1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I am using a tank like the one shown in the attached pic in the 1957 Corvette Race Car I am restoring. I was planning on routing the gas spill overflow to the same area it is on the regular car and using one of the fittings to vent the tank to the same area. Then i happened to look at this pic that seems to have the overfill pan connected to the two fittings on either side of the top of the tank, which would vent fumes from the tank, but also route rain and anything else into the tank. This couldn't be, so what am I not seeing here?

Thanks,

Bob

PS: This is probably a Mike Ernst question.

[David B.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

Believe the photo! It is 1 of several taken at the GM Tech Center on a '61. Other photos showed installation of the Off Road Exhaust System. Tank installation was first developed and installed on the 4 Corvettes for 1956 Sebring. Traded a similar fiberglass tank to Mike Ernst for his Lemans car. Installation also shown on Chev. Layout print.

[John F.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

I don't think you would have a problem with rain into the tank.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

I didn't realize the C1s had that big of a tank from the factory, I had thought they were 24 gallons.

[Mike E.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

I didn't realize the C1s had that big of a tank from the factory, I had thought they were 24 gallons.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

OK, thanks, now I understand these tanks were not the factory assembly line units.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

Years ago there was a 62 in the Portland Oregon area with the large tank. It also had a chrome roll bar with what looked like a GM part number stamped into it. I have no idea if any of this was built by GM. It was a FI car. It was long ago, should have looked to see what it had for brakes also. The owner drove it like a daily driver. Well on nice days any way, that's a big caveat in Portland.

[Loren L.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

The WO for the 37 gallon tanks in 1960 was issued in February and called for six (6) tanks from L-53433. Metal inserts for the tanks were to be supplied by Mr. Edmonds of the Plastic Shop. Finished tanks were to be delivered to Walt Zetye of Research & Development. Initially 2 each were issued to the Cunningham and Camoradi entries at 1960 Sebring. A fifth tank would go to the later Cunningham car which would replace the fire-destroyed Camoradi car at Le Mans. An unverified rumor places the 6th tank as delivered to Delmo Johnson for installation in his 1959 for the Sebring race. Whereabouts of the Johnson/Morgan '59 is currently unknown (at least to me).

[Michael J.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

I find it fascinating that they had a metal tank, and ones with metal inserts, long before they went into production on the N03 options for the C2s. I really wish they had made those tanks metal or with metal inserts, as it is annoying to keep picking fiberglas pieces out of the blocked fuel pumps.......

[Loren L.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

In the 50th anniversary year of the 1960 Sebring/Le Mans races, the fiberglass tank developed a leak on the driver's side, which had always had brass plugs because Camoradi never used the double line hook-up. Hardtop off, rollbar out, tank out, brass fitting removed, fiberglass repaired; install tank, rollbar and fuel; passenger side line hookup leak appears; repeat removals, repeat patch with fitting, prayer, re-install. Repeat prayers each and every time you remember.

[Tom P.]

Re: 1961-62 37-Gallon Tank Question

Many people here know John Neas, in Tulsa.
He has an honest, genuine 56 Sebring car which has one of the metal 37gal tanks. It is a very unique car which was modified by Chevrolet specifically for 56 Sebring.


I built this engine. It is a very early, std bore 56 265.















And this is his restored 56 SR1----------which MANY people mistakenly confuse with the 56 Sebring cars (modified by Chevrolet in Jan 56) and the SR1 cars, which were built on the St. Louis Corvette production line. The 56 SR1 cars (maybe 6 built) were optional, production cars (built May 56)-------------NOT modified cars. They did have some features which were very similar to the MODIFIED Sebring cars.