Tank size
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Tank size
anybody ever try putting a late shark tank at 23 some gallons into an early shark body/frame??? and what is differant that it won't work, and is/are modifications possible??? i'm not so happy with the capacity of 16 gallons....
need 23+....
GENE
need 23+....
GENE
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Tank size (StingrayRacing)
Sting, the custom route is just not worth the money for a street machine convenience item....but if the conversion could be done for lo bux and an afternoon's work...well, NOW it's worth it....so that means stock components, meaning further, probably limited to C3 vette tanks....unless those infamous incendiary aided explosive pickup truck tanks would fit????
GENE
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
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From: Tampa FL
Re: Tank size (StingrayRacing)
Gene - We tried a bunch of different years & just weren't happy with the results. Best to just build a custom one if you can. You can put together a cardboard mockup & take it to any fabrication shop. It will be lighter than stock & just as strong. That way you can build custom baffles & any size you want. We were able to get as high as 52 gallons, but obviously most people will want something a little more reasonable. A 25 gallon tank should be a walk in the park & much better than that little 16 gallon jobber than came with our cars.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
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From: Tampa FL
Re: Tank size (Merlin522)
P.S. Looks like you posted just before me. I think either way there is going to be some fab work, so you might as well go custom. If you are able to find a different year that works, please let us know. We kept running into problems with the crossmember.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Tank size (Merlin522)
Merlin/Steve....I have a '72 convetible, and have added rear speakers into the bulkhead so the foam covers take up a bit of space in front of the tank, but not all THAT much...thing is...what exactly is wrong with later tanks they won't fit??? and I think you are referring to the tank support...NO???
if so, that can be moved with little to no problems...and straps easily found...modified....
I did a '79 caddy 26 gallon tank into a Lemans GTO some years ago...and at 10 MPG what was one hellof an improvement....but here it's not all THAT critical, but if like I say fairly easily done....well why NOT???
GENE
if so, that can be moved with little to no problems...and straps easily found...modified....
I did a '79 caddy 26 gallon tank into a Lemans GTO some years ago...and at 10 MPG what was one hellof an improvement....but here it's not all THAT critical, but if like I say fairly easily done....well why NOT???
GENE
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Tampa FL
Re: Tank size (mrvette)
Gene - I agree with you. It's all GM so swapping around the crossmember/tank support should allow for a bigger tank. I think the issue with going from the 74 to the later design was the tank support didn't line up correctly, the width was a little funky & the hole at the top of the deck lid didn't line up right. With all those items together, it just made more sense for us to build one. I have no doubt that with a little mix & match you can come up with something that is not only cheaper but easier. When you do - definitely post it because this is a battle many folks have fought. Good luck & keep us posted!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Tank size (Merlin522)
Merlin, you say you tried it, I believe you...cool...so it won't work, I need something though, buddy of mine built a wonderful 200 gallon fuel tank all reinforced and tigged up tight for an offshore boat here, we filled it with water and drop tested it in the driveway here....held up fine....he's a welder at the shipyard, knows his metals pretty good....working fine in the boat too at this point....stored the thing for 8 months while engines were being overhauled....another story....
so I wonder if he could do one for the vette also??? gotta ask...
GENE
so I wonder if he could do one for the vette also??? gotta ask...
GENE
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
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From: Tampa FL
Re: Tank size (mrvette)
We couldn't find an easy way to toss one in there & your friend certainly sounds qualified!! Might as well have him make you something. It certainly will be strong enough from the sound of it! :cheers:
