Always appreciate the sage advice I get here.  Dropped my tank last week to wire brush and "Rust Encapsulate" as much of the frame as I can get to.  It looks original but no build sheet.  I notice the tank is heavily scaled with rust on the top near the sides.  It has not gone all the way through but it is pretty rough.  Should I wirebrush the tank, use some rust converter and paint and put it back or replace it at this point? It has no leaks and the inside is pretty clean too.  Just not sure I need to spend $200 on a new one. Opinions?  I know you have them!

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Mario

Depending on how bad the rust is would be the key. Most times if the rust flakes off in pieces that are what I would call chunky I would probably replace it. If you can take your finger nail or a screw driver and pick pieces off then I would replace. On my 72 I just did the wire brush and then painted with POR15 paint. Mine was just a very light powder rust so I wasnt really worried about it leaking. The good thing is that the tank isnt that hard to get down should it leak at a later point.
Just a word of caution, this is where the "while I'm at it" starts. Next thing you know you have replaced motor, trans, wheels, tires ect........  LOL   Be careful!
Best of luck,
Rodney

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Rodney, I resonate with your "while I'm at it" syndrome.  That started 6 years ago with me "freshening up" the engine bay! Cars been off the road since. And it continues ...while the tank was down I removed the rear bumper hardware and taillight housings 'cause they were rusted.  Going to try and sandblast them but they are pretty pitted too.  (Car is from Canada) Thats why I was thinking of skimping on the tank.  However there are big, big flakes coming off with deep pits so I guess it's a new tank for me.  Anybody have any good sources?  Quanta was not the cheapest, actually Rock Auto is but it's not reproduction.  I'm never gonna be a NRCS guy anyway!  Your posts have inspired me to get off my butt hope to have this car on the road by spring!

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Mario

In the case of the gas tank it is not hard to replace if it leaks.  So in my book it is something I would not replace until it leaked.  If you stop the rust and you will there is not damage and it should not get any worst in the next few years or even longer. 

If I wanted to get it a little thicker.  I may put a piece of fiberglass cloth on the spot I was concerned with or even some liquid rubber.  The kind you dip tools in.

You said it was on the top part of the tank Not a big issue in my book. More and better things to spend your money on.

If you start picking at the chunks of rust that's on there, it WILL start leaking. As has been said, if you're getting large pieces of what used to be galvanized steel flaking off, the tank really needs to be replaced. It's more of a safety issue than anything else. I tried fixing a SMALL pinhole leak in the tank of the '74 3 times before I finally gave up, and bought a new one.
Quanta is the only place I would recommend, regardless of going full resto or not. They're really not that bad, price-wise, for the quality of the tank. I put mine in way back in '99, and it still looks brand new, inside and out.
Another option would be a good used one, if you can find one.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Mario, since you have already done the hard part of getting everything removed....I'd put a new one back in. I know as I get older I hate thinking of doining it over at an even older age.

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

 Just a Word of caution, IF it did leak and there was any possibility of SPARKS, "FLAMES" look nice "on" the paint, but not under the paint. Do it once, do it right, save the headache.

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My gas tank was leaking on to the exhaust pipes.  All I could think about was seeing all my hard work going up in a huge fireball!  So I replaced the tank and all the hoses.

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1973 BB 4-Speed Coupe Project Car

If the tank does continue to rust inside, you will eventually get to replace the tank, your fuel pump and filter, rebuild the carb, replace all the rubber hoses in the fuel lines and blow out all the metal ones.  Gets expensive, I know from experience.  

Wow!  Since this is election season, I'll go with the majority, the "replace it"s have it.  If I wasn't worried about safety before, I am now!  But seriously folks, thanks for all the input!  Ebo, was up your way this weekend visiting my step daughter again, should have stayed, coming home to a hurricane!  Good luck to all in Sandy's way!

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Mario

Mario...I think we will be doing much better in this storm than you....heh does your insurance cover replacing a gas tank that got filled with water during a hurricane...?

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Thats a great idea.  See Mr Adjustor it was like this, first the roof blew off the garage, then the gas cap off the car, next...  I dont think so!

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Mario

UPDATE   So I bit the bullet and traded in my Christmas gift certificates for a new gas tank and new hoses.  Also got new straps and hardware.  My question now is, do I paint the tank or leave it natural (unfinished)?  Any opinions?  I'm not concerned about "originality".

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Mario

A new tank has a coating on the outside. You would have to remove that to paint. Paint thinner, or something similar would do the job. If you go thru the trouble to paint it, use a good epoxy type, or urethane type paint that will hold up to both the weather and raw fuel.
As I said, the one I put in the '74 still looks new. Granted, i don't drive it much, but every time I do drive, it is a road trip, and I get rained on EVERY time....so it has been in the elements. Of course, up yonder in Yankeeland, things tend to rust quicker, so a good paint might be just the ticket.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Mario, it's a lot easier new and out of the car. Eastwood makes a nice sealer for the inside also you might want to look at.

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LIFETIME MEMBER 151

Mario, if you're garaging the car, I would elect to leave it the natural finish. I'm in the middle of my own while I'm at it. Front wiring harnesses and all new hard brake lines. If you're ever down in Monmouth county, drop me a note and pass by for a refueling of the hops and barley type. You're also welcome to join us for our annual Northeast BBQ at my place in the fall. Paul

Thanks Paul,  I think I'm going to leave it natural.  I did "rust encapsulate" any exposed frame I could get to, now I'll put the tank back, noticed some issues at the body mounts so I will be posting a question on the appropriate forum (can I replace without actually lifting the body?)  Thanks for the invites! In fact I'm down the shore often, my significant other grew up in Eatontown and still has family in the area, so I'll look you up this summer!

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Mario

Mario, I am another member of the "while I'm here club".  Mine started with a brake job.  After 8 yrs and other projects (restored a 67 camaro for the mrs, who is an ex-mrs now) I'll finally get it on the road this spring/summer.  Although, I am now having the dreaded purple wire problem from the safety nuetral switch...

Dave

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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.

Dave, thats another club I belong to as well The ex-Mrs.!  I feel your pain.  So  "while I was at it" I found that my frame has been repaired right in front of the kick-ups  in front of the rear wheels.  Bubba placed bondo over the repair to hide it.  Anybody know anyone I could get to come and give me an evaluation of what I'm up against in my neck of the woods?  I'm going to grind the bondo off to see how bad it is and see if I can get someone to tell me if it can be saved or if I have to replace the whole frame.  I'm getting a Phd. in the school of restoration hard knocks!

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Mario