Vintage_barry Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 I have questionable gas tank for a 57 Buick Special that I would like to replace. Is there any options/replacements with other models or manufactures? What to do! Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any help. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Have a competent person cut the top out to get access to sand bast, de-rust, or patch as needed. Weld 'er back up and away you go. It is the easiest and best method.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 (edited) BARRY, all models of 1957 Buick use the same tank (maybe '58 too?). However, no other GM car that year has the same middle-of-the-bumper filler arrangement, so Olds and Cadillac tanks won't work even though the bodies are shared. There's been some discussion on these Forums of aftermarket tank manufacturers being able to fabricate something that fits. But getting the filler neck and gauge sending unit right is bound to be complicated and, besides, the tank just wouldn't look right from the rear.If you can't find a good used one, I suggest you just take your old tank apart and fix what's wrong, then get the whole thing re-galvanized. Even at a shop that's qualified to do that, it could be cheaper and would be better than ordering a custom tank.I'm looking to do the same job for my Buick. The bottom of the tank is so porous, the fuel evaporates away over time, without ever dripping on the floor. That's a huge fire hazard, which is why I don't put much gas in the car, the rare times that I run it.Ditto what Bernie says. Edited March 20, 2013 by Rob McDonald we overlapped emails (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GARY F Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 you can try classic car auto parts. 218-326-0463. i got a new one from them for my 63 bonne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest seeya2 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 like gary said classic auto parts .com or try a place in Monticello iowa called tanks inc I think they make them or gearhead enterprises in Hudson iowa I think they distribute them but not for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
421-6speed Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 (edited) I tried to find a aftermarket tank that would work and after much resurch purchased a 59-60 Impala tank. I had to make a few alterations to get the tank in and in the long run it was just to long at 27-3/4" http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=172/category_id=124/home_id=-1/mode=prod/prd172.htm compared to the 57' Buick tank that is 25-1/2" long and has the drivers side corner cut off at about a 45* angle to fit the exhaust. I just sent my tank out to be reconditioned by Gas Tank Renu. They said it would be a 5-day turnaround once the got the tank and the cost would be 375.00-425.00. I figured for that price and it was right it was a go. The closest Gas Tank Renu to me was Stockton, CA. Gas Tank Renu called after receiving the tank and said not a problem fixing my tank and the cost would be 375.00. I was happy. Well they called yesterday and told me that after sandblasting my tank could be fixed but it would be unethical to do so as it had about 20,000 holes in it. Damn Well I just bought another 57' Century parts car so hopefully that tank will be good enough to recondition. So I guess the gest of my story is I agree with the rest of the folks here, if your original tank can be repaired that is the best bet and there are several places on the East Coast that preform this service. I will say this in case anyone is interested. I did ask Gas Tank Renu if they would cut my 59-60 Impala tank down to 25-1/2" and cut the corner off to match the 57' Buick and they would perform those tasks and then recondition for the same price and I may end up doing that if I can not find a good original to recondition.Berry, On another note I will be picking up the Century by this weekend at the latest and will let you know.Thanks Dan Edited December 18, 2013 by 421-6speed (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Sometimes a franchise doesn't get you a competent person. An APW affiliate, radiator shop, and "oh we'll do gas tanks, too" is not the place I would look for a fabricator. A patch panel with stiffening beads rolled in can make short work of 20,000 holes. Were they going to smear solder all over to seal it? Take those boys a rusty Bentley tank with about a dozen chambers inside. They'd get a real case of the stutters.Find a fabricator. They will fix it.Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob McDonald Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 I just had my spare gas tank boiled out and tested. A small rust repair was required next to the fuel hose fitting. $120 all up. It doesn't look any different but I'm confident it will now do its simple job. Hope to install it this weekend and maybe fire up the engine - for the first time this century. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
421-6speed Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Sometimes a franchise doesn't get you a competent person. An APW affiliate, radiator shop, and "oh we'll do gas tanks, too" is not the place I would look for a fabricator. A patch panel with stiffening beads rolled in can make short work of 20,000 holes. Were they going to smear solder all over to seal it? Take those boys a rusty Bentley tank with about a dozen chambers inside. They'd get a real case of the stutters.Find a fabricator. They will fix it.BernieI bought another parts car with a good tank today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage_barry Posted December 19, 2013 Author Share Posted December 19, 2013 Dan, Let me know on the condition of the gas tank on the Century. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
421-6speed Posted December 19, 2013 Share Posted December 19, 2013 Dan, Let me know on the condition of the gas tank on the Century. BarryPM Sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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