Fuel tank leaking

[Bowtie4004x4]

 Does anyone have any thoughts or experiances with the poly fuel tanks? I was working on hanging exhaust on my '80 today when I noticed moisture on the bottom of the fuel tank, thinking it could have been from a mudpuddle or something I wiped it off. The leak got bigger This tank is only a couple years old, and the other tank has been rusted out for a long time. My '78 has a leak as well up by the sending unit. Just wondered about the poly tank as the '80 will be running over brush and thru the tree's while cutting wood this winter. Might save the tank if it could flex a bit when I run over a stump

[DnStClr]

JMO, but if you can get a steel tank for $100 and a plastic one for $140, the steel tank looks like a better buy- 40% better. Both will have the tank shield below and both can suffer off-road damage. For longer life you can coat the tank with a spray undercoating.

[Captkaos]

No experience with them, but most people complain about the steel prices on tanks, they freak out when they price a plastic one.

[Bowtie4004x4]

 $129 vs. $114 at Whitney. for 15 bucks difference how much undercoat could I buy?  This last one seemed to have rusted from the inside out lots of rusty water came out of the tank. It sat for a couple years with no bed on it. My guess would be the previous tank changer didn't get the rubber "O" ring under the sending unit in right or tore it.

[Redneckchevy]

Iv used plastic and iv used the steel..i like the plastic alot better..today's plastics are very strong.

[Captkaos]

If that is all they are now, shouldn't be to bad.

[Dave Kay]

Hey now, I'm thinking of a replacement fuel tank and am considering the plastic MTS tanks. (http://www.mtscompany.com/) Haven't contacted the company as yet and there doesn't appear to any FAQ's on their site, so am wondering if anyone has actually installed one of their tanks.


Can I use my original mounts and straps? How about original sending unit? Stock lockring & gasket?

Assuming these tanks will use the original mounts, would I still need to use the so-called anti-squeak material, or just something to keep the metal from wearing into the plastic? Any opinions on these things, pro or con?

[DnStClr]

yes, $129 to $115 is so close in price you gotta go plastic. MTS tanks are sold at JC Whitney. That anti-squeak mat'l is a strip of rubber. Should be easily gotten at a hardware store, no?

[Bowtie4004x4]

 Ordered the Poly tank today from whitney. I was thinking Inner tube for the anti-squeak material... I'm a cheapo  I'll take some pic's when I get it of the install and let ya know how it goes.
 out of three trucks sporting four fuel tanks I had zero good ones  What's a guy gotta to to get a break? lol

[Dave Kay]

Yep, I'm leaning toward the MTS tank because they look to be about the best around, check out this article:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbuild/129_0409_1992_ford_f150_gas_tank_hitch_replacement/index.html

Good luck Bowtie on your tank R&R, I'll be looking forward to hearing how the thing fits up and all...

[comp]

is the plastic safer in a wreak ??

[Captkaos]

The tank would be the least of my worries in a wreck.  Especially if you are referening to the bogus exploding tank lie....

[comp]

The tank would be the least of my worries in a wreck.  Especially if you are referening to the bogus exploding tank lie....

i have a truck that is rusty enough any side hit will be into the tank

[Bowtie4004x4]

 They make fuel cell's from plastic, the one I ordered (haven't seen it yet) is supposed to be 1/4 thick plastic and one piece design that supposedly eliminates seam splits/cracks. Given and old rusty seamed steel tank, and a seamless no rust plastic one , I'll take the plastic. It's actually not plastic but I can't spell pollypropowhatever lol. ( I guess that's plasic too just a higher grade or something)

[Skunksmash]

I'm still looking for a tank that has enough baffles in it so the needle will be somewhere even close to accurate...

My needle just waves around wildly (as all these trucks do) as if i did'nt need to know what my fuel level actually was. Sometimes GM is not so smart. But i guess the same is true for all automakers.