68 fuel tank replacement
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 963
Likes: 57
From: Vancouver, BC
68 fuel tank replacement
what is everyone going with when replacing the fuel tank? I have seen some online and I noticed some say 68E and others 68L, what does that mean? My car guy suggested I drop the tank to clean it out as the car is starving for fuel and he's had to replace the fuel filter. Instead of cleaning it, I was thinking of just getting a new one.
What is everyones suggestions? I have a 68 350, new fuel lines, fuel pump, carb etc.
Thanks!
What is everyones suggestions? I have a 68 350, new fuel lines, fuel pump, carb etc.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
titanle- 68E and 68L refer to early production and late production in the model year. Especially for the 1968 Vette, which was a new body style, Chevrolet made some changes to the car during the production year. Not sure if there is a difference in the fuel tank.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Offhand, I'm not sure the tanks changed in 68, so there may not be an "early" or 'late". Do you have the AIM? If there was a change of tanks, there may be a change date on the AIM page.
There is no production date in the VIN unless you want to chase down the consecutive unit number and determine about when the car was produced. Time build date on the trim tag is the quickest was to determine production date. That will get you to within a day or two.
There is no production date in the VIN unless you want to chase down the consecutive unit number and determine about when the car was produced. Time build date on the trim tag is the quickest was to determine production date. That will get you to within a day or two.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Jan 11, 2019 at 09:57 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 719
From: Lafayette Louisiana
My 2cents;
IMHO, I only buy a new tank if it has pinholes and is leaking. Even if it is leaking, you can supposedly buy a product, Evercoat? maybe? that will seal the pin holes, but I am not sure I would trust that. So, I drop the old tank, clean out the inside, coat the outside with a rust convertor and then top coat with a bright nickel Rustoleom spray paint, then install a new pickup.
Hope this might help and good luck, maybe a tank sticker too will be found??
Hope this might help and good luck, maybe a tank sticker too will be found??
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 963
Likes: 57
From: Vancouver, BC
Thank you for that, i'll verify the VIN. My car guy suggested dropping the tank and just cleaning it out, and IF there's leaks or any issues then to go ahead and replace it. Makes sense but at the same time a new tank would provide piece of mind as well, no idea if the tank is original or not. I think we will drop the tank and if I can get away with just replacing the filler sock i'll do that, otherwise i'll get a new tank.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I'm pretty sure that the tank did not change during the year. There are tanks with and without a return line though. What does the inside of the tank look like? Use a bright LED flashlight and inspection mirror. You can get pretty good view of most of the tank. If rusty I would replace it, but that's me. I had to add a return line fitting to mine (not original tank) so I had a local radiator shop clean it out before brazing the fitting in. If it does not look bad you may try that but a new tank is not that expensive. The sock may be clogged also and you can change that without dropping the tank. Get a new sock and o-ring to ensure a good seal.
Last edited by flyeri; Jan 11, 2019 at 08:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 488
Likes: 43
From: Vancouver British Columbia
Hey Titanle,
I went through this with my 1969. I had the original tank which had some rust on the inside that was giving me all kinds of grief as it flaked off and ended up in my carbs. I wanted to keep my original tank so I took it out to Hans Radiator in Richmond (Number 3 Road and Bridgeport) and he cleaned it out with some type of solution and and putting a chain inside to move the solution around. Cost a little less than a new tank.
Looks great inside and very happy with the results. I didn't replace it as I am trying to stay pretty much original on my build.
If you want piece of mind, Spectra makes great tanks that are sold pretty much everywhere.
Good luck, Pete
I went through this with my 1969. I had the original tank which had some rust on the inside that was giving me all kinds of grief as it flaked off and ended up in my carbs. I wanted to keep my original tank so I took it out to Hans Radiator in Richmond (Number 3 Road and Bridgeport) and he cleaned it out with some type of solution and and putting a chain inside to move the solution around. Cost a little less than a new tank.
Looks great inside and very happy with the results. I didn't replace it as I am trying to stay pretty much original on my build.
If you want piece of mind, Spectra makes great tanks that are sold pretty much everywhere.
Good luck, Pete
Last edited by VancouverL71; Jan 12, 2019 at 02:43 AM. Reason: spelling
Racer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 488
Likes: 43
From: Vancouver British Columbia
And as flyer said, for a couple bucks, you can replace the sock in the tank. It can be done from above if you find someone that can fit their hand through from above but best to just buy a new seal and take it out from below. Messy job draining the fuel but an easy job other than that.
Good luck
Pete
Good luck
Pete
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 343
From: Allenton Wisconsin
When I replaced the tank in the 6t8 I just ordered it from one of the big vendors [forgot which one]. I ordered a non vented one and use a vented cap. The style and dimensions are the same as the tank in my 69, so don't worry about early or late. My 6t8 was built in January of 68 and the 69 was built in December of 69. As far as finding about your car log into the 'Corvette Registry' you will find your build date and other info [the serial number is required]. T
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
And as flyer said, for a couple bucks, you can replace the sock in the tank. It can be done from above if you find someone that can fit their hand through from above but best to just buy a new seal and take it out from below. Messy job draining the fuel but an easy job other than that.
Good luck
Pete
Good luck
Pete
I do the radiator the same way except I use a clean bucket. No messy antifreeze running everywhere.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,178
Likes: 1,668
From: Long Island
The cost to clean and repair the tank may be equal to or more than a new tank.
If I planned on keeping the car for more than 10+ years I would just replace the tank, that's just me - one less thing to worry about.
Just be sure to replace the cork neck seal when you take the tank out. It's a lot easier to clean it while it's on the floor.
If I planned on keeping the car for more than 10+ years I would just replace the tank, that's just me - one less thing to worry about.
Just be sure to replace the cork neck seal when you take the tank out. It's a lot easier to clean it while it's on the floor.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Jan 13, 2019 at 02:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 963
Likes: 57
From: Vancouver, BC
Thanks for all the replies guys, tons of valuable information! I do plan on keeping the car long term at this point in time, so it may make the most sense to just buy a new tank. But i'll hold off on any definitive statements until we get the tank dropped and see exactly what we're dealing with.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 705
Likes: 96
From: Ventura County CA
In the VIN, the numbers after the "S" are the sequential production numbers from 400001 thru 428566 from Sept 1967 to July 1968. Monthly production serial numbers by month, according to mcjacks corvettes are: Sep 67 400001 to 400905. Oct 67 400906-403410. Nov 67 403411-406582. Dec 67 406583-407922. Jan 68 407923-410386. Feb 68 410387-412647. Mar 68 412648-415000. Apr 68 415001-417676. May 68 417677-420928 Jun 68 420929-423978. Jul 68 423979-428566. The "code" for the VIN is (for example 194678S400001) first digit 1 means Chevrolet Motor Division. Second digit 9 means Corvette. Third digit 4 is V-8 engine. Fourth and fifth digits 67 means T-top, 37 means convertible. Sixth digit 8 is model year 1968. S is for the St. Louis assembly plant. The remaining six digits from 400001 to 428566 are the sequential numbers assigned to each car.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
Another thing you might think about is ordering a new cork filler neck gasket as they dry out, crack and leak. When installing the tank it is easier to rotate it into place with the filler neck removed and some masking tape over the opening. Once it's in place, rip off the tape and install the neck. Most vendors also have the whole tank kit that includes everything including new sender, sock, seals and hoses. A bit cheaper that way. That's what I did on my 69.