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Old 07-17-2020, 04:08 PM
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Default Need some direction on fixing/replacing my gas tank

I'm trying to decide what to do with the gas tank in my '73 Formula. It is an OEM tank, however it is not original to this specific car. It is quite clean inside. However, when someone replaced the tank with this one(used at that point) years ago they put some of the anti-squeak stuff between the tank and the straps.
I think I read somewhere on PY that Firebirds did not have this originally. Is that correct?

But, I digress. Anyway, when I started cleaning up the outside of the tank, I noticed there were fairly deep pits in the metal where the straps had been. To this point the tank had never leaked to my knowledge. It seems to me, however, that these pits would be a likely place for that to become an issue somewhere down the road.

So, I am trying to decide what to do here. I would really prefer to use the OEM tank as all the aftermarket tanks I have used on projects in the past have been somewhere between "well, I guess it'll work" and "what a piece of crap" as far as quality. Out of the different suppliers I have used in the past, I think the Tanks Inc one was the best. But, it was still just OK in my opinion. Because of this I have debated cleaning my OEM tank up and smearing some sort of epoxy over the pitted areas as a precautionary measure and taking my chances.

I am also trying to figure out the sending unit. It is also OEM and works like a champ. But, the tubes that come off of it and run along the front of the gas tank look as though the may have some thin spots. Once again, it has also not leaked up to this point. But, what may the future hold?

I really don't know what the best direction is. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 07-17-2020, 09:17 PM
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I have used POR 15 on the pits after etching with fast etch, or metal ready, or vinegar. Clean with DX330 , or solvent based wax and grease remover.(kleen strip is cheapest) .dry completely. You can do 2 coats of POR if you wait 24 hours between coats. The top gets squeak pads . Another option I have used is "Marine Tex" Its a much more resilient version of JB WELD.

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Old 07-17-2020, 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Formulabruce View Post
I have used POR 15 on the pits after etching with fast etch, or metal ready, or vinegar. Clean with DX330 , or solvent based wax and grease remover.(kleen strip is cheapest) .dry completely. You can do 2 coats of POR if you wait 24 hours between coats. The top gets squeak pads . Another option I have used is "Marine Tex" Its a much more resilient version of JB WELD.
I hope to avoid POR15 if I can help it. I've used it before and it did a good job for what I needed. But, I'd feel a lot better about filling the pits.
I have never heard of Marine Tex before. I'll have to check that out. Thanks

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Old 07-17-2020, 09:51 PM
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You could sand blast the pits (or wire wheel really good) and apply panel bond. The panel bond will prevent rust from starting again. Sand the panel bond smooth then epoxy primer and paint with 2K top coat. Gas dissolves most ordinary spray can paints so make sure you use something that gas won't wash off.

I wouldn't use POR-15 on a gas tank.

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Old 07-17-2020, 11:55 PM
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Originally Posted by NOT A TA View Post
You could sand blast the pits (or wire wheel really good) and apply panel bond. The panel bond will prevent rust from starting again. Sand the panel bond smooth then epoxy primer and paint with 2K top coat. Gas dissolves most ordinary spray can paints so make sure you use something that gas won't wash off.
There is no sign that it has ever leaked in the past. This is just about preventing any potential leaks in the future. So I don't know if the paint(rattle can vs 2k will be much of an issue.
In the past, I've used something that I believe was referred to as panel bond. I believe it was a 3M product. But, it seems like it was quite expensive for what I am doing now. The stuff I am talking about came in those tubes that use a special gun to mix the components as they are being applied. Are we talking about the same thing or not?

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Old 07-18-2020, 10:00 AM
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i used a new spectra brand tank in my 72.. its a very nice tank & fits perfect & was priced cheap. far above "i guess it will work" & definitely not a piece of crap. if you arent happy with the issues on the OEM i wouldnt hesitate on the spectra or the tanksinc from what ive seen & read, they get great reviews.

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Old 07-18-2020, 10:41 AM
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Yes, 3M 8115 panel bond, and ya 50 bucks a tube so if you or a bud don't keep it around then kinda expensive if you just need a little. You don't need the special gun though, you can just push the plungers equally without a mixing nozzle on and mix like bondo on a piece of cardboard or whatever. Although I have the special guns for the various 2 part products I push small amounts without nozzle and mix on a little scrap fairly often because I'm cheap and don't want to waste the material we lose in the nozzles.

I've seen cars where the tank was painted with spray cans of regular paint, then someone spills fuel filling it or the cap leaks while accelerating and it makes the paint look like crap.

I recently finished the original tank for my '70. Obviously I'm not after not stock appearance but the tank was perfectly rust free inside and out so I straightened & smoothed it. I prefer original parts if I can use them. Better fit, blah,blah,blah. Car is a track car so I installed Holley Hydramat. Tank was shot in acrylic enamel and filler neck in BC/CC using a matte clear.








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Old 07-18-2020, 10:55 AM
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Would filling/coating tank pits with windshield urethane be too easy?

Just asking
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Old 07-18-2020, 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 78w72 View Post
i used a new spectra brand tank in my 72.. its a very nice tank & fits perfect & was priced cheap. far above "i guess it will work" & definitely not a piece of crap. if you arent happy with the issues on the OEM i wouldnt hesitate on the spectra or the tanksinc from what ive seen & read, they get great reviews.
I’m with you. Buy a new tank. Why risk it for less than 200 bucks.

