bladder or no bladder?

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May 8, 2008 | 06:04 PM

tjohn1008

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Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 64

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From: sobieski wisconsin

bladder or no bladder?

should i install the bladder in my new fuel tank or not?it looks to be in good shape.i dont no what to do so i will ask you.pros and cons please.thanks,tj

May 8, 2008 | 06:47 PM

Durango_Boy

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 24,125

Likes: 15

From: Columbia Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjohn1008

should i install the bladder in my new fuel tank or not?it looks to be in good shape.i dont no what to do so i will ask you.pros and cons please.thanks,tj

My bladder was in bad shape so I just reinstalled my tank without it. I actually gained about a gallon of capacity, and as far as I know the bladder was just a safety item designed to help keep the fuel in the tank in the event of a rear collision. I'm okay with not having one, but others may disagree.

May 9, 2008 | 10:12 AM

SanDiegoPaul

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 10,362

Likes: 5

From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durango_boy

Same here. I took mine out and the tank was pristine inside.

May 9, 2008 | 10:22 AM

Belgian1979vette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,164

Likes: 7

From: Beringen

Is this a post 78 tank ? How did you guys take that bladder out ?

May 9, 2008 | 10:28 AM

Jud Chapin

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Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 10,560

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From: Wellington, FL

St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25

The bladder is there for safety reasons (mandated by the Feds) in the event of a collision. A spark could ignite gas fumes and we all know how fiberglass holds up under fire. If you can, I would definitely recommend reinstalling it.

May 9, 2008 | 10:53 AM

stinger12

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 3,930

Likes: 15

From: Calgary Alberta

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belgian1979vette

Is this a post 78 tank ? How did you guys take that bladder out ?

The OP has a 76 vette, which has a removeable rubber bladder in the tank.

May 10, 2008 | 08:45 AM

Durango_Boy

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 24,125

Likes: 15

From: Columbia Missouri

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jud Chapin

The bladder is there for safety reasons (mandated by the Feds) in the event of a collision. A spark could ignite gas fumes.

Wouldn't this apply to every other car's gas tank, most of which are not equipped with a bladder? I understand the fiberglass burns a lot faster, but the fire would still start in a steel bodied car.

May 10, 2008 | 09:05 AM

tjohn1008

Thread Starter

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Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 64

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From: sobieski wisconsin

thanks for all your input,i think i will install in new tank,tj.

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May 10, 2008 | 10:42 AM

Jud Chapin

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 10,560

Likes: 439

From: Wellington, FL

St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Durango_boy

Wouldn't this apply to every other car's gas tank, most of which are not equipped with a bladder? I understand the fiberglass burns a lot faster, but the fire would still start in a steel bodied car.

On a plane about 30 years ago, I happened to be sitting next to a Fed who was very familiar with this bladder and why the Gov got involved. While I don't remember even how the subject came up, as I recall, it was an extreme safety issue since a rear end or side collision could result in a punctured fuel tank, which could result in fuel all over the place, which could result in a fire, and burn the Vette, and its occupants, to the ground in a very short few minutes. Other factors were, I believe, the proximity of the tank to external elements and the size of the car. One thing I remember very clearly was that this guy was very adamant about the safety provided by the bladder. Frankly, there is no way I run my Vette without one.
Here's something I found on the net regarding the subject. Tab down to General Motors, Exploding Gas Tanks:

http://www.multinationalmonitor.org/...mm1292_06.html

Last edited by Jud Chapin; May 10, 2008 at 11:16 AM.

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