Replace fuel tank or not

[Jim C.]

In course of restoring my '63 I am looking at my fuel tank. It appears to be original , has a nice patina and is completely functional.
I've considered replacing it for judging purposes but I really enjoy keeping as many original functional parts as part of the cars heritage. It was a top flight at the 2007 nationals.
The question I have is if I intend to sell the car at some point is there any value in putting in a new tank ?
I know it's a subjective question but thought I'd ask nonetheless.

[Bill M.]

Re: Replace fuel tank or not

Jim
I did a 66 and 67 restoration in the last 10 years. both tanks appeared original and showed no signs of corrosion inside or out. Use a scope to check inside. I pressurized the the tanks to 5 or 10 psi and went around them at the seems and contact points at straps and supports with windex no bubbles so I reused both tanks. To me original or not would not affect my opinion of the car.
Bill

[Mike T.]

Re: Replace fuel tank or not

Jim - I've got two midyear Coupes and both are California cars. The original tank in the 65 started kicking out very small rust particles about 8 years ago, small enough to pass through the inline filter and that made the 327 run crappy. That one got a replacement tank. The original tank in the 66 is still in there and no corrosion problems. If you have no driveability issues being caused by the Ni-terne(sp?) coating going away and exposing bare steel which will rust, then no need to replace it.

[Joe L.]

Re: Replace fuel tank or not

In course of restoring my '63 I am looking at my fuel tank. It appears to be original , has a nice patina and is completely functional.
I've considered replacing it for judging purposes but I really enjoy keeping as many original functional parts as part of the cars heritage. It was a top flight at the 2007 nationals.
The question I have is if I intend to sell the car at some point is there any value in putting in a new tank ?
I know it's a subjective question but thought I'd ask nonetheless.

Jim------


The only reason to replace a 1963-E1969 fuel tank is corrosion, leaks, or significant physical damage to the tank. If the tank is free of these problems, there's absolutely no need to replace it. However, if it does have any of these problems, replacement is the only way to go. Beyond the consideration of originality is the consideration of safety. In my mind, safety trumps originality. A fuel tank is a definite SAFETY-RELATED component. 1963-74 Corvettes are HIGHLY "safety-compromised" with respect to issues involving the fuel tank even when everything is in as-new condition. Most of us didn't realize that back in the old days, otherwise we might not have bought the car.

There is one additional reason for fuel tank replacement for L1969-74 Corvettes (or 1963-E1969 with replacement GM fuel tanks). These tanks have an integral pressure/vacuum valve. This valve is not repairable and I know of no source for a replacement valve. Even if one were available, removing the old valve and soldering in a new one would be highly hazardous. When this valve fails and starts to leak, replacement of the tank is the only option.

[Larry M.]

Re: Replace fuel tank or not

In course of restoring my '63 I am looking at my fuel tank. It appears to be original , has a nice patina and is completely functional.
I've considered replacing it for judging purposes but I really enjoy keeping as many original functional parts as part of the cars heritage. It was a top flight at the 2007 nationals.
The question I have is if I intend to sell the car at some point is there any value in putting in a new tank ?
I know it's a subjective question but thought I'd ask nonetheless.

If the tank is in overall excellent condition, then let it be. However, the Quanta OLAnderson logo reproduction gas tanks are about as original/exact as the original one that came on your car from St Louis. Installing it will have no negative effect on value of your car. You can even stencil in the part number if you want to go that far. Reuse the existing straps and sending unit.

I replaced the gas tank on my lo-mile 1967 car a few years ago with the Quanta tank due to minor exterior corrosion on parts of the original. Also, I retrieved the tank sticker at the same time, as it was becoming more and more brittle and illegible.

Larry