Fuel Tank Detail

[Tom L.]

Regarding a '70, I have four questions related to the fuel tank.

1) Does anyone make the small tower clamps for the vent line? I threw my old line out, with the clamp on it, assuming that the clamps were still available and now I can't find a replacement. (lesson learned)
2) What glue should I use for the anti-squeak strips?
3) The Quanta anti-squeak strips seem much thinner than the originals. Are they okay to use?
4) What is the best way to refinish the filler neck? I would imagine that they were originally plated with something to avoid rust.

Thanks again.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Tom,

From my experience last year,

1. Doc Rebuild?
2. I tried weatherstrip cement, and that didn't work.
3. I bought strips from Dr. Rebuild, which were very, very nice. Thick, just like originals. The ones for the top of the tank, though, are a waste of time. They just won't stay in place, even with adhesive.
4. I had the filler neck refinished in zinc plating. I suspect they "may" have been galvanized originally, but the zinc looked great especially since I asked for it "dull" to match the original patina.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

1) I don't know
2) The ones on my 1970 are not glued in.
3) I don't know
4) My guess is the fuel filler neck was originally tin plated, just like the dip stick tube.

[Joe T.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

My recollection was that my '69 anti-squeak were not glued or otherwise attached. I also seem to remember them as being like felt roofing paper that is sticky on its own? My tank is coming down shortly, so I will update this post (if I remember)
Joe

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Regarding a '70, I have four questions related to the fuel tank.

1) Does anyone make the small tower clamps for the vent line? I threw my old line out, with the clamp on it, assuming that the clamps were still available and now I can't find a replacement. (lesson learned)
2) What glue should I use for the anti-squeak strips?
3) The Quanta anti-squeak strips seem much thinner than the originals. Are they okay to use?
4) What is the best way to refinish the filler neck? I would imagine that they were originally plated with something to avoid rust.

Thanks again.

Tom-----


1) I believe that Dr. Rebuild has the tower clamps you seek. At least, they once had them;

2) The original anti-squeak pads WERE fastened with an adhesive compound. Whether, or not, after 40 years the "adhesive is still adhesive" is another matter. The adhesive originally used was very similar to 3M Super Weatherstrip Cement and that's what I suggest you use. Keep in mind that the adhesive serves only as an assembly aid. If you choose to not use it no one will ever know the difference. But, you'll have a lot harder time trying to install the tank and supports without displacing the strips;

3) I don't think the thickness of the pads is going to make a whole lot of difference. However, I would expect that the Dr. Rebuild pads are probably more like the originals;

4) As Terry M. mentions, the fuel filler neck was TIN plated. While in some ways similar in appearance to "dull" zinc or cadmium plating, it's not exactly the same.

[Tom L.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Thanks guys. Can anyone make a suggestion for a vendor to tin plate the filler neck?

[Alan S.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Tom,
I've been searching for the tower clamps for a long time. Dr. Rebuild had them at one time but no more. I was able to get some clamps 1 size too large and had some success cutting them down. I used 8-10 clamps to make 4 to replace the ones I couldn't save of my originals.
The first thing I look at when I see a 71 is to check for the clamps on the return line at the fuel pump. I RARELY see them. I think the torque to loosen the screw twists and breaks the band before the screw moves and the clamp goes in the trash and a tiny worm gear clamp goes on. Of course this doesn't matter to anyone but us loonies.
Regards,
Alan

PS: I have a whole roll of roofing felt ( minus 2 strips) you can have, if you come get it. It's the heavier 30 lb felt. Are you sure you won't come get it?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Tom,
I've been searching for the tower clamps for a long time. Dr. Rebuild had them at one time but no more. I was able to get some clamps 1 size too large and had some success cutting them down. I used 8-10 clamps to make 4 to replace the ones I couldn't save of my originals.
The first thing I look at when I see a 71 is to check for the clamps on the return line at the fuel pump. I RARELY see them. I think the torque to loosen the screw twists and breaks the band before the screw moves and the clamp goes in the trash and a tiny worm gear clamp goes on. Of course this doesn't matter to anyone but us loonies.
Regards,
Alan

PS: I have a whole roll of roofing felt ( minus 2 strips) you can have, if you come get it. It's the heavier 30 lb felt. Are you sure you won't come get it?

