|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
01-10-2013, 04:45 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Arkansas & Alaska
Posts: 642
|
Reproduction fuel tank
I don't need one but just wondered if there is a source for new fuel tanks. Seems like someone ought to be making them somewhere.
|
01-10-2013, 04:58 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: moorhead minnesota
Posts: 166
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Gold Digger, Like most things this has been discussed here before.Apparently the tooling to do this would not be cost effective, so no one has done it. Maybe someone some day will make a plastic reproduction if the market warrants it. I doubt if most guys would want a plastic one anyway. There still are originals available now and then if you watch the swap sight. Frank
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
01-10-2013, 05:07 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Rocklin, CA
Posts: 1,219
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
I understand it is the liability that is the problem with making the tank that sits in your lap.
|
01-10-2013, 09:47 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,485
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Quote:
As opposed to the reproduction one that you sit on (such as 'one would buy for a Model-T), --or like one found on a motorcycle?? . . |
|
01-10-2013, 10:58 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
I found my STICK, again,
If it was "ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE" some company COULD build a totally correct, authentic Model A, in the most sought after body style! Only problem, when finished, it would be OBSOLETE! Bill W.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
01-10-2013, 11:29 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
How much would you pay for a "perfect" reproduction gas tank It's made with a lot of parts (for a gas tank)---complex stampings in metal that is thicker than most gas tanks --fancy cast and machined fittings, many mounting holes and flanges that that HAVE to be in the correct place ---- How much would you pay??? --would you buy one at 1500$ |
01-11-2013, 11:13 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 119
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
There has to be somebody who knows somebody who knows a guy that can stamp these things out in limited quantities where a liability release could be signed if needed, for under a million bucks. Maybe a group buy thing. Example, there was this company that made a billet aluminum oil pan for a motorcyle. They stopped making it. Someone found an old one. They found a shop to reproduce it on a CNC machine. The shop said buy X many and the price goes considerably down. So they did.
Now. Where's that guy for the tanks? |
01-11-2013, 12:12 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northeast Penna
Posts: 2,108
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
According to some of the Model A history books, the gas tank was one of the most complex stampings / assemblies in the entire vehicle.
Or maybe Jay Leno can crank-out gas tanks with his "3-D Printer" ? |
01-11-2013, 12:48 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ridgefield, Ct
Posts: 3,439
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Step up and pay $250.00 or LESS for an ORIGINAL, why look for a problem were there isn't one? Bob....................If you are REAL smart cut the top off every crappy A tank you can find and swap it with MONEY to a Hot Rodder that plans to cut up a useable stock A tank.
__________________
They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical. |
01-11-2013, 12:51 PM | #10 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,485
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Quote:
Speaking as someone who has seen more than just a few of these from the inside, I can tell you there is quite a bit of subtile differences in all the different tanks. If you had to tool up to cover all of the different ones, it would likely take about the same amount was what the winning proceeds from the Powerball lottery payout would be!! We can repair a stock Model-A gas tank and make it as good as new with just one exception. I cannot affordably coat the inside of the tank with a metalized product such as Terne or Galvanize that would offer assurance that future fuels would be impervious. My only option is to use a non-catalyzed coating to seal the tank. If someone wants to figure out a process to coat the inside for a lifetime, I have figured out how to restore the inside where existing tanks can be refurbished. No need to re-invent the wheel by reproducing the whole tank IMHO. . |
|
01-11-2013, 01:03 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 416
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
and no matter who repros the tank, it still would not fit as an original.....just saying; compare all the other repro parts out there against originals.... all are not quite the same as originals.....
|
01-11-2013, 01:49 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 908
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
I have thought about this for awhile and my ideal would be to just reproduce the tank bottom instead of the entire tank. Most defective tanks that I have ever seen have holes and heavy rust in the bottom while the top is perfect. A competent certified welder could weld the new bottom to the top. By making just the bottom piece I think the liability insurance would be less, the manufacturing would be way less, and the tank would actually fit the cowl. In this case less would be more in my opinion.
|
01-11-2013, 01:58 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Eastern Tennessee
Posts: 11,485
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
"All" is a pretty broad statement considering there are some items that have been reproduced that are as original. I think it is more about who is doing the manufacturing.
|
01-11-2013, 03:33 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 730
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
In this brave new world the next BIG thing is 3-D printing for the home user. This technology that uses AutoCAD software interfacing with a 3-D printer you so you can build your own plastic prototype pieces. Companies like LEGO are getting concerned that all you will have to do soon is buy one of their pieces and then you could duplicate this part exactly time and time again. There goes their profitable market..... It is similar to what happened to the Music Industry with everyone pirating their MP3 music files for their IPODs.
This technology is making rapid advances in doing parts now in powdered metal instead of plastic. It is already being used in knee replacement ball and sockets. Future space missions will not take a tool box but a 3-D printer and the software for making every part used in their craft.. So in the near future some home hobbiest with one of these 3-D printers will start to make his own Motormeters, shifter forks, etc... So we just have to wait for the fuel tank...... |
01-11-2013, 03:48 PM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 868
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Quote:
But what if you could download 3D libraries containing printing commands for every part in a Ford Fiesta, or a Ford Model A? Just find your part and print it. The repro part manufactures would sell libraries instead of physical parts. Download a gas tank library and print.
__________________
Ray White |
|
01-11-2013, 03:55 PM | #16 | |
Senior Member
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Quote:
In my opinion.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
|
01-11-2013, 04:19 PM | #17 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Venice, FL
Posts: 89
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
My Prius has an expandable bladder instead of a tank. I think it would be possible to use something like this inside the original tank.
__________________
1929 Model A 1992 Galant VR4 474/1000 2007 Prius 54mpg |
01-11-2013, 04:56 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southbridge, Ma.
Posts: 1,614
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
|
01-11-2013, 05:47 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
|
01-12-2013, 04:32 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South pacific island
Posts: 1,724
|
Re: Reproduction fuel tank
Making a repro' bottom of the tank seems like a good idea if you can make it fairly universal fit, as is selling a repro' top of the tank without the bottom ( & someone like me would buy both pieces and fit them together).
Does anyone actually own a 3d printer? i thought those cost as much as a CNC lathe thing (priced in $millions). Might work if the gauge face was enclosed as part of the bladder. 2 openings for potential leaks then though.
__________________
<Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|