How to remove a metal spout

[wilfreeman]

Hi all,
I have a 1942 can that an old veteran have me a couple of years ago. It has a makeshift spout, made with a couple of metal bushings screwed in and a galvanized pipe screwed in the smaller bushing. I tried putting it in a vise and using a pipe wrench to turn the pipe. Also true using 2 pipe wrenches with heat. Didn't go to red hot, but the bushing wouldn't budge. I put the whole thing in the electrolisis tank to clean the inside - worked well on the rust, but didn't help to loosen the spout. Any ideas on how to remove this thing?

Matt

[Marty, SoCal]

If you are not trying to save the bogus spout, you might be able to relieve the thread tension by cutting through the adapter with a die grinder as close to the cans' threads as you dare to weaken it in a couple spots so it can release from the threads more easily

[Ben Dover]

You are using heat to remove a spout from a gas can ???????????

BOOM!

[wilfreeman]

I think I can do something with that idea. Maybe I can take the sawzall and cut the 2 smaller bushings off and do a verticle cut down to the threads. Thanks for the idea! Here's a pic of what I am dealing with. Also, it is a Nesco 20-5-41.



Hey Ben - the fumes have been gone out of this thing for a long time - no BOOM!

[Ben Dover]

Still not a good idea, there are a lot of "I told you so" remarks when non suspecting persons make the local news after blowing up fuel containers.
Why not block it under your front Jeep Bumper and get a large pipe wrench to turn the largest bushing? No BOOM!.

[wilfreeman]

I'll try to secure it and loosen with a pipe wrench again before using tools. I sprayed it down with some PB Blaster today. It's been a while since I messed with it, so I kind of forgot what all I did try on it. I know I tried a pipe wrench (without firmly securing it - don't remember if I sprayed it). I'm pretty sure I tried heating it up and a pipee wrench (not secure). I'm almost finished with my Jeep, and have started thinking about the accessories that will go on it. This can won't be on it (I've got a '51 Radio Steel for that), but I figured I would try to fix it up anyway. Oh yeah - it is a water can.

[Ben Dover]

Those bushings are a tapered pipe thread and jammed in, they are supposed to start dry. It is possible that the pipe threads have altered the threads in the can as those on the lids are straight threads and not the same as the reducing bushings.

[wilfreeman]

I hope not, but if it is messed up I didn't pay anything for it. I don't have a cap for it anyway.

[gerrykan]

Maybe I can take the sawzall and cut the 2 smaller bushings off and do a verticle cut down to the threads.

I think this is the best idea, as it may take a lot soaking with the penetrating oil.

[tamnalan]

If you're patient another idea would be to invert it into a bucket of molasses for a couple of weeks.

[Ben Dover]

And I think the tapered pipe threads are the major issue, they are not the same as that of the can.

[wilfreeman]

Yeah, after letting it soak a couple of days, it still wouldn't budge with a 2' pipe wrench. I think that is going to be a no go because the side of the tank, where I had it wedged, started bending.

My father in law has my sawzall - I'll grab it this afternoon. I think that's going to have to work - like you said Ben, the pipe threads are wedging themselves in the can threads VERY tightly. And the rust isn't helping anything.

When I get these bushings out, the can has some pencil eraser sized holes in the bottom and some smaller - is this can worth putting a liner in and buying a cap for? Would a liner work on holes that big? I thought maybe putting duct tape over the bottom and pouring the liner material in, letting it dry and peeling the duct tape off.

[Ben Dover]

Best way is to let a radiator shoip cut out the rust and solder a patch, it can be lined, but is it really worth the expense? Best try a cap first to see if the threads are OK.

[wilfreeman]

That's what I was wondering - is it worth it? The expense and trouble. I really don't need a water can, and I have a decent gas can for my Jeep.

[tamnalan]

Further, that one started life as a gas can.