Topic: 1972 gas tank/tank sticker
in Forum: C3 Body
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Sun Lakes, AZ - USA
Joined: 12/21/2010
Posts: 14
Vette(s): 1972 LT1 coupe w/ac;
2003 conv anniverary edition
1) Is there any tell-tail signs that would identify an original gas tank from a non-original? The tank in question is still in the car.
2) Is there an easy way to check for the tank sticker with the tank still in the car?
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
You can sometimes pull back the rubber seal around the filler neck and peek down on the top of the tank and see if there is a sheet. You can also look from underneath with a flashlight and a mirror, after removing the spare tire holder and top cover.
There are some subtle differences in the original tanks compared to the reproductions, and some repros are much better than others. The way the extra metal at the seams of the tank is bent, and how much there is is different...the repros usually have more excess than the original. There is also a difference in how the tubes on the top of the tank, for the vents, are soldered. It's hard to tell without having them side by side.
Some repros will NOT have O.L. Anderson(the OE supplier of the tanks) embossed on them, either, which is a sure sign.
hth
There are some subtle differences in the original tanks compared to the reproductions, and some repros are much better than others. The way the extra metal at the seams of the tank is bent, and how much there is is different...the repros usually have more excess than the original. There is also a difference in how the tubes on the top of the tank, for the vents, are soldered. It's hard to tell without having them side by side.
Some repros will NOT have O.L. Anderson(the OE supplier of the tanks) embossed on them, either, which is a sure sign.
hth
Joel Adams
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Lifetime MemberHOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
If you have a small digital camera that you can get in behind the the rubber seal with, you may be able to snap some surveillance shots and see what's up top 
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Lifetime MemberLodi, WI - USA
Joined: 9/25/2007
Posts: 340
Vette(s): 1972 Targa Blue, T-Top, Saddle leather, 350 auto,numbers match, all original except '69 factory side exhaust.
Previously owned: 1969 427, 390hp, 4sp, Riverside Gold coupe, factory side exhaust
I recently found mine by pulling back the rubber seal around the filler neck, as Joel suggested.
We could see it by using a dentist type mirror and a light. It was not laying flat on top of the tank but kind of crumpled up. HTH
It is very rewarding to find it, especially if you have a very desireable car like a LT1.
Dean
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in Forum: C3 Body
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