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...?

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!

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".

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.

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.

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!

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

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!