Alan,

I think the tower clamps were mostly a 70 thing. My 71 and 72 had the green and red spring clamps everywhere - no tower clamps at all. Personally I only recall seeing them on 70s.

Patrick

[Joe T.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Tom,
I've been searching for the tower clamps for a long time. Dr. Rebuild had them at one time but no more. I was able to get some clamps 1 size too large and had some success cutting them down. I used 8-10 clamps to make 4 to replace the ones I couldn't save of my originals.
The first thing I look at when I see a 71 is to check for the clamps on the return line at the fuel pump. I RARELY see them. I think the torque to loosen the screw twists and breaks the band before the screw moves and the clamp goes in the trash and a tiny worm gear clamp goes on. Of course this doesn't matter to anyone but us loonies.
Regards,
Alan

PS: I have a whole roll of roofing felt ( minus 2 strips) you can have, if you come get it. It's the heavier 30 lb felt. Are you sure you won't come get it?

Are you telling me that my recollection was correct or just having some fun with my aging mind!

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Alan,

I think the tower clamps were mostly a 70 thing. My 71 and 72 had the green and red spring clamps everywhere - no tower clamps at all. Personally I only recall seeing them on 70s.

Patrick

Patrick------


Actually, the original fuel system hose clamps on my 1969 were ALL of the spring variety.

It seems strange that they would go from the spring clamps for 1969 to the tower clamps for 1970 and then back again to spring clamps for 71+. As a matter of fact, the 1968-72 AIM's all show the use of spring clamps for all fuel system hose clamps.

Of course, it's possible that the clamps used for 1970 deviated from specification. If so, though, I wonder if this was something that was done for the entire model year or just a smaller number of cars?

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Patrick------


Actually, the original fuel system hose clamps on my 1969 were ALL of the spring variety.

It seems strange that they would go from the spring clamps for 1969 to the tower clamps for 1970 and then back again to spring clamps for 71+. As a matter of fact, the 1968-72 AIM's all show the use of spring clamps for all fuel system hose clamps.

Of course, it's possible that the clamps used for 1970 deviated from specification. If so, though, I wonder if this was something that was done for the entire model year or just a smaller number of cars?

Joe,

Dunno that one.
I just know that I would not generalize it as much as has been noted previously in this thread.

The cheap route is to install the green and red spring clamps and wait to see if the judges note it. If not, it's a freebie.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

I don't think the clamp style changed at the model years.

Don't depend on the configuration of clamps or fasteners in drawings in the AIM -- the shapes in the drawings mean nothing. Check the part numbers, and chart part number changes.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

I don't think the clamp style changed at the model years.

Agreed.

Don't depend on the configuration of clamps or fasteners in drawings in the AIM -- the shapes in the drawings mean nothing. Check the part numbers, and chart part number changes.

Joe Lucia, where are you?



I don't own all the AIMs for 69-72, but possibly Joe could provide any changes.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

I don't think the clamp style changed at the model years.

Don't depend on the configuration of clamps or fasteners in drawings in the AIM -- the shapes in the drawings mean nothing. Check the part numbers, and chart part number changes.

Terry------


That's what I primarily did, although I did it only for the clamps for the 3/8" lines. All 68-72 used the same part number for the 3/8" clamps. The configuration as shown in the AIM's was really secondary information although I've found it to generally be quite accurate.

[Terry M.]

Re: Fuel Tank Detail

Following the part numbers for all the fuel line clamps would be quite a a task, even if restricted to 19698-1972 -- more time than I want to or can spend on the issue. You have my admiration Joe, for all the time you spend selflessly for us.

I was thinking of the radiator clamp changes that are not reflected in the AIM drawings for quite some time when I made the comment about clamp style changes to the drawings. Perhaps those and the changes to fastener head type have made me jaded.