Fuel Tank replacement 73

[Charles P.]

Over the past 6 weeks or so there has been a trickle of what I believed was water that dripped over the driver side rear muffler and onto the floor. That has now turned into a tarry gas residue. In the past I posted about power loss on acceleration that probably was due to contaminants in the tank (rust?). I am now thinking about replacing the tank.

What is a good source for tanks? I was thinking quanta.

They list that it comes with replacement gaskets and O ring. Anything else needed? Thanks.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Your leak may not be the tank. It could the plastic valve that has cracked and is leaking gas as it is right above the drivers side muffler. Their is a reproduction of this part now.

[Charles P.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Your leak may not be the tank. It could the plastic valve that has cracked and is leaking gas as it is right above the drivers side muffler. Their is a reproduction of this part now.

Yes--strangely it started out with water dripping. Has now progressed as I said to oily gas. What is the name of the part/valve and is it shown in the AIM? I'm guessing if I do decide to replace everything then I will need that as well.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

I had a similar leak in my Dad's 72, and it was the black separator that Lyle refers to on the upper left side of the tank. Don't forget to inspect the hoses that connect it.

Patrick

[Michael M.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

If you pull the tank down, and the tank is good, replace all the gaskets, hoses, etc. There is nothing worse that putting the tank back, and then seeping from an old hose. ALl the parts are available, try Dr. Rebuild or Paragon Reproductions.

[Howell J.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Quanta makes reproduction tanks that appears to use the original tooling.

[Charles P.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Okay it appears it may be time to drop and replace the tank, sender etc. As I mentioned some time back I was getting some sediment from the tank that was affecting performance. When I had the car out last after a trip I peered into the tank and the gas looked cloudy. After sitting for a week or so the cloudiness was gone, presumably settled. So I will eliminate the leak and remove all the years of accumulation/rust by replacing the tank. Anyone else have any don't forget to...., before I start. Thanks.

[Howell J.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

The AC Delco fuel gauge senders are still available. Dr Rebuild sells NOS senders and a parts house, rockauto.com, also lists the AC Delco senders. I would guess the parts house AC Delco's qualify as NOS. Of course, Dr Rebuild has all the associated fuel tank hoses.

Things to remember? Remember to sandwich the fuel gauge sender wire between tank and frame before you tighten down the tank!!!!

[Charles P.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Will it be obvious when I take the tank off which way to route the wire? Is this one of these things that if you bolt the tank up and forget to route the wire you have to unbolt it? Thanks for the info on the senders. I have noticed prices all over the board on them. My sender is fine but everyone I have spoken with says scrap it.

[Michael M.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Will it be obvious when I take the tank off which way to route the wire? Is this one of these things that if you bolt the tank up and forget to route the wire you have to unbolt it? Thanks for the info on the senders. I have noticed prices all over the board on them. My sender is fine but everyone I have spoken with says scrap it.

Personally, I don't scrap ANYTHING. If you decide to replace it, I would keep the old one, but thats just me. Why replace it if its working? Its the one thing on the tank you can replace while the tank is in, you would just have to drain it.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

My sender is fine but everyone I have spoken with says scrap it.

Find new friends.

My 71, 72 and the other friends' cars I maintain all still have original senders. One of the cars, a 72, is on his 3rd gas tank but original sender.

You might even get away with just cleaning the tank and not replacing it.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Find new friends.

My 71, 72 and the other friends' cars I maintain all still have original senders. One of the cars, a 72, is on his 3rd gas tank but original sender.

You might even get away with just cleaning the tank and not replacing it.

Patrick

Patrick and Charles-----


One thing that does happen with these senders is that the coating on the plastic float degrades and then the float starts to absorb gasoline and get's "heavy". Then, the float doesn't work properly. I know of no replacement for the floats.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Their is no problem with the sender wire on a 73 it comes from the rear bumper area. Buy new cushions as the old ones usally fall apart. If you have some 240# roll roofing you can cut them yourself. I have used the old sender but buy a new sock filter at your local GM dealer for the fuel pickup. I would replace the tank because the labor is more work to change it later.

[Rich D.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Over the past 6 weeks or so there has been a trickle of what I believed was water that dripped over the driver side rear muffler and onto the floor. That has now turned into a tarry gas residue. In the past I posted about power loss on acceleration that probably was due to contaminants in the tank (rust?). I am now thinking about replacing the tank.

What is a good source for tanks? I was thinking quanta.

They list that it comes with replacement gaskets and O ring. Anything else needed? Thanks.

Hi, Charles. I had a similiar issue with my 70 L48/NA9 convertible, which I believe uses the same gas tank as your 73. After checking the liquid/vapor seperator (that black thing on the left side of the tank) and its related hoses, I finally bit the bullet and dropped the tank.

The problem turned out to be a failed vacuum/pressure relief valve on the tank itself. This is that 1 1/2" disc that's visible just to the left of the filler opening (not visible without removing the tank). The valve was allowing gas to spill from the full or nearly-full tank on hard right turns, and stain the driver's side muffler.

Since the Service Manual states that this valve is not serviceable, I purchased and installed a reproduction tank from Quanta. Problem solved.

Hope this helps.

Rich

[Charles P.]

Re: Fuel Tank replacement 73

Rich--Thanks, I'll feel better if it is that since my new tank from Quanta (via Paragon) just arrived today by UPS. Now I just have to drop the spare and have at it.