Gas Tank Leak

[Mark J.]

Last night I pulled the spare tire assembly from the car to get at a gas tank leak. I just had a local Corvette shop send the tank out for repairs. Anyway, the subcontractor has either wrapped the tank in fiberglass or just resined the entire tank! Sad, sad, sad. I should have just had the tank replaced...

Now off my soapbox for a question.

It appears my sending unit is leaking from the seals around one or both of the electrical contacts. Since the catalog people want about $175 for a new sending unit, is there a seal kit for these contacts or a sending unit rebuild kit available? I have a whole stack of Corvette vendor catalogs, but none mention rebuild kits. The sending unit works fine otherwise.

Mark

[Mark J.]

1966 Gas Tank Leak

I forgot to mention it's a '66.

[Joe L.]

Re: Gas Tank Leak

Mark-----

I've never heard of such a fuel tank repair. Something like that may be appropriate for a "basket case" fuel tank that was not otherwise replaceable and needed to be salvaged, but not for a small hole in an otherwise sound fuel tank. On the other hand, maybe our "legal system" has somehow influenced the repair methodolgy that repair shops can use and still obtain product liability insurance. Generally, radiator shops that repair fuel tanks weld, braze or solder them. At least, that's what they used to do.

As far as your sending unit goes, try tightening the small nut at the base of the electrical contact. Very often this will cure the leakage problem. Don't "hog it down", though, or you'll ruin it. If that doesn't work, I'd recommend a new GM/Delco sending unit. There is no repair kit that I am aware of for these units. I am certain that no kit or repair parts were ever available from GM/Delco. You can purchase a new Delco sending unit for your car from The Last Detail (www.tld-corvette.com) for $128.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Gas Tank Leak

Mark, there was a similiar thread to yours, dated May 13th below, also for a '66, on what to do about a small leak...many different opinions. But since your tank apparently is roached, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have a NEW tank in place.

I took out the tank on my '67 just to clean it up and it was in good shape, but in the course of doing that, I must have loosened up the electrical contact nuts on the sending unit, although I didn't know it when I poured 2 gallons of gas in the reinstalled tank and it started dripping gas (big time) from the contacts.

As usual I panicked, and put a bucket under to catch the gas, got an adjustable wrench and tightened up the 3 nuts, which were loose, I guess from the jostling around the garage, and ALL the leaks stopped, and that was 4 months ago. Get your new tank and install the sending unit (out of the car) and pour a cup or two of gas in to see it it still leaks. Hopes this helps.

[Mark J.]

The "Frame-On Restoration" continues

Thanks, Joe. Great price from TLD. I ordered one on-line.

Patrick, I agree with replacing the tank. I see Zip Products has a correct reproduction gas tank for $199 including the "A" logo and gaskets. I think I'll go shopping. I'd better hurry before Mr. Greenspan starts affecting my credit card rate...

Mark

p.s.: I replaced the o-ring in my "64 a few years ago, so I can appreciate the "gas, bucket, and kitty litter" exercise!

[Patrick H.]

Gas Tank Source

Mark,

Try Quanta at http://www.quantaproducts.com as they actually hold the contract to reproduce the correct-logo tanks. Their prices are often slightly cheaper, and they have said they "won't be undersold."

They are also some of the nicest people in the hobby.

I have one of their tanks in the 71 and it is great!!!

Patrick Hulst


Quanta

[Mark J.]

Re: Gas Tank Source

I ordered my tank this morning. As it turns out, the vendor I chose is having my tank drop-shipped from Quanta anyway (for a $1 more than Quanta's price). I selected the vendor because they had a part kit in stock that I needed.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Mark

[David Ashburn]

Re: Gas Tank Leak

Mark, You posted a response to my message about a gas tank sending unit leak. Just to update you, I sealed my contacts and rubber ring with #2 permatex. Its been 3 days now and no leaks. Just thought you might like to know. Dave

[Mark J.]

Re: Gas Tank Leak

Thanks, Dave. If I wasn't such a donkey about this, I might have tried the Permatex. But now I'm convinced that tank was incorrectly repaired and plan to yank it out.

Mark