I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm a newbie here, but I've owned my 67 Camaro Convertible (327/275/powerglide) since 1989. I'm the third owner, and it has 110K original miles on it. It's pretty much all original. I drove it through snow, halfway across country, to college and back, and for the last 10 years, maybe 1-2x a week in the summer. I've replaced what needs to be replaced over the years, and do all the work myself. One day, I'll do the whole 9 yards. When I get the money!


My question(s): the tank got rusted out, so last year, I bought a new tank, straps, hardware, pick up, and anti-squeak. I enlisted the help of my buddy who's a real gear head. I don't remember where I bought the stuff, I think the tank came from rock auto, and the straps may have been spectra premium. We put everything back together very carefully, put five gallons of 93 octane fuel in, and started her up. I was back in business. Dirty, but simple.

The following weekend, I filled her up with gas, and headed downtown to a cruise night. About 1/4 mile from the gas station, I hit a mild dip in the road and BAM! The tank fell out. I was in shock.
The straps didn't break, the mounts weren't rusted off, it looks like the loops of the straps hopped right out of the loops -- with 18 gallons of gas in there! The bolts in the tailpan were still connected! Both straps came off the loop and let the tank slide right out.

I was so disgusted, and busy at the time, that I got the gas into another vehicle, towed the Camaro back to my garage, slid the tank under the car, and haven't looked at it since. My gearhead buddy was shocked (and he's one of those really careful, check it three times guys). He figured they had to be the wrong kind of straps, but I don't know. He read a tech article somewhere that said you not only hang the straps on the loops, but you're supposed to drill a sheet metal screw through them to keep this kind of thing from happening. My old, OEM straps didn't have any such thing.

Any ideas what could have happened? I'm just glad I didn't end up in a giant fireball. I'm starting to think about trying again, but this time, I'm going to do my homework.

Was that really a question??

Thanks
Tom

 

no it was a a story... but either way it involved a camaro so im happy...

I have no clue, as i have never dealt with gen 1 cars, even though i want one.

Welcome to the forums, and im sorry it happened.

 

Thanks, Bud.

Anyone have any experience replacing a tank? Sheet metal screw or no in the loop? What brand of straps do you recommend?
Thanks
T

 

I'm going to be dropping my gas tank soon to replace the sending unit. I have a '69 Camaro convertible. I'll take some pics of my straps and put them up for you.

 

If the bolts were fully tightened it wont have any way it can raise up and drop out. Sounds to me like the straps are wrong, or you didn't get the bolts tight enough.

 

+1 w/71BB427......straps weren't bolted in tight enough. Sometimes gearheads make mistakes....we just don't like to admit it. A gallon is equal to 8.3 lbs so 18 gallons added 150 lbs to the weight of the tank. Given your description of hitting a mild dip....and then "Bam" the tank fell out there had to have been some play in there. Now, maybe your buddy is right, maybe they are the wrong straps, but if they were it seems that would have been evident after you installed the tank by simply testing how much, if any, play there was.

In any case, glad nobody got hurt and that tanks generally aren't that hard to install. As for installing a sheet metal screw....well I've dropped my tank a couple of times over the last 25 years or so and never required one. I'm not saying that people don't do it, just saying I've never done it and I've never had a tank drop-out.

Hope it all works out and your back on the road soon.

 

 

Ok im a newbie a very new newbie im 15 got my first car its a 1989 camaro rs 305. I am having to replace the fuel tank sending unit but the cheapest i found was 170.00 dollars. I need some help for a quick fix.
This is my dream car!
thanks i appreciate it.
Camaro<3

 

I am i newbie im 15 and i own a 1989 camaros rs. I am needing the fuel sending unit replaced but i cant afford it right now any ideas for a quick fix or somewhere to find a cheap one?
Thanks