Fuel tank - seal, patch or replace?

[shadango]

While I was under the fish recently working on the rear end, I found a small buble of rust (coming from inside out I think) and a weeping of gas.   Not too wet yet but a weeping.

So, gonna have to pay some attention to the tank soon.

With Carlisle just around the corner I figured I would just pick a new one up there if I saw one.

Then I started wondering if the repops are all that good and maybe I should instead use a product like POR-15 on Eastwood's site or a like product to seal it or maybe just a sealer from the outside for a bit yet.....The tank seems to be ok other than the one or maybe two spots.....

I know that a sealer wont STOP the rust, especially one from the outside....

What are the good brands of new tanks to look for?

[dutch]

No experience with brands, but I would throw in a new one. 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I tried to coat/stop rust inside of a tank that I had in my Dart. It was quite a mess, I don't think it worked well, and I certainly wouldn't do it again.

I'd throw a new tank in it and not worry about it for another ~40 years!

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Around here I have yet to see a new repop tank (regardless of vendor) that wasnt made by spectra. They make tons of tanks for later modle stuff andjust about any replacemnt tank needed for muscle cars. There quality has been good, we've sold many @ my shop over the years for different applications. Have had no returns... There's a spectra tank in NIKKI right now....... 

[72cudamaan]

Spectre is about the only tank manufacturer around anymore. And quality is good. They
used to have a lifetime warranty, but that stopped a few years ago. Now they come with a 2 year warranty.

[Bullitt-]

Studied on this from a cost side & the best I could figure was doing all the work myself I would spend close to 100 rehabilitating my tank that did not have any rust through issues..New tank was about 150 so I went new.   
Only one manufacturer, find the best price & go for it.   Also get a new filler tube grommet & while your at it a sending unit sock for good measure.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Andy is right about that, some vendors only offer a year. But with the driving I do..... I'll be dead before tha thank rusts out.    (good weather /no winters ect)  It really is about price.... you cant say that w most things here

[brads70]

I bought my new replacement at Carlisle, works great. Just replace it and be done with it!

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree with Spectra 

[spamtank]

I replaced mine.  Bought it from Rock Auto.  They seemed to have the best prices.  I saw some tanks at Carlisle that might have been $5 or $10 cheaper than Rock Auto.  But I had already spent my budget.

Make sure you reuse your old sending unit retainer ring. 

[Super Blue 72]

   When you shop around at different vendors online, you'll see that the stock number in many places will be a Spectra part number.

I got mine at Rock Auto as spamtank did.  Look around for a discount code online.  I think I paid like $155 or so several years ago. 

For the hassle of cleaning and sealing your tank, I would just go new as the others have mentioned. 

[duodec]

Unless something has changed recently there is one feature that the repop tanks don't have.  The OEM tanks (at least some of them) had an 'expansion tank' inside them; the repops I've seen do not.  If your OEM tank has a little rubber plug in the top center then it has the expansion tank.  I guess technically its not necessary, but it is a difference.

[74 challenge]

Currently running a spectra tank that I shot with eastwoods Tank Tone paint. It was very easy to install and I am very impressed. I Wouldn't waste my time restoring an old tank especially if the metal is thin enough to allow it to weep through.

While I was under there I replaced everything with a "do it once" type mentality. Changed the sending unit, the seding unit to tank gasket, lock ring, all the rubber lines, filler neck to tank grommet and all the fuel lines.

I then thought if I replaced half the fuel system I might as well do the whole thing...so I replaced the whole system. I keep the local parts stores in business I tell ya.

[shadango]

Thanks for all the feedback

Yeah I think replacing it is the way to go...too many horror stories of the sealers going bad etc out there.

Rock auto wants 167 to 177 depending on whether its a pre 3/72 or post 3/72 car.  Not sure what the diff is....

A seller on ebay has them for $120.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-early-Plymouth-Cuda-gas-fuel-tank-CR8E-new-steel-tank-4-side-vents-/230830959747?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1972|Model%3ABarracuda&hash=item35be98ec83&vxp=mtr

[4Cruizn]

I will say that back in the day before new tanks were available and before there was an internet . . . I had a leaking tank in the hardtop.  With no internet and no available replacements, I had a radiator shop complete a gas tank renew on my existing tank.  It is some kind of rubber coating where the inside of the tank is red and the outside is black.  I will tell you that tank in still in the hardtop and it has been somewhere around 20 years!  When I pulled the car apart for the stroker install, I could of installed a new tank at that time but  . . . . why fix it if it isn't broke? 

 

Wth new tanks available . . . . that is the way I would go!