Hey guys,

I have an issue here at hand, and along with it is a money issue.

I have a late model '77. I know that this was the only year well, half at least to have a gas tank with a one piece sending unit, and a blader. No one makes bladders, and mine is really dirty, and as I understand from Gus at Corvette central brittle. I know that some times radiator shops will steam-clean gas tanks bladers. However I'm not sure if the sending unit is working properly, thats liek $235!!1 And as I understand you need the blader to attach the filler neck. Here are some pictures for the fuel tank assembly out of the actual 77 GM assembly Manual:

http://fattyslims.com/vette/fueltank/

At this point in time I would rather go to a 1976 gas tank so I don't have the blatter issue. But I'm not sure what to do here. After seeing the diograms, is everyone sure that taking the blader out,a nd using the tank without it a problem with attaching the filler neck? Thanks for your help guys.

-Louis

the diagrams were a lttle hard to read, I first hung upside down from the ceiling fan, no help, after turning the screen on its side I think if the blader is not collapsed and the tank doesn't leak clean it out and use it till you have the money or really have to replace it.anips38621.908900463

Louis, if the bladder is deformed, but the rest of the tank is in good shape, you can pull the bladder out.
Take the filler neck out, and wrangle the bladder out thru the hole(after removing the sending unit!). Then, use a razor/knife to cut just the top part of the bladder that seals the filler neck off. Now you have the "gasket" needed to re-install the filler neck.
This not only gets rid of the deformed bladder problem, but it also gives you a few more gallons of space in the tank. As long as the steel part of the tank is good, this will work. It's been done many times, and works great.

I'm pretty sure the gasket is damaged. IF the 'gasket your talking about is the one between the tank,a nd the sending unit, then yes I believe it is, I'll post some pics soon.

 

Thanks guys,

-Louis

Just make a gasket.  You can rolls of gasket material at almost any auto parts store.  use your old one or the filler neck as a guide to trace out a new on the gasket material and then using a razor and hole punch dies cut out the gasket.

If you remove the bladder you may want to seal the inside of the tank with a tank sealer kit.

Ok guys,

UPDATE!

I took the gas tank to a place called Henderson Auto AIR & Raidiator. Guy has owned the shop for 30 years. H eaid that  IF I get the strainer for the sending unit, take the bladder out, and get the gasket kit (mind you that this si a RAD shop, they don't usually do this stuff) he would throw it in the boiler, make sure everything is ok, clean it up a bit. seal it, amke sure it all good attacth the sending unit/filler neck to the tank with my gasket kit, and some kind of like epoxy that never fully drys, adn is gas imune this way everything stichs together since the bladder is needed. Hes going to make it so the bladder is nto needed, adn I can still use the stock tank witht he 1 piece sending unit. Cool guy, all this for $60. He jsut saved me liek $140+ shipping.

Sounds like a plan!