Mr. Orange

Can my slightly rusty gas tank be re-plated?
69 Convertible

0Willcox Corvette

The cost to do so will probably exceed the cost of the new tank in my opinion. Now you can have the tanks lined at some shops but I've never ventured into this maybe others can offer some insight. For me if the tank is rusted inside, I'd just replace it with a new one and know that the issue is solved.

Willcox

cv67

just get a new one esp if yours has rust toss it in the trash
Tried having the inside redone yrs ago few weeks later I was pulling it back out
Sometimes things get too old to worry about

Youll feel better about it and no worries about filters etc plugging up plus a good opportunity to put a new sock on the sender one less thing to give a goofy running issue

Easy Mike

Why not clean up what you have (slightly rusted, you said), paint it, and keep it?

MelWff

the reproductions are very accurate, replace it

Alan 71

Hi MR.O,
Is the tank rusted on the inside or outside.
If it's just the outside I'd paint it with Eastwood TankTone.
If it's rusted on the inside I'd buy a reproduction from Quanta Products.
Regards,
Alan

Here's an example of TankTone on an original tank.

Torqued Off

And how is that better MIKE.

MelWff

Hi Alan:
In that picture, what is the vertical piece that the tank straps fit through towards the rear of the car? What year is that? Thanks.
Mel

Alan 71

Hi MW,
During 71 production (January built cars had it) a black plastic 'shield' was added as shown.
My thought is that it's intent was that in the case of a hard collision from the rear the shield would prevent the gas from splashing back onto the car in the rear and setting IT on fire TOO.
Regards,
Alan

7T1vette

A fuel tank with just minor exterior surface rusting is a functionally "good" as a new tank. It just isn't as 'purty'.

Since cost is an issue for me, I would keep a lightly rusty tank over buying a new one EVERY TIME. Wire brush or Scotchbrite the surface rust; prime it with a self-etching primer or a primer/rust converter product, and paint the outside to look good and not allow further rusting.

With these "new" aftermarket parts quality being so questionable, what's the value in replacing a non-leaking tank?

Easy Mike

Saves the cost of a replacement tank which may not be needed.

bazza77

GUSTO14

You say "slightly rusty", but how does it look on the inside? If the outside is "slightly rusty" and the inside shows no evidence of rust, I'm with those that say clean it up, remove any loose rust and hit it with some aluminum/silver paint.

Keep in mind that changing out the tank is not a quick and simple job. Frankly it's a pain in the butt. It's not a job you want to do too often and the cost of a new tank is not excessive. If after looking the full tank over there is any doubt about it's condition, I would replace it.

Good luck... GUSTO

Mr. Orange

Great looking build!
Thanks for the Quanta products tip, $229 plus shipping.
Who builds Willcox's fuel tanks?

Alan 71

Hi,
You should call Willcox tomorrow and ask.
I see tanks with 'Made in Canada" stickers.
Maybe there?
Regards,
Alan

Staylor63

I took my original tank to a REAL radiator shop. They cleaned it, fixed 4 pinhole leaks I didn't know I had, and sprayed the inside of the tank with a red seal coating...the gas will never touch metal inside the tank. Cost me $140.....just what i did. (2 cents)

74 LS4-454

This is what my tank looked like out of my 74....


this is what it looks like now after a sand & repaint...



I also have a new Quanta replacement tank that I was going to use, but decided not to, so it may be for sale...

74 LS4-454

Filler neck gasket replaced....


just before install...not show quality like Alan's but good for a driver....

GUSTO14

Tom you did a terrific job on that one, it should last another 30+ years...

I thought I might be able to save this one, but finally had to give up on it and spring for a new on...



GUSTO

74 LS4-454

Thanks Walt, appreciated. Your old one looked to be in rough shape, I think you made a wise decision to go new....mine is good on the inside too, so I was fortunate that I could save it. I see you are or already have done a body off. I was going to do that with the 74, but decided not to go that route. So far everything is working out good...