So, I need a new gas tank, mine has a small leak. I have a question though...what's with the prices?
Advance Auto has one for 180 http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Fuel-Tank-Spectra-Premium_18320075-P_1296_R|GRPFUE2AMS_753219320___
Ebay has one for 87- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/83-84-FORD-THUNDERBIRD-GAS-FUEL-TANK-NIB-OE-STYLE-NEW_W0QQitemZ250510965953QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a539dfcc1
And another for 141- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Replacement-Gas-Tank-Ford-Thunderbird-84_W0QQitemZ280429927240QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item414aed1b48
What's the difference between all of them? Also, that third one doesn't look correct...but it's probably just a stock photo.
Rockauto?
Salvage yard?
Rock Auto is more expensive than the one one ebay...
I'd rather buy something new than get one from a yard, though that probably would be the cheapest. Hmmm...
From the salvage yard,if it's nice inside the tank,and no rust issues outside,why not?You'll need to buy the seals and grommets anyway,and here,they run about $20.00 for a tank.I got one a few months ago for mine.Zero issues,cheap,and a few bucks left for other things (I was assembling the engine at that time.).
How do people have gas tanks spring a leak? I've never had any car I've owned have the tank leak.
Generally from the filler tube grommet or the two seals up top,although I have seen one (in pictures) that was rusted through.
They rust from the top down, and at the top side of the seam. salt gets in there and you can't really get it out. I'm on my 2nd tank in the cougar.. In fact most of my vehicles have always had at least 2-3 tanks in them through their lifetime. Oil pans do the same around here. I'm always good for at least 2 of those per vehicle. I'm on the 2nd one of those in my cougar too.
If it was an older car... Chances are, it probably was replaced before you bought it. ;)
On my 79 Ranchero I finally replaced the sending unit after having no gass gauge for 2 years only to lower it back down to the floor and spring a pinhole leak (which though it sounds small leaks an aweful lot of gas).
I bought one of the el cheapo $87 ebay tanks a good long while ago and then bought some por15 and painted it up. I'd like to see that one rust ;)
The only reason i swapped my tank was because the baffle welds came apart.Other than that,it looked new inside,and the outside actually looked great as well.You guys need to come down here for parts like that.The control arms I pulled look awesome....after 22 years.The rear sway bar still has a near gloss black factory finish on it.Sweetness.
A used southern tank is likely a better buy than a new aftermarket one. The factory tanks are better made (thicker, better protected metal). I'm on the second tank in the T-Bird, myself - I had to replace it (and rebuild the pump hanger, the top of it was rusted through) about 5 years ago. And this is a low mileage, no rust, only ever exposed to salt one month (and that was after the new tank) car. Like Jerry said, the moisture gets up there and stays.
My 88 T-bird is from California so the tank looks like new. I've had 4 daily drivers since I've had the 88 and none of them needed a gas tank or oil pan. They salt like crazy here and I've never had a rust through problem.
My 93' Tempo currently has a leak some where above the seam line. I need to get off my backside and replace it. But the whole car in general is beginning to look like a certain cougar that been brought to life and about ready to be painted. The putt putt has spent all of it's early years parked on a street as there was never a garage for it.
can you tell me what size the filler tube is? My 83 bird needs a new one.
Where in Oklahoma are you?
Most salvage yards poke holes in the tank to drain them. At least every yard I've been to.
I am on the north side of Grand Lake near Grove. I just purchased a 83 bird with 5.0 and AOD with 38,000 original miles. The fuel tank sending unit was needing replaced and it still didn't work with guage going all over the place. I found out about the instrument regulator and have that in but since I had the tank out 3 times now the filler tube is leaking. It is pretty degraded. I was hopeing someone knew the size so I wouldn't have to pull it out again! just to measure it so I can order a piece. I'll get some pics posted when the weather gets better.