Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Gas Tanks (Read 2413 times) previous topic - next topic

Gas Tanks

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.
2002 Honda Civic EX

1984 Ford Thunderbird Elan
5.0 CFI, T5, Dual Exhaust

Gas Tanks

Reply #1 –
Rockauto?
93 Festiva L, 193k miles, BP+T/G25MR swap, T3 50trim .48/.42, SRT FMIC, Capri electronics/Rocketchip, 2.5" exhaust
bests: ET 12.86, MPH 110.25, 1.92 short
02 Subaru Impreza WRX, 129k miles
97 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, 236k miles

Gas Tanks

Reply #2 –
Salvage yard?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gas Tanks

Reply #3 –
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...
2002 Honda Civic EX

1984 Ford Thunderbird Elan
5.0 CFI, T5, Dual Exhaust

Gas Tanks

Reply #4 –
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.).
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gas Tanks

Reply #5 –
How do people have gas tanks spring a leak? I've never had any car I've owned have the tank leak.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Gas Tanks

Reply #6 –
Generally from the filler tube grommet or the two seals up top,although I have seen one (in pictures) that was rusted through.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gas Tanks

Reply #7 –
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.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

Gas Tanks

Reply #8 –
Quote from: thunderjet302;308282
How do people have gas tanks spring a leak? I've never had any car I've owned have the tank leak.


If it was an older car... Chances are, it probably was replaced before you bought it. ;)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

Gas Tanks

Reply #9 –
Quote from: thunderjet302;308282
How do people have gas tanks spring a leak? I've never had any car I've owned have the tank leak.


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 ;)

Gas Tanks

Reply #10 –
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.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Gas Tanks

Reply #11 –
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.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Gas Tanks

Reply #12 –
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.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Gas Tanks

Reply #13 –
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.


86' T/C 4.6L DOHC
16' Chebby Cruze 1.4L Turbo
17’ Peterbilt 389 600hp 1850ftlb Trq 18spd

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

“Heavy Metal Mistress”
[/COLOR][/SIZE]

Gas Tanks

Reply #14 –
can you tell me what size the filler tube is? My 83 bird needs a new one.