Hey guys, I've spent all day searching the HAMB with combinations of Pontiac/Star Chief/Gas Tank/Fuel Tank/Fuel Cell to try and come up with some good info before starting a new thread. I didn't find any definitive answers, so I'm starting my own. I've got a 55 Star Chief that needs a new tank asap to get back on the road. The original had been repaired in multiple places and was leaking horribly. I pulled it out of the car today, and need to find a replacement. Heres the original tank: The measurements of this tank are: 31"x27.5"x8"tall. (this is measured to the outside edge of the flange running all the way around). It has the filler neck mounted in the center of the driver side, and the fuel line and fuel level fitting are mounted in the top center of the front of the tank. I can't find an OEM replacement tank anywhere. From what I've seen the Chevy tanks for 55-57 all have the filler inlet at the driver side back. I suppose I could make that work, and use flex tube up to the filler door. Anyways, just looking for any advice and options on this. I'm not opposed to using a different style tank or fuel cell, and cutting the trunk floor to mount it, and leaving the filler in the trunk. (I'd kind of like to close up the filler door before I paint the car). Any advice, pictures, options, or anything will be appreciated. I need to order a tank tomorrow so I can get this car back on the road next weekend! Here she is by the way: Evan
Ran into the exact same issue on my 57 Pontiac: Big time rusty, mangled badly, the biggest dent in the car was in the gas tank! Tank Renu, restored it to better than new, it looks awesome! 100% better! Not sure if it leaks yet, but they do have a solid gold warranty. Heres links to 2 california dealers for Tank Renu. Good luck! www.macs-radiator.com http://www.Mattsonsradiator.com/ if the links don't work just Do a Google search for Tank Renu. And you can quit wasting your time looking for a reproduction one, they do not exist!
I know it's not all dented up like yours, it came on one of my 55's and thats all I know about it. I never used it while it was in the car. Someone closer who may have one is Hamber applecrate (Steve Barcak). He has a huge Pontiac junkyard in Arizona. . Pontiacheaven.org. If he doesn't have one let me know. I don't know the best way to ship it - maybe pallet?
Just an update for anybody following this. I ordered a 65 Mustang gas tank kit from California Mustang ($209 shipped to my door), with new sending unit, hardware, gaskets, filler neck, clamps. I cut out the trunk floor, and am mounting it long ways in the trunk with the filler neck on the driver side, will be keeping the filler in the trunk. I'll put up some pictures tonight. I have a quick question though, I'm going to be mounting the tank tonight with metal screws all around so it's easily removable. I'm wondering if you guys would recommend a layer of silicone or some kind of sealant between the tank and trunk floor? I'm not sure if theirs any need for it, but I was thinking it might help to keep out dirt and stuff from underneath? Thanks and I'll put up pics tonight.
Silicone sealant will seal it up fine, but if you had to remove the tank it would kinda suck to get it out. Maybe some rope caulking built up enough to seal the gap would at least make future r&r easier.
Thanks Chief. Do you think its totally necessary to put some sort of sealant under there? I'd almost rather not, so its easier to pull the tank out whenver I need to. And I won't normally be driving the car if its wet or raining, so I'm not too sure its necessary. Opinions?
How about some of that grey foam sticker backed door insulation from a house door, at loewes/home depot. Should help keep the dirt out and keep the noise down too.
not a bad idea vdub. I might give that a try. Also, another question: The fuel line output is now in a different spot (exits on the passenger side of gas tank) than the stock tank (exited towards the front of car). The original hard line is in good shape, but stops on the front side of the tank. I was going to run rubber fuel line from the new tank to the old hard line. I know its normally hard line from the tank up to the fuel pump, but I really don't want to run new hard line. Is this ok to do?
Oh I should've said that, I'm not planning on the new sending unit working with my stock gauge. I'll figure that out next.
eh i dunno, used it on other cars, doesnt seem to hold moisture on your front door? go get some cork or something then. A gasket of some kinda is nice, road dust WILL fill your trunk if its not sealed at least alittle.
