Anyone using their STOCK "A" tank ?

Mine is in pretty good condition and I am considering using it. Needs a good flush and bee hive removal though. I was going to leave it in because I love the looks of it inside the cab, but I wasn't going to use it because I didn't like the idea of 10 gallons of fuel in my face, but then WTF is the difference if it's in front of or behind you ?

I'm not planning on racing with this coupe so I don't "NEED" a cell and space is tight.

Any comments ?

 

Great question. I'd like to see the responses too.

 

thats the plan.

 

I'm not using mine since I stuffed it full of steering box and wiring, but I have no idea why the general public thinks it is a bad idea. Ford touted the design as safer becuase it was up out of the way, instead of in the back waiting to get hit. That is still true today.

 

I run my stock tank with original sending unit. It my not be the safest, but it is the way FORD designed it and is traditional.

 

I'm planning on running my stock tank also. Steve

 

I still use mine, and as far as saftey go's my other ride is a CJ5 and I sit on top of that 10 gallon tank.

 

I am running my stock tank on my "A". Just replaced the fittings and valves. Put in an electric shut off valve, prevent the tank drain which can be a problem. When the tank is higher than the carbs there is the potential of the tank siphoning itself out. I put in a braided line so that I wouldn't have to worry about the line chaffing in the cab, then an electric selonoid valve to cut fuel flow followed by electric feul pump, to carbs.

Also using the stock feul sending unit. Found that the shallow Stewart Warner mechanical temp units will fit in the standard gauge plate with a slight bend in the input line at the gauge. I am actually running two of them one for the right and one for the left, Flathead. Also using the stock Speedo, running the '39 tranny, gauge need rebuilt bounces around like crazy. Tach on the colum.

See attached pictures, sorry the window apparently was a lillte dirty but you get the idea.

 

i would really like to run the stock one on my current project but wonder if the heat from the engine will affect the gas at all. i've had a few stock a's that ran the origional tank but the engine is about a foot from the tank, on this one the top of the engine is right at the seam where the tank bolts to the cowl. i'm not real worried about the tank actually having issues more with the fact that you get crappy performance/ vapor lock with warm gas. maybe i'll run a cooler can and some copper lines to keep the temp down. any thoughts on this?

 

The stock location is fine with me, I drive the shit out of my model A. Why change stuff just for the sake of it? But I run a banger. You heretics are on your own.

 

I am gonna use the stock one on my next A,a roadster pickup.

 

In the worst case scenario I don't want the contents in my lap. Moving it aft and out eliminates fumes.

 

I am running my stock tank. The float gauge is just too cool.

 

Fumes? You fuel tank/system isn't supposed to leak fumes/fuel no matter where it is.

 

We just bought a 31 last month. My dad spent half a day cleaning up the gauges and repainting the tank. It's in great shape and I know of no reason not to use it.

 

Do a Google search for 'Model A Ford unsafe gas tank'.....you'll be totally underwhelmed by the amount of articles there aren't on the subject.

The cowl tank is as safe/unsafe in that location than anywhere else.

 

I've been running stock tanks in every Model A I've owned. About 40K in my current one. No fumes. Ten gallons is plenty in a Model A. You need to get out and walk around every 150-200 miles anyway.

 

For my current project, I'm actually thinking about using a tank in back AND keeping the original tank as an auxilliary tank, for road trips. Just depends on the condition of the tank. If it's bad, I'll just cut out the bottom and add a cowl vent in the top.

 

One of the main reasons Ford quit using the tank in the model A position was cracking/leaking at the joint where the steering column hanger attached to the bottom of the tank. After too many years of people grabbing the steering wheel and swinging their ass into or out of the car, the tank material would crack from repeated flexing, and begin to leak. If your tank doesn't have that issue, then your probably alright.

 

I also run the tank. Where else is better? In the back like the '32 and use the gas tank for the bumper or put it right behind your seat possibly next to your battery. I figured having it in front isn't so bad.

Neal

 

In mid 1931 Ford started attaching the steering column to the dash rail. That eliminated the problem with the cracking/leaking. Those new brackets are avaliable from all of the Model A parts suppliers.

 

i kept the stock tank in all my model a's. no problems at all with them except maybe limited gauges

 

I haven't done it but I always liked the idea.Also thought that if the volume is too small like some say just run an aux.tank under the car or in the rear.

 

I ran the stock tank on the car in my avatar. It always worked well, no problems. Coolest thing was when the tank was full you could see the fuel in the gauge, and for the price of a cork you could rebuild your sending unit.

I'd do it again.

 

I use the stock tank in my '29 Woodie. I'm not crazy about having all that gas right there in front of me and the 10 gallon capacity is kind of small, but I really have no other place for the tank on that car.

 

Is it any worse than a motorcycle, your sitting on it in that case?

 

I ran the stock cowl tank in my "A", with no problems at all. I actually had someone fabricate a sending unit so i can run an aftermarket gauge. At shows people would be like, "wow, your running the stock tank, thats dangerous", LOL, that was the same person the pulled in with a stock 32 tank hangin out the back of the car. People are just retarded.

 

Pressure test the tank (use old cap with tire valve brased to it. Remove the steering column bracket and use the 31 Style or make on up to mount to the dash rail. Rebuild the fuel gauge, use a shutoff valve like original, and you're in business forever.

 

Back in the mid-70's when my dad built my grandfather's '29 Model A Roadster Pickup, he reused the stock tank. He was building the truck as his senior project in college, and budget was a major contributing factor the overall build-up and use of many stock parts. As my grandfather's first grandson, as well as being the son of the builder, it was promised to me. We've even got pictures of me at 3 or 4 'helping' my dad work on it. However, it has a 2000cc Pinto motor and 4-speed, disc brakes, and rear, but was designed to look basically stock. It also has a custom built header, so the engine compartment does get plenty warm. The motor has the variable-venturi carburator on it, and to my understanding, those were prone to all sorts of gremlins, but don't quote me on that.

Either way, the bottom line is that he used the stock tank, and we never had a problem with it in the 30 years since the initial restoration was completed. However, it has been sitting for the last almost 10 years, and my baby is waiting for me to restore her again, and when I do, I fully intend to use the stock tank.

One of these days I'll get some pictures up here and show her off. Until then...