56-62 "too large" gas tank

[Mike E.]

My post of about a month ago received mixed responses---some had seen no problems, others had shared my inability to get the tank to fit adequately.
Let me share my further experience:
I was able to get it to fit!!! There were two problems:
1) I allowed the straps with the lower pins that fit in the underbody mounts to mislocate themselves--the pins weren't within the bracket.
2) I compared the original and reproduction very carefully. As a result of that comparison, I beat on the seam where the straps fit front and rear to get the seam folded up closer to the body of the tank, and I beat on the corners and bent them down so they would clear the rear shelf. The tank now fits fine.
So, it was a combination of a not-quite-perfect reproduction combined with operator error.
Thanks for your input, guys---thought I'd close the loop!
Mike

[Mark B.]

Re: 56-62 "too large" gas tank

Mike, When I went to replace my first gas tank in my 59 last year, I ordered the two tar paper strips that go on the fiberglass bottom of the gas tank compartment. I found them to be too sticky and not very forgiving when trying to slide the tank into the compartment. Sooooooo, my wife suggested that I discard the tar strips and use brown or black felt glued to the high ridges molded into the bottom of the tank compartment. What the heck, I figured that has to be alot easier, although not concours correct. And, who's going to see it? Voila! The idea worked like a charm. Not only did the tank slide in easy, but the felt acts as a very good noise insulator.

[Larry P.]

Re: 56-62 "too large" gas tank

Yes,
The corners need to be bent to get it to slide in. The only way I could get the straps to fit was to use longer bolts and pull them down and then change the bolts. You want to install the filler tube with the rubber hose connected and tight on the filler tube side before installing the tank. After the tank is in slide the hose on and tighten the tank side.
LP

[Gary Bishop]

Re: 56-62 "too large" gas tank

Thanks Mike. If you could not get it to fit I pity a rookie like me. I wonder if the manufacturer will correct the situation or at least send a note to be aware of the possible situation.

[Terry D.]

Re: 56-62 "too large" gas tank

Mike

Thanks for the update. I will try your remedies.

Terry

[Dennis A.]

Re: 56-62 "too large" gas tank

Larry...

Good to see you are at a point of your restoration that you can start giving back.

Dennis

[Larry P.]

Re: 56-62 "too large" gas tank

Dennis,
Interior is ordered from Knoch and I expect to be cruzing before the end of April. I would be lost without the help I've received here. I have many to thank and will offer what I can to help others. We all run into differant problems and come up with some pretty unique solutions. I have documented a few,
not to the extent that you have, but I will share what I've learned.
Thanks again,
Larry