new fuel tank availability / advice? 31 PU

[Kube]

Guys, I'm attempting to get what parts I will need together now for the future assembly.

Are new tanks available for a 31 pickup? If so, quality?

Thank you!

[Ivan in southeast va.]

Sorry, no.

[ModelA29]

I read somewhere that the only Model A part that has not been reproduced is the gas tank.

[Gary WA]

swap meets might give Berts Model A Store A Call? or I see them on this and other sites for sale items.

[alexiskai]

There’s a guy here in NC who has good used tanks, but I think they’re all 28/29.

[Oldbluoval]

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Not available but…..
They can be successfully restored but pricy
Do a search and find Brent’s write up of the correct (and IMHO the only successful) method of tank resto.

[Kube]

Thanks guys. I have a tank to work with. However, I do consider my labor and as such figured a new tank would be cheaper in my way of thinking.

Looks like I'll be restoring the tank I have.
Much obliged to you all.

[ModelA29]

I'm surprised that no one has come up with a replacement stainless steel tank that would hide within both 28-29 & 30-31 tanks. Would hold 8-9 gallons - cut your old tank apart remove baffles - install new tank - tack old tank back together. You could also blow mold a poly tank in and use foam as the baffling.
You could also create one that just used the external cowl and probably would hold more if you didn't care about keeping the A look under the dash.

[California Travieso]

On a pickup you can put an aftermarket tank in the bed or under the bed with a low pressure pump. On a roadster you can put an aftermarket tank in the trunk. There are also aftermarket 32 style tanks for Model A’s that go in the rear between the frame.

With all the changes guys make on Model A’s these days it really doesn’t matter unless you’re going for an all original look or intend to get it judged.

David Serrano

[ModelA29]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

.... There are also aftermarket 32 style tanks for Model A’s that go in the rear between the frame.

I hadn't thought of that. I intend to drive our car to the New Mexico MAFCA meet next year. I may add one just for the range increase. I'd add an electric fuel pump from 32 tank to refill the stock A tank.



https://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/p...rod/prd780.htm

[Bob from Northport]

I have a 30-31 tank wrapped up on a shelf in my shop I bought it at Hershey years ago. I will check it. I know it was good. Bought it just on case I needed for a customer.

[Oldbluoval]

Models 29….
Liability is why no one makes them. Bad design, bad location….
Ralph Nader would be aghast!

[dansluck]

My 31 has an early 30 gas tank that uses the 29 style dash plate. Works for me but you will want to check that. Good Luck
Dan

[Vic in E-TN]

Kube:
I think that I have a 30-31 tank in my barn. I recall that it has a dent in the top. I can look in the barn tomorrow or Sunday to see what I have


Vic

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

I'm surprised that no one has come up with a replacement stainless steel tank that would hide within both 28-29 & 30-31 tanks. Would hold 8-9 gallons - cut your old tank apart remove baffles - install new tank - tack old tank back together. You could also blow mold a poly tank in and use foam as the baffling.
You could also create one that just used the external cowl and probably would hold more if you didn't care about keeping the A look under the dash.

Truthfully, from my perspective if someone is going to the troubles of cutting open a tank and installing a poly tank, and then reassembling that tank without burning the inner poly tank during the welding procedure, I would think someone could properly restore the tank and then use a good and have a tank that would likely last longer than the poly tank would.

It really is not that hard to cut one open and correctly restore it. The issue is it is very time consuming, ...and it seems that many are looking for an easy way out.

[rotorwrench]

A tank would have to be modified for hidden fasteners to put it back together when using a tank within a tank and sealing the quantity indicator flange makes things a lot more complicated. I think Ford used something like twelve different forming actions on the 1928/29 tanks to make the two halves and the upper firewall part. Then there were the riveting operations for the steering column clamp and the outlet bung. The top bung and the quantity bung were next. They used their roller seem welders to mate the two halves. After all that then it was terne plated inside to help seal it. The 1930/31 tank might be just a wee bit simpler to manufacture but not by much. If anyone tooled up for all those operations, the tanks would likely be very expensive to purchase. They were part of the structure of the model A and heavy gauge steel was used for most of it.

I'd say that this is likely why no one has ever attempted to make these little jewels. A person would think twice before shelling out 2,500 bucks for a new fuel tank.

[Keith True]

A tank company rep from Canada was visiting part stores around here years ago.He said the Model A tank question was very common,not just here,but around the world.He said liability was a zero issue,they make thousands of different tank designs,no special liability for any.He did say that the A tank involves a precision fit,with a shape that has to be perfect.He said they're not body panel makers,they make a product that fits the spot the old one came out of, and warped panels,crooked seams,etc.are not a problem.He said the precision needed to fit the cowl,the instrument panel,filler under the windshield was more than the wanted to tackle.Their tool and die man said if you can show me a market for 2500 of these things I will work up a proposal for a manufacturing process.

[Kube]

I plan on removing the tank, acid bathing it, cutting it open, blasting the inside, welding it shut and sealing.
Shouldn't be a difficult task, just time consuming.

Is there a baffle inside?

[Oldbluoval]

Is there a baffle inside?

Several….do a search..several pics of open tanks with configurations

[Phil Brown]

Not particularly hard but time-consuming
This one needed a fair amount of work