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#1
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1968 Bonneville Fuel Tank Search
My 1968 Bonneville convertible is most likely in need of a new fuel tank. Does anyone know where i can source one? In my searching the '68 seems to be the most elusive. I m not sure if the Catalina or GP tanks are the same given the longer body length, or if other (available) years would fit even with modification.
As a last resort i may attempt the interior coating method; but given the amount of loose rust I removed from it I would prefer to find a replacement instead. My sender is also badly corroded and well beyond functional. Anyone have advice on repair of replacement of that as well? |
#2
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Auto City Classic sells a tank that's listed for 1965-1966. I don't know what the difference would be from a 1968 car, I think they were all the same capacity. https://www.autocityclassic.com/gas-...-tank-ts6566p/ It says their 1965-1966 tank is 39 1/2" x 33 3/4" x 6", you could measure your tank and also compare it to the pictures on their website to see if it would work.
If that one won't work, I checked the online parts database and it does show separate part numbers for 1965-1966, 1967, and 1968. It also indicates the same tank was used each year for all models, so one from a Catalina or Grand Prix should fit a Bonneville. If you end up having to fix the one you have, there is a national chain called Gas Tank Renu that repairs and coats tanks. I don't have personal experience but have heard good things about them, you could check to see if there's one in your area. https://www.gastankrenu.com edit: I looked and didn't see any in Wisconsin, but there's one here in Minneapolis and another in Illinois - not too close to you, but maybe not out of the question. |
#3
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As Stuart indicated the tanks are listed differently for the years he shows. Per my 5/74 MPC the 69 tank also has its own part number. All of those tanks show a 26 ½ gallon capacity and included the filler pipe. The gas tank straps for 65-67 each have their own part number, however only one number is listed for 68-70 P8 indicating, to me at least, the tanks for those years are the same physically. The difference maybe being the filler pipe, vent location, sender location???? As an FYI the part number for the 68 tank is 9790794 as of 5/74----may be later superseded.
Last edited by 64-3Deuces; 09-19-2020 at 04:39 PM. |
#4
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The online parts database shows that part number as well.
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#5
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I figured it would but I'm not a subscriber so no access, though the price looks pretty reasonable since I don't have anything later than the 5/74 MPC
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#6
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Thank you guys for the thorough and timely info. I'll remove the tank over the winter and order up a '67 or '69 tank, assuming its visually and dimensionally the same.
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#7
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For the sending unit, your best bet is to have it rebuilt. Nobody makes an aftermarket replacement for the full size models unfortunately... only Firebird, GTO, GP, LeMans, and Tempest I believe. I sent mine to TriStarr in upstate New York. "Fuel sending unit specialists" they call themselves... see http://tristarrradiator.com/
I read those recommendations for years (with a non-working gas gauge in my 69 Executive) before finally sending mine in a couple months ago for rebuild. It was in the neighborhood of $240 I believe, a little pricey but so nice to have it working again! No better time to have it done then when the tank is off, but they run about 3 weeks behind so Id plan around that and/or check with them first. |
#8
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Thanks for the lead on TriStarr; Bob's Speedometer was another option I was considering as well.
When I looked a couple years ago there was nothing available as far as a new replacement sender for '68 Bonnie. However, I just found this link on ebay: 67-68 Pontiac NEW Replacement Dual-Line Fuel Sending Unit Catalina Bonneville https://ebay.us/8AgpVc Its under $100 shipped. Anyone here have recommendations for or against this? |
#9
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I wouldn't necessarily trust that listing. The sending unit itself doesn't have the flared edges to prevent the hose from pulling off and leaking like the factory ones do. The application lists it fitting a '67-68 4 door wagon and anyone who has had one of those cars knows there's no way that sending unit would work in one. The original fuel sending unit is a cylinder with a donut that floats in it. The swinging arm replacement would work fine if the depth of the float and pickup are correct.
I'd be wary that someone didn't take a sending unit from an A body and claim it'll fit a B body (it won't). I'd want measurements on the diameter of the metal plate, o-ring, and locking ring because if the rest of it is perfect but those are off, it won't work. |
#10
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I have been looking at that sender as well. Look at the seller's name. That's right - Frank's. Parts Now search his parts website. Believe you will find it there as well. Are they any good? I have no idea, but might be willing to find out.
But I am more curious to learn if the basic dimensions of the tank are similar year to year and only the filler neck changed. Seems hard to believe no one would have pointed this out over the years. Who knows with an authoritative understanding? |
#11
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Franks Pontiac Parts is a well known name in the Pontiac world, so you can at least trust its not a fly-by-night seller who is pushing some foreign-made fake. I'd contact them directly to ask your fitment questions, also confirm the return policy if it doesn't fit for some reason.
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#12
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Quote:
Does this prevent you from using one in the other? Maybe, maybe not. Why does no one know much about this? Because no one cares about these cars compared to the GTO and Trans Am lines. I only know what cars I've worked on the gas tanks for. If you can find an Impala or Caprice tank & sending unit, those actually will work and fit, they just won't be 100% correct and the size will be off (19 gallon vs 25 gallon I believe). |
#13
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I installed one of the 65-66 tanks in my 68 Catalina. The primary differences are the filler neck and the strap placement. the strap recesses are farther apart than the 68's, but fortunately the two narrower recesses just inboard of those line up perfectly and the straps will just fit. I was also able to swap out filler necks, but would recommend you let a professional do that part as my solder job was not gasoline tight at first. You will have to get the accompanying sending unit too, since the hole is too small for the 68 unit. Lastly, I had to tweak the lock ring receiver(for lack of a better term) to get a tighter squeeze on the o-ring because I also had a leak there on my initial fill-up.
Good luck with it! Ron.
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#14
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Now that's good info! As suspected, it's more of a fit and filler neck issue than anything else. Glad to hear we have options since the original style isn't reproduced and unlikely to be.
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#15
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As for the sending units a lot of the repair shops for sending units will actually just take your original sending unit and chop of everything except the top and weld a A body style lever arm. You could actually do it yourself, by a repop A body unit and weld the mechanism to the underside of the top cap of your original unit. Even the depth of the tank is about the same.
Btw, in 68-69 there were two kinds of sending unit. A single pipe unit is for non A/C 2 bbls and the two pipe unit (with vent line) for all 4 bbl as well as 2 bbl with AC.
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My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops) 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop) 1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop) 1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon 1969 Executive 4dr Sedan 1969 Bonnie Cvt 1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them) 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them) 1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model) |
#16
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Hey SavageHenry have you found a gas tank for your 1968 Bonneville convertible. I am also looking for one right now. If you know where I can get one can you tell me where you got your. Thank you
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#17
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I have a very nice used 68 Bonneville gas tank
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#18
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Can you send me some photo of tank to my email at wc2362623@gmail.com
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#19
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From personal experience, the replacement sending unit from Franks works well. But you more than likely have to bend the arm to make sure that it reads accurately. My suggestion is to measure with an ohmmeter the ohms with the arm all the way down and up, and make sure that it reads the same ohms installed in an empty tank, as it did when it was out of the tank and the arm all the way down. In my case i just had to bend the arm up slightly. A bit of trial and error but it worked just fine.
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#20
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Quote:
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