Question about gas tanks

[76tr7rules]

I have a 79 tr7 non injected. The gas tank is shot. According to my gas tank guy they cant fix it.I have been searching I found a tank from a 76. Will it fit? Are some years different then others. I know they made a few changes in our cars during production just curious if the tanks are one of them. Also does anyone know a source for small gas caps. I figured out the Mustang 2 cap fits for temporary use but Id like to have the right thing.

[Hasbeen]

Hi 76yr, I'd suggest you be careful of any used tank, unless you know it's full history, & know it was fully refurbished. There is too much work involved in fitting another old tank to bother, unless you know it will last for a reasonable time.

Our tanks reached their use by date at a bit over 30 years, & then need refurbishment or replacing.

I "saved" a tank about 12 years ago. It was rusting from the inside out, as they all do. We cut out & welded a strip of new metal right across the bottom front, where any water sits, & then gave it the POR15 treatment. I have played with a few since, & they are all the same.

That tank started leaking around the sender fitting about 10 years later, so I got my money's worth out of the repair. I figured soldering that fitting with all the POR15 around it would be likely to be less than successful, & replaced the tank.

I was probably just unlucky with that one, & a good repair should last as long as a replacement.

Hasbeen

[john 215]

Hi,

The biggest problem with our tanks is they rot from the inside out, so may look ok from outside but in reality may have paper thin metal on the base [:(] You will more than likely find at least a pint or two of water swilling around inside an old tank causing this corrosion [:(]

Cheers John


LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!

1976 Speke FHC Beauty Now with an overdrive conversion

1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6, BUILT NOT BROUGHT !!!!

[Reddragon]

76

Don't know where you are located or if this site will help you. A friend used them for his Swiss cheese TR6 tank and that was 10 years ago.

http://gastankrenu.com/

Good luck.

Dale
1974 TR6
1977 TR7 FHC

[76tr7rules]

Mine must have been filled before it rotted. It is covered in very thick rust all through the inside top to bottom. I think its caused by the crappy locking gas cap leaking.I tried looking for holes and it started to leak in a lot of places

But the big question. Do tanks change year to year?

[auto_cran]

Hi 76,

I can't answer your question, but I do understand the confusion. VB sells tanks that fits 77-80 only, while Rimmer's tanks doesn't specify a year, just says for TR7.

Like you - I'm in the middle of replacing the tank on my '76FHC. Due to age and what looks to be many shoddy repairs to the original tank - I went with a new tank from Rimmers.

Side-by-side, the tanks look very similar, but the new tank has 'dips' on both the top and bottom. You can see the them when you view the tank at their site. Otherwise, they look the same.

I haven't installed the new tank just yet, but when I can, I can let you know if it fit with/without problems.

Chris
'76 Java Green FHC – a continued work in progress

[Hasbeen]

Chris, before you try to undo the nuts holding the tank straps, fit lock nuts to the top of the studs, inside the car. Two in the bulkhead in the boot, & 2 behind the trim behind the seats.

Without lock nuts the studs will screw out, & with the straps still captive, they will be destroyed.

Hasbeen

[auto_cran]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Hasbeen</i>

Chris, before you try to undo the nuts holding the tank straps, fit lock nuts to the top of the studs, inside the car. Two in the bulkhead in the boot, & 2 behind the trim behind the seats.

Without lock nuts the studs will screw out, & with the straps still captive, they will be destroyed.

Hasbeen
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thanks Hasbeen - I did do that. Great tip! I noticed when undoing the bolts how the strap was starting to twist. Needing something to hold the other end of the bolt (in the boot side) - I put a locknut. The front ones (seat side)I had no problems. I did buy new straps though. In fact - everything gas-tank wise I bought new.

[76tr7rules]

If you have access to an impact gun its your best friend. I just buzzed everything off the car with the impact and it actually wasnt horrible.

[FI Spyder]

I don't know why any competent welding shop couldn't repair it. But I believe you should be able to get a new tank (not FI) it's just a matter of shipping costs.

If you grasp the strap at the nut with a long handles pliers you can hold it in position while you undo the nut with a long extension so the strap doesn't twist. I did use Hasbeen's double nut trick. I will grant you that when everything's like new under there it helps. Here's a picture of the pliers I used putting on a clip on the rear brake cylinder, you can't see the long handles but with the angle of the jaws you can get a socket on the nut with a long enough extension so you can turn the ratchet. I didn't get a picture of it as I would need a third hand to do that.



As you can see in this picture things would come out pretty easy but I'm sure it will work when there's more rust.





- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT

[Hasbeen]

Anyone fitting a new tank should install a drain in the thing before they do.

With the ability to drain any water from rain or condensation, & any much from a service stations tanks on a regular basis, most of the problems we have with our tanks would be cured.

I still can't believe I forgot to do it with my new tank. The term silly old bugger comes to mind.

Hasbeen

[FI Spyder]

Mine has a drain installed so the sealer could be drained but it is in the top corner so can't use it to drain tank. At least I won't run out of gas if it falls out.[:p]



- - -TR7 Spider - - - 1978 Spitfire- - - - 1976 Spitfire - - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra - Yellow TCT