MBL Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 Well yesterday I pulled the tank and it looks to be in pretty bad shape. I was thinking of trying to repair it but it might make sense to just replace. Is there a tank that can be used cheaply? Plastic? The prices at Kanter are ridiculous. Here is a case where I feel that the supplier is making it impractical for people to keep their car as original as possible. $650.00 is just stupid. I have noticed that there is someone on Ebay that sells brand new tanks for about $150.00. Pretty cheap. In addition it seems that the tank in the 1957 T-Bird is similar. Just has the outlet on the wrong side. Everything else seems about right. I think I will write him and see if he has tanks for Packard and if not what the dimentions are of the T-Bird tank. Also if it is possible to change the side of the fill. If anyone has any other ideas let me know. ThanksTimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlK Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 try Mike dulinski. Not all used tanks are bad. A lot of them are repairableThere is also an outfit in Calif. that advertises in Hemmings. I just bought a tank for my Dodge Dart for $180.00. $650??? Thats just plain taking advantage of the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 Cool... well I will check that. I sent that guy and email. We'll see what he says. Also there is a universal gas sending unit on Ebay for about $20.00 It looks to be something that can be used fairly easilly. And again... CHEAP. I don't think I want to pay $145.00 for a coat hanger and a wire.... Thats just me.TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 5 years ago or so i took my 56 Packard tank dimensions with me over to a local 'country' jusnk yard. There, they remove all gas tanks (by law) before crushing. I looked thru their big pile of gas tanks and found one quite similar to the 56 packard tank. Filler neck required a bit of re routing using large fuel hose that is also common on man cars. The tank fits and works just fine. I just dont know what kind of car it came out of. SO, find a junk yard that does car crushing and go look around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 Clarification needed:The $650 gas tank is NOS?????? about 5 years ago I called Kanter and he quoted me about $250 for a used tank that 'Might have a little rust in it'. But said NOTHING about having NOS. I'm guessing that if he NOW has 'new' tanks they r probably not NOS but rather repops??????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 Here, take a look.http://www.kanter.com/packard/pac-556.htmlTimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 ok. so its actualy a REBUILT gas tank. What he is probably doing is cutting off the bottom half that is usually the rustiest and replacing it with a TOP half from anothe tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 For that much money!?!?!? I don't think so. Its funny because the top of mine is the rusty part. The bottom is fine. I guess its from a leaky trunk or something.TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Brown Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 Tim: The reason the top is rusty is that water in the fuel tank condenses on the INSIDE top of the gas tank. It then rusts through. That's why some people advise a full tank of gas at all times so there won't be room for condensation. But I have problems with that idea because of stale gas. My tank was sent to one of those professional rebuilders and fully lined with some fancy plastic stuff. There are people in the car books who do that and some in local markets I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 13, 2003 Author Share Posted January 13, 2003 Well once I get the measurements on that 57 T-bird tank I may be doing a little welding on that. I think I can simply weld the fill tube from my tank on to it. Look on ebay to see this tank. I think it can be found by typing in 1957 gas tank or maybe fuel tank. TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO Posted January 13, 2003 Share Posted January 13, 2003 Keith (packardv8@juno.com <packardv8@juno.com>) can maybe tell you what tank will fit as his Executive does not have a Packard tank on it and he has been driving it for years. See my posting on the other thread about gas tanks and getting them renued. I paid over $300 (shipping 800 miles each way, too) for each of my tanks and while one has done ok after 5-6 years, I still had to clean the baked-on sealer out of the vent tube and had to slightly pry the end of the pickup tube inside the tank off the bottom. The other tank, I am convinced the pickup tube was partially blocked and I saw no apparent way to ream it out safely. So that is when I went to an adapter in the drain plug and then just put a filter at the back of the car I can watch. So far after about 5-6 years, that is working ok. Must be VERY careful if getting one of these tanks refurbished. Unless it is really just terrible, a local radiator shop should be able to patch it and after cleaned, just run it with a good transparent filter at the back you change out until it starts running clean. I had to change mine on the Clipper Super as often as 200-300 miles for awhile but now it stays clean much longer. Problems with gas tanks on Packards, I have been there and done that one time too many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Randy Berger Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 Brian, you're correct - the gas tank is the same from 51-56. I took mine up