bladder in gas tank

[Richard C.]

What years did they start putting bladders in the gas tanks? And why?

[Clem Z.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

What years did they start putting bladders in the gas tanks? And why?

when i don't know,why the safety ****es

[Ken A.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

The why was called "lawsuits" from GM pick up trucks & Pinto/Mustang fires.

[James G.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

My wife's 1977 has a bladder, and I think this was the first year. It was a result of Ford PINTO fire lawsuits in rear end collisions. I think 78 and 79 models also had bladders. Maybe all the way until 82.

[Mike M.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

I believe the first year to use the bladder was 1975. I bought a '75 from the original owner who had a issues with the engine dying at inopportune moments. Not long after, Chevrolet issued a recall notice concerning bladder issues. He had the work performed and his problems went away.

[Scott M.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

I believe it was '75 as well, my '76 has one and as already mentioned it was for safety reasons.

[Gary R.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

75 is correct, I removed them from ours already.

[Joe L.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

What years did they start putting bladders in the gas tanks? And why?

Richard------


Fuel tanks with separate, replaceable bladders were first used for the 1975 model year and continued through the 1977 model year. For 1978-82 Corvette fuel tanks used an integral, formed-in-place, non-replaceable bladder. The same type of tank was also used for 1984-96.

By the way, the 1978-82 tank at 24 gallons capacity was the largest standard fuel tank ever used in a Corvette.

[Gary R.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

Joe,
I never attempted to mount a 78+ tank in a 75-77 do you know if it would fit? The 6 extra gallons is appealing.

[Joe L.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

Joe,
I never attempted to mount a 78+ tank in a 75-77 do you know if it would fit? The 6 extra gallons is appealing.

Gary------


I don't think it will, but it's possible. The rear decks of the 75-77 were different than the 78-82. The 75-77 was "flat". The 1978-82 was raised more as part of the "fastback" design. I think the raised deck allowed for the larger fuel tank.

Also, I don't think the location of the filler would be exactly the same for 75-77 versus 78-82.

[Duke W.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

The C2 fuel tank is in a very exposed position sitting atop the frame with nothing but a thin fiberglass bulkhead between the tank and cockpit.

A hard rear end hit can rupture the tank, break the bulkhead, flood the cockpit with fuel, and rapidly consume the inhabitants in flame.

The first million dollar lawsuit win against an automotive company involved a '63 Corvette back in the mid-sixties that was rapidly consumed in flame after a hard rear end collision, and it is a case study in some law schools.

C2s are probably relatively more "unsafe" than Pintos, because, at least in the case of Pintos, the fire starts UNDER the car, giving the occupants a little time to evacuate or be rescued, but given that the frequency of Corvettes is one percent of Pintos, a lot more Pintos were consumed in flame, and that's what you heard about.

Keep and eye on your mirrors and don't get yourself into a position to get whacked by a non-passenger car vehicle like a truck of SUV, whose bumpers will override the Corvette bumper.

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

The C2 fuel tank is in a very exposed position sitting atop the frame with nothing but a thin fiberglass bulkhead between the tank and cockpit.

A hard rear end hit can rupture the tank, break the bulkhead, flood the cockpit with fuel, and rapidly consume the inhabitants in flame.

The first million dollar lawsuit win against an automotive company involved a '63 Corvette back in the mid-sixties that was rapidly consumed in flame after a hard rear end collision, and it is a case study in some law schools.

C2s are probably relatively more "unsafe" than Pintos, because, at least in the case of Pintos, the fire starts UNDER the car, giving the occupants a little time to evacuate or be rescued, but given that the frequency of Corvettes is one percent of Pintos, a lot more Pintos were consumed in flame, and that's what you heard about.

Keep and eye on your mirrors and don't get yourself into a position to get whacked by a non-passenger car vehicle like a truck of SUV, whose bumpers will override the Corvette bumper.

Duke

i believe that the floor of the pinto trunk was the top of the fuel tank so it was not outside the car

[Terry M.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

Clem, the floor of the trunk is the top of the gas tank on a Pinto. I hit one that turned in front of me (fortunately I was driving a Chevelle) and it ripped the whole back of the car from the rear suspension and body. Minimal fuel spill in this case, but I was fortunate to be driving a body-on-frame vehicle. Tough like nails.

[Duke W.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

I don't understand what your describing. Wasn't the fuel tank strapped underneath the floorpan of the unibody - like a Vega.

Duke

[John H.]

Re: bladder in gas tank

I don't understand what your describing. Wasn't the fuel tank strapped underneath the floorpan of the unibody - like a Vega.

Duke

Duke -

No, it wasn't - the trunk floor was the top of the fuel tank; that's why there were so many lawsuits for negligent design.