My '64's gas tank fell out again!

Discussion in 'General Ranchero Help' started by Blanco, Feb 13, 2014.

  1. Blanco

    Blanco In Overdrive

    Messages:
    512
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I think it was close to 2 years ago that the rear strap holding the fuel tank fell off one side after I filled it with fuel. :eek:

    Anyways being on the side of the road I simply used a ratchet strap to hold it in place & forgot about it.

    Well on my way to work yesterday day the rear ( ratchet strap ) fell off & was dragging.

    So I pulled over & Mickey moused it enough to drive back home.
    To drive my Bronco to work instead.

    It's not the straps that are the problem, it's the sheet metal tearing away from where the straps hold.
    I understand this is a 50 year old car. & these things will happen.

    But have any of you had this issue?
    & what's the best way to repair it & reinforce it so it foes not happen again?

    I 'll post pictures soon.
     
  2. 72GTVA

    72GTVA Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    9,863
    Location:
    Chesapeake, VA
    Yes, a picture would be helpful...

    I had a similar issue in Hawaii with Bluefish - and the corrosion that caused the slot in the frame rail also wiped out the strap. Once I got serious about fixing it I made up a replacement section out of 1/8" steel, cut out the bad section of the frame rail and welded the new section in. My solution was overkill but I won't have to worry about in the future.
     
  3. Blanco

    Blanco In Overdrive

    Messages:
    512
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Well, over kill is good. :)

    While here at work I only have this picture of the ratchet strap holding it in.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. sgtfixit

    sgtfixit In Third Gear

    Messages:
    113
    Location:
    Central Coast CA
    tank strap fix?

    Have seen this before...a 1x1 brace welded in between the frame rails and attached the tank straps to the brace solved the issue.

    mike
     
  5. DonC

    DonC In Maximum Overdrive SILVER MEMBER

    Messages:
    4,434
    Location:
    Gonzales Louisiana
    Why do anything that ratchet strap is a stylish fix. On a more serious note you can fix it like 72 GTVA did, using 16 gauge would be plenty strong. I don't see any other good way except cut out the old and put in some new metal.
     
  6. Huevos

    Huevos In Maximum Overdrive

    Messages:
    3,434
    Location:
    Nor Cal
    I like the Quick Drop Tank feature, Dont fighter Jets use that before engaging the enemy?
     
  7. burninbush

    burninbush In Maximum Overdrive

    Messages:
    8,512
    Location:
    near SF

    Maybe in theory, but given we have no enemies that fly airplanes, not so much dogfighting lately. I believe the current thinking is to blow them up at long range, literally over the horizon.
     
  8. Ranchero Richard

    Ranchero Richard SITE SUPPORTER- GOLD

    Messages:
    511
    Location:
    Claremore, Ok
    Possibly be able to use the drop tank feature if a Elky pulled up beside you, loosing a hundred pounds of fuel would help coming
    off the line
     
  9. ribald1

    ribald1 Banned PLATINUM MEMBER

    Messages:
    19,727
    Location:
    California
    It is my understanding that that feature is to get the fuel out of the plane when it makes an emergency landing to reduce fire danger.

    It would be helpful in the Ranchero if a "Dukes of hazard" jump went wrong.
     
  10. ribald1

    ribald1 Banned PLATINUM MEMBER

    Messages:
    19,727
    Location:
    California
    The Iranian's don't fly planes! :eek:
    Nor the Chicoms?

    When our military finds out, boy will they be embarrassed!
     
  11. davis

    davis In Maximum Overdrive

    Messages:
    1,873
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    geez, wish i still had my extra tank straps, i'd found a good home for em.
     
  12. Blanco

    Blanco In Overdrive

    Messages:
    512
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Heres some picture of the bent & twisted & ripped metal that holds the gas tank.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    As you can see this is on the fill tube side.
    [​IMG]

    That square hole is not suppose to be square, it should look like the hole to the right of it.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. Blanco

    Blanco In Overdrive

    Messages:
    512
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    I had included more pictures but this site don't allow me to post more than 5 pictures & I've always hated that about this site!
    I suppose it to increase their post count?

    Maybe I'll post more later.
     
  14. 72GTVA

    72GTVA Administrator Staff Member

    Messages:
    9,863
    Location:
    Chesapeake, VA
    No, it is to keep the posts of manageable size - based on older servers...

    You have three or more options -

    - Locate a donor and replace the damaged structure

    - Fab up some patches and weld them in...

    - Fab up some brackets and bolt them in - might require a little imagination but you can do it pretty easily.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 16, 2014
  15. As Is '66

    As Is '66 2 Wheeled Mod Staff Member

    Messages:
    6,075
    Location:
    Southwest Georgia
    Wow!!!
    I`m glad the tank didn`t fall out whilst running down the road...
    Good Luck,
    AC/DC
     
  16. Blanco

    Blanco In Overdrive

    Messages:
    512
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Actually both times I was driving & both times I heard the scraping sound of it hangs & the strap dragging.
    The 1st time I was lucky, I just got off the fwy.
    Luckily the front strap held from completely falling out .
    It was hanging there ready to be left behind. & maybe explode?!?!

    As popular as this site is maybe it's time to move to newer severs ?
    I'm not gonna get into that again but I know all about these forums & how to run them & etc etc...

    Anyways, the tank is back in, we repaired what was wrong by hammering it back into shape. & welding it up in few places to reinforce it.
    1st thing I did was fill the tank. & it's seems to be holding.

    I 'll post a limited amount of pictures later.
    Being I'm at work right now.

    I just happened to come visit the site & saw these replies, normally I get a e-mail notice, but for some reason did not?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 28, 2014
  17. T16592

    T16592 In Overdrive PLATINUM MEMBER

    Messages:
    613
    This thread made me look at my 1965 gas tank. Lucky all is well :D
    Also, let me know if you need some pictures of the original mounts, tank or straps. :D
     
  18. Blanco

    Blanco In Overdrive

    Messages:
    512
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Sure post the pictures, but mines already back in. :D
     

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