to a radiator shop and almost gave him cardiac arrest as he saw me walking up the driveway. He boiled it out and brazed up several pinholes for me and then I bought a can of sealer (alcohol resistant) from Hirsch. I sealed that tank three times - made sure the pickup wasn't plugged and it's been going fine for over ten years. Ron Siegal's Dad put a Ford sending unit in his 55 400 - it fit just fine and the resistance was the same as Packards. I don't know what year Ford, whether truck or car?? He paid ten bucks for it back in 92.YFAM, Randy Berger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 Back in August, Ebay had some new production sending units. The email address is AtwaterkentAKMFG@aol.com <AtwaterkentAKMFG@aol.com>. Ask for Tom. They weer $45. They are out of Auburn, Ma. I think it is. One year warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 We take our fuel tanks to the radiator shop, have them boiled out and tested, they almost always have rust, especially at the top. We then cut a piece out of the rusted top area large enough for us to actually see inside the tank. Then we sandblast the inside of the tank thoroughly, clean it again, then replace the steel window we cut originally. Drastic but it works. We've had nothing but bad experiences with gas tank sealers, even used over metal cleaned in the manner I've just described. In 1995 we used the newest alcohol resistant liner in the tank of a '28 Autocar. Tank is behind the seat and easy to look down into. Now, 7 years later, the sealer is peeling away from the tank like sunburn from a baby's nose. Haven't used the newest polyurethane sealers but I suspect they are nothing more than epoxy paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 I can relate to the gas tank sealer PEELING. I see where Randy used the white sealer from Hirsch and I did as well, first on my '54 Kaiser Special and today it is "ok" although I had one instance about 2 years after sealing of sealer peeling and reaching my front filter. Then last summer the line again became plugged with a chunk of the stuff back at the back where I have now mounted a transparent filter to monitor it. This car sees nothing but 93 octane Amoco or Conoco gas. But, there are still a few on this chat room that will remember the sever problems I had a few years ago with the '53 Clipper and the '55 Patrician which lead me to NOT seal the Clipper Super when I acquired it. The REAL reason I had to have the two gas tabks renued with the baked on sealer is because at about 6 months after sealing the two tanks (one was a few months after the other, the white stuff started flaking off and plugging the line. I went by all the instructions, even let the stuff dry an extra couple or three days. Once the stuff started peeling, I had no may to remove it myself and that is when I went by the advice of some folks to get the tanks professionally done.....wasn't very professional in my opinion. Now while Randy's car seems to be ok and my first sealed car is doing "ok" I have heard of other cases by Studebaker folks of the white sealer flaking and peeling off and plugging lines. So I can definetly relate to Restorer 32 on the peeling sealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 see my post 1965PackardV12 (a.k.a PackardV8) which is 4th from the top in this thread. Best thing to do is go to a junk yard that crushes cars. They will have a LARGE PILE of 'late model' gas tanks. Find one in the pile that is close. thats what i did 5 years ago or more and it works FINE!!! i even used the existing sending unit that came with the junk yard tank altho it does lie just a little but i can live with that...its close enuf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 14, 2003 Author Share Posted January 14, 2003 I think I will check the junkyard this weekend. We'll see what I can find. Can't hurt. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 14, 2003 Author Share Posted January 14, 2003 The tank doesn't seem to be a very oddball shape of configuration. Fill in the back left side. Kinda flat. I'll figure something.TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 why not a PLASTIC repop tank ????? i had a 1980 dodge picup with plastic tank and NO problems. Hey! i'd give $200 for a plastic tank as long as it fit GOOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 14, 2003 Author Share Posted January 14, 2003 Ok I got the dimentions of the 57 T-bird tank. They were actually on the ad and I didn't see them. The tank is 28 7/8" by 22 1/8" and 8 3/4" deep. I don't have my tank in front of me where I can measure it. Does anyone know what the dimemtions are on the tank in question.ThanksTim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 i have a tank from 56 Packard Executive i can measure tonite. Send me a reminder about 5 pm tonite. It shouldnt take me over 10 minutes to measure it. Its just trying to REMEmBER to do it <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> . <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> PackardV8@Juno.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 14, 2003 Author Share Posted January 14, 2003 I should be able to check mine as well tonight. Thanks though. What a mess. But at least my car troubles have increased volume on the board. