Spectra Replacement Gas Tank from Rock Auto

[Barracudadan]

Thanks for the input everyone.     Ordered the tank from Rock Auto and it arrived 2 days later.  Can't beat that service.

Finishing up the springs at the moment.  Then I'll be installing the tank next.  I'll give the penetrating oil a try on the fill tube, appreciate that advice.  I'm sure there will be some sort of struggle involved here.  There always is.

Only bummer is that the tank and straps I'm replacing were painted black, and I want to leave the new tank natural finish.  So I'll have to strip the straps somehow.  Wait, I'll use brake fluid or brake cleaner.  That always seems to remove any type of paint it touches.   

I went with the Spectra tank as well with no problems. I sprayed the tank and straps with a clear finish to help preserve the natural finish and keep the rust away.If you saved the old lock ring for the sending unit I would use that one over the one that comes with the Spectra tank the original lock rings are a bit thicker and seal the unit properly. Checking your sending unit with an ohm meter and soldering a thin copper ground wire from the float arm to the sending tube prior to installing tank may save you some aggravation down the road too."I had to learn the hard way". Search the threads here on how to fix sending unit problems should you need them.

[spamtank]

Again, folks, thanks for all the tips, hints, and suggestions.  This will make the job much easier for me.  That's what makes this group the best forum on the web.  I appreciate it. 

[spamtank]

I replaced my tank with a Spectra from Rock Auto.  Look for a discount code.  You cane enter "Rock Auto discount code" in a Google search.  I think I paid like $155 for it.  Don't throw away the old lock ring.  Some folks say the old ones work better than the new ones for some reason.

Guys,

Again, thanks for all the feedback.  I got the tank in this weekend, and have about 10 gallons of gas in it with no leaks!   :

Also, the tank I was replacing had the aftermarket lock ring.  So I went to Winkel Auto, Inc in Milford NH, and picked up a serviceable replacement for $5.  Gary LaPlant is a good guy.  I compared the old and the new lock rings, and they are quite different.  The material thickness of the new parts is .045" where as the original parts are .062".  When I put the sending unit back in, it took quite a bit more effort to install the ring, than it took to remove the cheap-o unit.

Now I can take longer trips between gas stations.   

[LAA66]

 

[mrbill426]

What kind of clear finish did you use on that bare metal, I have yet to find one that stays on/and or keeps rust from forming under it.  I would love to be able to spray coat bare castings too with a clear, rather than use a "cast" colored paint.
 

... I sprayed the tank and straps with a clear finish to help preserve the natural finish and keep the rust away....

[spamtank]

I cleaned mine with paint thinner and then sprayed with multiple coats of clear krylon.  Ended up peeling within 6 months.  Maybe i should have used lacquer thinner.

I'm thinking about trying RPM from ECS.

[mrbill426]

Yeah, that sux.  I have not tried the tank yet, but I clear coated some freshly bead blasted castings and steering parts  several months ago and now I have what looks like flash rust under the coating. 
At least I have not installed them yet.
 

I cleaned mine with paint thinner and then sprayed with multiple coats of clear krylon.  Ended up peeling within 6 months.  Maybe i should have used lacquer thinner.

I'm thinking about trying RPM from ECS.

[burdar]

I'm thinking about trying RPM from ECS.

This is a good idea.

I didn't do anything to mine.  There's already some type of coating on it.   I've heard of people just wiping them down with WD-40 once a year.