Gas Tank Shield
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 77
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From: Birdseye (Southern) Indiana
Gas Tank Shield
I finally got the body off my 77 and am ready to begin for real, but a surprise. There is a cover over the fuel tank ( there wasn't one on my 58). I have removed the bolts but it is welded in the front. It appears I will need to grind off the welds and remove the shield to get at everything for sandblast and paint. What is the shield for? Is it needed and if so, how is the re-weld after paint handled? Maybe silly questions but I could not find anything about it using search. Thanks for any help.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 613
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From: West Central Florida
It shouldnt be welded in the front, it should have several bolts holding it on that can be seen between the tank and the cover attaching it to the rear crossmember above the differential. It may be rusted or bubba'd together. It would be best if you could go ahead and remove the tank to gain better access to the cover. Alot of times the cover is rusted or has years of grime that collects between the cover and frame and acts like glue holding them together. If it is welded, carefully grind the welds not damaging the frame or the cover and remove the bolts and the cover and when going back together just use the bolts to attach it back onto the frame without the welds so it wont harm the paint.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 77
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From: Birdseye (Southern) Indiana
Thanks, mine has definately been welded as well as bolted. I haven't seen too much Bubba work on this car so this is a bit of a surprise. I have already removed all the bolts so as soon as the welds are ground off, it will separate. I will bolt it back.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...this was used on '75-'77 Corvettes and I believe it came about because of the Ford Pinto Gas Tank debacle around this same time frame. Also, if your car does not take a "full" tank of fuel, you might as well as remove your tank bladder if it hasn't been done already. My "shield" was scrapped several years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
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From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by Chairman
Thanks, mine has definately been welded as well as bolted. I haven't seen too much Bubba work on this car so this is a bit of a surprise. I have already removed all the bolts so as soon as the welds are ground off, it will separate. I will bolt it back.
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 423
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From: New Port Richey, FL
Originally Posted by Paul Borowski
...this was used on '75-'77 Corvettes and I believe it came about because of the Ford Pinto Gas Tank debacle around this same time frame. Also, if your car does not take a "full" tank of fuel, you might as well as remove your tank bladder if it hasn't been done already. My "shield" was scrapped several years ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Originally Posted by brian76
You mean you junked it? It does'nt hurt to mount the tank without it? That damn thing must weigh 20 lbs.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 420
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From: Lapeer MI
I know you did a search but my thread should be there. I posted this question about two years ago. I had two very opposing answers but most members suggested leaving it on for safety. They say if GM put it on, they had to have a reason. Still... I took it off to save weight.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Panhandle
I know you did a search but my thread should be there. I posted this question about two years ago. I had two very opposing answers but most members suggested leaving it on for safety. They say if GM put it on, they had to have a reason. Still... I took it off to save weight.
Did some research and the reason for the gas tank shield is that without it, the Corvette couldn't pass the rear end crash test. While testing...a rear end crash would puncture the gas tank! However, when they installed the bladder and the shield....they passed.
So it is pretty smart to reinstall it!!!
If you need one, I have a spare
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
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From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
The shield on earlier cars was much smaller than on the later cars and I believe on the earlier cars it was there so in the event of a serious rear-end crash the shield would prevent the gas from splashing back on the car behind, and setting it on fire, TOO.
Regards,
Alan
The shield on earlier cars was much smaller than on the later cars and I believe on the earlier cars it was there so in the event of a serious rear-end crash the shield would prevent the gas from splashing back on the car behind, and setting it on fire, TOO.
Regards,
Alan