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 14, 2003 Share Posted January 14, 2003 car Problems???? Bring'em ON!!!! thats why we all read and post to this forum. If the T-bird tank will work then thats one of the grandest discoveries we could have!!! Making all of our (i suppose mostly yours in this case) research worth the effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 15, 2003 Author Share Posted January 15, 2003 Measurements of the T-bird tank are a tad larger than the measurements of the original Pac tank. The length is 28 7/8" and only about 22 1/2 wide. Depth about the same. I measured about 27 and change for the length of the Pac tank. and about 26 wide. It might just work. Now the 55-57 chevy tank is closer and has the fill in the right place. But it only is 16 gallons.Any thoughts?TimMBL P.S. Hey 1965Packardv12... did you get a chance to measure your tank? I did mine but its always a good idea to get a second opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 Well by god I'D USE the 55-57 chevy tank !!!!!! if its that close! Who cares if its only 16 gal. that will get u about 180 to 200 miles before running dry.Some of those cowboys outwest might need the 20 gal for sure but i'd say anywhere east of the Mississippi the 16 gal is certainly adequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 i didnt get to measure it last nite. Will if u think its still needed. MY VOTE is for the 55-57 Chevy tank if its close enuf!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 15, 2003 Author Share Posted January 15, 2003 Sure if you don't mind. I am wondering if they measure only the tank or the lip where it is welded together.TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
56clipper Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 If the '57 Chevy gas tank is one that can be used, I just found a site that sells brand new ones for that and numerous other GM, Ford, and Chrysler cars. The cost of a new tank for almost all of these cars is $168, which sounds pretty good to me. I look forward to your findings, because I need to do something about my rustbucket tank! Look at this link for the tank listings. Gas Tank Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 15, 2003 Author Share Posted January 15, 2003 There is another that is cheaper and this guy that has them on Ebay is really cheap too. I will let you know what I find. My biggest problem is with the filler tube.TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 ok, i'll measure it this afternoon and report back tonite. However, my nite time computer does not always work well with this new AACA set up. PackardV8@Juno.com do u know of Packards that have actually had the 55-7 chev tank installed?????????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 it might be befificial to call or e-mail 'The Gas tank Page' hyperlinked above with the Packard tank dimensions and a pic to see what they have or know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Albert Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 I will bring in my extra 54 gas tank and check tonight the sizes if that helps and take a few photos with the digital camers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 15, 2003 Author Share Posted January 15, 2003 Cool Beans!TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 15, 2003 Share Posted January 15, 2003 ok, bring my spare 56 Executive tank in tonite too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_PackardV8 Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 Subject: 1956 Packard Executive gasoline tank.26.75 inches square. 8.5 inches deep. filler spout 5.25 inches from centre of entry into the tank to outside edge of pinch weld flange at rear of tank. All measurements are +/- .25 inch. Which ought to be close enuf for rap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 16, 2003 Author Share Posted January 16, 2003 So it is actually square? Hmmm. Ok. Well I mearsured mine half tilted and in my trunk with a flashlight and a drunk friend. So let that be a lesson to you. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Now my filler attatches on the bottom half of the tank. Is that at all wierd? I would think it should be at the to half. Well either way. Those measurements come closer to the 1957 Chevy tank. Almost the same. There is one on ebay that shows the dimentions to be 25 1/4"X 25" and 8 1/4" deep. I think I saw another that gives it as 26 and change. I can't seem to find it now. I think this tank will work. Now it does seem strange that the Packard tank has a capasity of 20 gal and the Chevy only 16 gal with only a slight dif in size. Does this seem right to everyone else?TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 Filler tube on the left on the Chevy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 16, 2003 Author Share Posted January 16, 2003 Yes it is. If any of you want to take a look at what I am seeing there are several on Ebay right now. Just enter "1957 gas tank" and take a look. The Packard tank is a 20 gal, right?TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCraigH Posted January 16, 2003 Share Posted January 16, 2003 Re: capacity: Yup, Packard is 20 Gal. Another thing to consider on this swap are the detents for the retaining straps. If they are not in the same place on the 1957 Chevy (or whatever), then this might present a problem.Maybe you can find some car buddy locally who has a used tank for a 1955-57 Chev laying around his/her garage. Since yours is out (it is isn't it?), cart it over there for a side-by-side comparison. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBL Posted January 16, 2003 Author Share Posted January 16, 2003 That thought had crossed my mind.TimMBL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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