If you get hit from behind and the tank ruptures all the gas will now go into the trunk. It happened to me in a 67 Mustang, burned out the whole interior. Ford saved $3 per car by using the top of the tank for the trunk floor. Just thought you should know. Brian
Hey I know you sent me a Pm on this but I have been real busy and out of town last week weekend. I put one of these tanks in a 53 pontiac and my hudson how I did it was like this. I built a 1inch by 1inch steel tube frame the size of the tank Just a big rectangle. I put it over the tank "on top" marked the holes to attach the tank to the frame. I drilled 3/8 holes first then 1/2 holes on the top side. I took cut down coupling nuts dropped them inside the tube and welded them in. I welded this frame to the floor from underneath the car. This way the tank bolts in from underneath the car into the coupling nut in this frame and the tank clears the trunck floor. I didn't want the tank sticking up in the trunk (its flush under the car). I cut a hole for the filler neck in the trunk floor. I would recomend using a sealed filler neck and cap other wise the tank vents fumes into the car(NOT GOOD!). I used a rollover vent and neck from T.A.N.K.s no fumes in the car as the rollover vent is under the trunck floor pan. A liitle late fo this in your car but I would recomend not letting the cap vent in the car find another way to vent it. In answer to the question a small length of rubber is no big deal. Hope that helps Dave Hitch
I have a 52 pontiac and my tank was trash. I used a 15 gallon RCI fuel cell in the trunk with a new sender installed and just ran new fuel lines to the engine. Not sure if you want to take up the trunk space but it works great for me. 170 dollars approx. for the fuel cell in summit
evan I'd say we just throw a line of silicone gasket sealer on there tonight, bolt the bitch down, then call it a day. This crate ain't winning any trophies - lets get the bitch on the road! My chief is lonely. haha
Well got the tank in. I didn't use any sort of sealant under it yet, may pull it up this weekend and put something under it. It seals well to the flat trunk floor as is though. I'm gonna move the filler neck out towards the trunk opening farther too, but this will work for now. I will add a vent too this weekend. Here she is underneath. It actually sits about 1/2 " higher than the lowest point, which is the spare tire mount. So I'm not worried about it dragging when I lower the rear. Heres the hole: And the 65 Mustang gas tank kit from California Mustang ($209 shipped I think) I still have to plumb the fuel line and hook up the sender this weekend, and vent the filler tube, and then figure out how the hell to get this sender to work with my stock gauge. Thanks for the help and I hope this helps anybody looking to do the same.
just for info, the tank in the first post is the same as a 55 olds, I believe 56 and maybe 57 are the same... I dont think anyone repops them but if you were searching for secondhand stuff it may help.
For a '55 Pontiac I would try an '80's Chevy Suburban/Blazer 31 gallon tank, or the next size down (I can't remember if it's 21 or 18 or what, it's fairly unusual). They have the inlet in the middle of one side. I'll have to measure one up to see how close it is, I think it's narrower, but as long as it's not too long it should work.
Ford was not the only one! They just got the negative media coverage. What you describe is a rare occurrence with the Mustang, and would be much less likely with a big car like the Pontiac that is a body on frame car rather than a unibody like the Mustangs. Ford used a non hardening sealer (dum-dum) when installing these tanks. A similar product should be used when mounting the tank to keep dust out of the car, as previously stated. You do not want to drive on a dirt road with out it...I promise. You can get aftermarket gas gauges that operate in the ohm range of your new sending unit. Another possibility would be adapting a stock Ford gauge to your original cluster.
Hey guys another quick update. I drilled a hole in the filler neck, and welded in an air line fitting I had sitting around, and then ran my vent tube out into the fender. This is temporary, I'm gonna relocate the vent line. I'm still looking for a gas cap to the fit the 66 Mustang filler neck that is sealed (non-vented cap). Heres a couple pics of the vent fitting (note, I'm a horrible welder, so please excuse the really crappy weld around the fitting!) And finally, heres a video of her running again! I cut off the old single exhaust pipe which was rusted to hell. Its running open at the pipe that ties both manifolds together under the engine. Also sorry for the crappy video, I had just filled up the radiator, and got a facefull of rusty water off the fan when I revved it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXGf_58Rys8
Heres some better pictures of the vent fitting Forgot to mention, I've put about 30 miles on the car since the tank yesterday and today, and she drives like a champion! Its really amazing how well preserved this thing is after sitting in the desert for 40 years.
I'm curious in a response to this question also. I'm needing a new tank for a 55 chieftain and was looking at belair repos. I know i would have to relocate the filler kneck at least, but other than that does anybody know if they bolt up?
You may have issues sending gas tanks via UPS, or Fedex. I bought a tank years ago for my Lincoln, and the shipping companies said that they would not send the tank. Finally got Greyhound of all people to ship for $50. But they required that a special coating be swished around inside to prevent gas fumes. The coating has a really weird smell, but it worked.
The tri 5 tanks mount the same as the Pontiac. The filler neck is where the problem is. Also the tank is a bit smaller.
Does this apply to the Chieftain as well? Looking for a replacement tank and the belair looks the same except for the filler neck which can be moved. I'm just curious if it bolts up the same?
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