Re: today was unique, good, bad and unusual....

Posted by BH On 2014/6/9 8:45:53

The lead must have been withdrawn from the terne-plate process about 20 years ago. When I got back in the dealer parts biz about 10 years ago, I was astonished at how many late model cars came into the shop needing the fuel tank replaced; many of those vehicles were much less than ten years old.

I'm still driving a 98 Monte Carlo that I bought new (a miserable POS), but it must be one of the few surviving examples around here that still has it's original tank. However, it's gonna need one soon. There's not a speck of plating left, and the metal is crispy. I also recently fabricated and replaced the twisted mess of a fuel feed line; the return line probably isn't far behind

Ten years ago, GM was asking $600 for a new fuel tank for that model, motivating customers to seek an aftermarket replacement. An aftermarket tank, made in Canada, was available for less than half that price. Virtually identical to OE, those aftermarket tanks have proven to be more durable.

If you're not driving your Packard over snow-covered, salt-treated roads (and give the spring rain enough time to flush that schitt off the roads) and store your car over a dry floor, you probably don't need to do a thing to the modern zinc-tin coating. If you're still worried about rust, you could - rather than painting the tank - have it (and perhaps the underbody) oiled, periodically, but be prepared for a lotta dripping.

Although I've not seen one of Kanter's new 1951-56 fuel tanks in person, the online images seem to indicate a reasonable facsimile of original. While there are some minor differences in details (likely due to some modern approaches to manufacturing), it looks like they should install, fit and function as original.