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Old 07-18-2020, 11:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 78w72 View Post
i used a new spectra brand tank in my 72.. its a very nice tank & fits perfect & was priced cheap. far above "i guess it will work" & definitely not a piece of crap. if you arent happy with the issues on the OEM i wouldnt hesitate on the spectra or the tanksinc from what ive seen & read, they get great reviews.
If there's any question on the original tank rust issues this ^^^ is the way to go.

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Old 07-18-2020, 12:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 78w72 View Post
i used a new spectra brand tank in my 72.. its a very nice tank & fits perfect & was priced cheap. far above "i guess it will work" & definitely not a piece of crap. if you arent happy with the issues on the OEM i wouldnt hesitate on the spectra or the tanksinc from what ive seen & read, they get great reviews.
I get the impression that these may be like a lot of products nowadays... that is, hit and miss. I used a Spectra in my '72 C20 and, while the tank fit fine, I could never get the sending unit to fit quite the same as it had in the OEM tank.

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Old 07-18-2020, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by justincampbell View Post
I get the impression that these may be like a lot of products nowadays... that is, hit and miss. I used a Spectra in my '72 C20 and, while the tank fit fine, I could never get the sending unit to fit quite the same as it had in the OEM tank.
i wouldnt agree with hit or miss, every spectra tank ive seen has been of excellent quality & fit. & pretty sure they make the tanks for tanksinc. my oem sending unit fit in the spectra tank just fine as well as the matching spectra sending unit that i bought but later sold & went with a robbmc 1/2" sending unit that also fit perfectly fine.

not sure how long ago you used one, just wanted to reply to your comment that they are pieces of crap or barely acceptable, & if by chance you do get one thats defective or has a fitment issue at all, they have a warranty & will replace it for free.

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Old 07-18-2020, 01:09 PM
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If there's any question on the original tank rust issues this ^^^ is the way to go.

X3 Factor in your labor and materials and there really is no choice here. I have a Spectra FI tank in my 79 - excellent fit.

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Old 07-18-2020, 02:17 PM
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I just used a tank From AMES fit fine. used orignal straps . neck had to be adjusted to center in pocket
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Old 07-18-2020, 04:05 PM
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not sure how long ago you used one, just wanted to reply to your comment that they are pieces of crap or barely acceptable, & if by chance you do get one thats defective or has a fitment issue at all, they have a warranty & will replace it for free.
This would've been 3 years ago I believe.
I replaced the sending unit first(can't recall who I got it from, but not Spectra) and it fit in the OEM tank just fine. When I decided I was never going to get the old tank 100% clean(had sat for probably 15 years and there was a lot of rust on the inside), I replaced it with the new Spectra. Like I said, the tank fit well in the truck, but when I tried to re-install the sending unit, the fit was quite sloppy. I ended up tweaking the lock ring a fair bit to secure the sending unit firmly in the new tank. Even then it didn't fit quite as tight as it had in the original tank. But, it was tight enough that it didn't appear to leak after I altered the lock ring.

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Old 07-18-2020, 04:17 PM
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I just used a tank From AMES fit fine. used orignal straps . neck had to be adjusted to center in pocket
I had read here about the neck fitment. That's one of the reasons I was hoping to reuse the OEM tank. I know it's not a huge deal. But, I have gotten to be "a grouchy old man"(even though I'm only middle-aged) when "direct replacement" parts need alterations... unless of course I get them at a ridiculous discount.

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Old 07-18-2020, 04:22 PM
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... & if by chance you do get one thats defective or has a fitment issue at all, they have a warranty & will replace it for free.
Serious question: Do they cover shipping also?
Just curious because it infuriates me when companies sell a faulty item and expect the buyer to pay the shipping on the replacement(so, basically paying shipping twice on the same part). Especially when it is something large like this that is not cheap to ship anyway.

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Old 07-18-2020, 04:58 PM
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Originally Posted by justincampbell View Post
Serious question: Do they cover shipping also?
Just curious because it infuriates me when companies sell a faulty item and expect the buyer to pay the shipping on the replacement(so, basically paying shipping twice on the same part). Especially when it is something large like this that is not cheap to ship anyway.
cant say for sure on spectra since ive never had an issue, but if you buy it from a reputable place like summit or jegs etc & there is a problem, especially a defect or fitment issue before install, they will cover the return shipment & the new part to you. rockauto & even amazon will do that too if its a defect/damage, ive dealt with all 3 on large automotive parts & sometimes you get a defect or "blem" part, the return is usually hassle free.

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Old 07-18-2020, 07:02 PM
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cant say for sure on spectra since ive never had an issue, but if you buy it from a reputable place like summit or jegs etc & there is a problem, especially a defect or fitment issue before install, they will cover the return shipment & the new part to you. rockauto & even amazon will do that too if its a defect/damage, ive dealt with all 3 on large automotive parts & sometimes you get a defect or "blem" part, the return is usually hassle free.
That's good to know. I had a rockauto part that was incorrectly packaged(from the manufacturer) and a fuel neck from Danchuk(wrong diameter for listed application) and they were great to deal with. But, I've had some other issues with new ATV carburetors and Pontiac lifters(can't remember where either of those came from) where they refused to do anything. It's hard to know who you can trust these days.

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