Replacing the fuel tank... options?

[Kenny_Kline]

Yesterday, I noticed my fuel line leaking. It ended up being the return line. I ended up replacing the line. When hooking the rubber line on top of the gas tank, the nipple broke. There was about 2" left so I slid the return line over it and put 2 clamps. I tried to be delicate. Major fuel smell now and its leaking out of that nipple. Tank is severely rotted. I am going to drop it tomorrow night to find out what is going on and if there is a solid point I can make a return hole and weld a pipe. I have a feeling its not going to be salvageable. They do not make after market tanks, its illegal to ship a used tank, and car-parts.com doesn't list a tank even close to me to pick up.

So I was looking at this: click

Installing this isnt an issue but then I have to get a new sending unit. I would like to retain my stock sending unit. I could probably figure something out with retaining it but has anyone ever dealt with an issue like this when swapping there tank? I would be open to the idea of running an inline pump instead. I dont mind giving up the luxury of knowing how much fuel I have in my tank. I currently have a wally 255 HP pump.

 

I would rock the fuel cell if need be. I got lucky and #78 had a good tank and sending unit. I do keep my DSG SS sending unit on hand for back up. But if the tank looks like it is unfixable just order up the fuel cell and do it that way.

 

[Kenny_Kline]

but can you retain the stock sending unit in the fuel cell?

anyone ever done it?

 

[NateCrisman]

Check out JMFabrications.com They make a bolt in fuel cell for 1g dsm that takes the stock filler tube going to the regular cap on the side of the car, so you can fill the car like normal at a gas station. It accepts the stock fuel pump sending unit allowing you to run a normal walbro intank pump as well as keep your fuel gauge and low light. It also has a sump for external pumps.

It costs about double of what a generic aluminum fuel cell costs, but you will save a big chunk of cash by not having to redo all the lines.

not sure if they make a GVR4 model, but I might be able to lend JMF a gvr4 fuel tank in order to make the design up.

 

[curtis]

Most junkyard just stab a hole in the tank to drain out the gas and there usually pulled before going to the crusher because the amount of space to store tanks compared to the amount they resale its just not in there best interest to bother with them. I just sold mine and had 4 other people wanting it so there is a big call for them, I guess they're hitting there life expectancy now.

Maybe JMF can do up an order if they think they can sell them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

As for fixing yours it may not be worth it but if you do decide on welding on a patch first flush with water, dry, then pour in a few quarts of cheap oil and slosh it around then drain out with some type of fast dry solvent (auto zone brake parts cleaner) and let dry. The oil pulls out the hydrocarbons from the steel or so I was told. That's the army way of doing things.

We use to have to climb down in aircraft cells and the day before we use to open up the top, vent with a pressurized air hose then spray down the inside with oil in a garden sprayer then the next day would vacuum out the oil and wipe clean then go to work while wearing a white paper suit and a mask hooked to an air hose. Lot of good that did people would fart in the inlet of the pump, set open cans of sardines near the inlet or get all the smokers to stand and blow smoke in the inlet or hook it up straight to the air compressor. Nothing like going from 1 atm to 175 psi instantly, or the worst tie the hose in a knot. Paybacks a bitch /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devil.gif