrap of some kind. It also appears to have some type of fibre particle board covering the end where the vacuum hoses connect.

[bullitt68]

Has anyone restored a Tilt-A-Way steering canister and the rest of the system. When I got my car it had an electrical Tilt-A-Way solenoid activator installed and I would like to restore it back to an original system. The canister seems to be wrapped in vinyl. Just curious if there are aftermarket unit available that are acceptable or if they are being restore, purchased NOS or what have you. I am assuming that they are not that common. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[J_Speegle]

I found more of the blue paint under the sound deadener on the Tilt-A-Way canister. I thought that the canister was covered in sound deadener, but it appears to be covered in plastic material or a vinyl wrap of some kind. It also appears to have some type of fibre particle board covering the end where the vacuum hoses connect.

Pretty typical. They were often dipped originally to seal them. With age the outer coating, cracks and allows water and the elements to get between the can and the coating creating what your seeing

[bullitt68]

Pretty typical. They were often dipped originally to seal them. With age the outer coating, cracks and allows water and the elements to get between the can and the coating creating what your seeing

Great info thanks. I was wondering how they covered it. FYI the only rust I have found on the car is what you see on the canister. I made another post asking about how to restore them. When i purchased the car I had never seen one before and to me it looked like a coffee can was welded to the front frame rail lol

[67gtasanjose]

A very similar one is readily available in reproduction at vendors such as NPD or Va. Classic etc. A quick search I come up with NPD's number of 19A566-1A. You may notice the two hoses are different in size. Perhaps they also sell or somebody knows where to get the correct style for the tilt column

You should also be able to source the correct green-striped tilt-away hose too for your 68. I recall somebody is now reproducing it as well.

Hopefully others who have 68's can "steer" you in the right direction on these details.

[bullitt68]

A very similar one is readily available in reproduction at vendors such as NPD or Va. Classic etc. A quick search I come up with NPD's number of 19A566-1A. You may notice the two hoses are different in size. Perhaps they also sell or somebody knows where to get the correct style for the tilt column

You should also be able to source the correct green-striped tilt-away hose too for your 68. I recall somebody is now reproducing it as well.

Hopefully others who have 68's can "steer" you in the right direction on these details.

Great thanks Richard I appreciate it. I will do some searching. The main thing I am trying to avoid is buying any aftermarket parts that don't have good fit, finish or function. So far I have not purchased any aftermarket parts as I have tried to restore as many original parts as possible, but I know that I will eventually have to cross that bridge. As long as I make good choices that is

[67gta289]

I tend to look at vacuum canisters on eBay regularly, and can say that this particular style, with nipples of the same size, are not easy to come by.   Based on my observation, I would test it; if it works, restore it.  If it doesn't work, I would ask around about to see if there have been any repair success stories.

The coating does look like vinyl.  To me it looks very similar to the finish on the metal battery clamp.  My initial thought was to start with primer and make sure it is covered, and then try dipping in paint.  I also thought about plasti dip but I think you would need to thin out the product.  Then I did some looking and found that they sell a spray bomb version of plasti dip so that might be the solution.  Something you can experiment with on a scrap piece of sheet metal.

[RoyceP]

Click here:

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/c8zz-3e547-a.html?attribs=76

And here:

https://secure.cougarpartscatalog.com/store/p/15894-Tilt-Away-Vacuum-Hose-Set-Repro-1968-Mercury-Cougar-/-1968-Ford-Mustang.html?attribs=76

[Coralsnake]

The canister with two different sized nipples is for AC. There is a tilt canister with the correct same sized nipples available as a reproduction

[Coralsnake]

https://www.dallasmustang.com/vacuum-canisters-1968-1969-swing-away-steering-column.html

The manfacturer added ribs to strengthen the can. Smooth canisters are no
longer available .

[ruppstang]

The reproduction cans as well as the NOS cans do not have the vinyl coating, it was done on the assembly line ones only as far as I know. the plastic dip would be the best product to use. The spray is too thin and would take 100 coats.

Jack at Dead Nuts on has the correct hoses.

[ruppstang]

The canister with two different sized nipples is for AC. There is a tilt canister with the correct same sized nipples available as a reproduction

That is correct and here is where it is mounted.

[RoyceP]

The one in the link I posted is for tilt only. It has two nipples, both the same size.

The canister with two different sized nipples is for AC. There is a tilt canister with the correct same sized nipples available as a reproduction

[RoyceP]

Mine is mounted below the battery, bolted through the fender apron. Dearborn built R code May 1968.

The one in the link I posted is for tilt only. It has two nipples, both the same size.

[bullitt68]

I tend to look at vacuum canisters on eBay regularly, and can say that this particular style, with nipples of the same size, are not easy to come by.   Based on my observation, I would test it; if it works, restore it.  If it doesn't work, I would ask around about to see if there have been any repair success stories.

The coating does look like vinyl.  To me it looks very similar to the finish on the metal battery clamp.  My initial thought was to start with primer and make sure it is covered, and then try dipping in paint.  I also thought about plasti dip but I think you would need to thin out the product.  Then I did some looking and found that they sell a spray bomb version of plasti dip so that might be the solution.  Something you can experiment with on a scrap piece of sheet metal.

Great thanks John appreciate it