Re: [Classic Mustang] 1968 Mustang Gas tank reinforcement

Good point...

 

The thing to remember is that these are in some cases 40+ year old cars.  But the gas tank remained in the same place up through 2004 (not sure about the latest)  You might have something about the rear fill as well.  The biggest difference is that the Fox bodies and up had the tank outside the passenger compartment. 

 

The proper solution here is a fuel cell.  The bladder would do much more to keep the gas in the tank than a separation plate or other sheet metal.  But that would be a huge deviation from stock and mounting could be an issue. 

 

My oldest son was rear ended by someone in a late 90's caviler while he was driving his '67 coupe.  Minor hood and grille damage to the Caviler, totaled the '67.  Both quarters creased and of course, a ruptured gas tank.

 

At the end of the day, they are what they are.  I would cringe at the though of being involved in an accident in a Model "A" today.  Very bad for you, no doubt, but again, you are driving an 80 year old car.  Engineering and technology has come along way. 

 

Driving defensively is a huge help, but you can do little when stopped at a light and someone 3 cars back starts a chain reaction.  (been there in a '65 coupe...)

 

Is it possible to make the car safe, yes.  Do you want to?  That is an individual question.  As it has been pointed out, there are many dangers lurking in the car from the factory.  How safe you want to make it is up to you.

 

 

 

 

Mahalo!!

 

Jim Ohrt

----- Original Message -----

From: jn136

To: classicmustang@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Monday, October 27, 2008 8:10 PM

Subject: Re: [Classic Mustang] 1968 Mustang Gas tank reinforcement

First, let me say I agree with Bill.

Center fueled cars were especially dangerous in rear end collisions.
The tank filler pipe was a part of the problem, it often was driven
into the fuel tank, much like a can opener. Add to the "can opener"
problem, our mustangs have the muffler mounted just in front of the
fuel tank (between the tank and the rear axle.

Years ago, I made a metal shield, (fierwall) behind the rear seat. I
reinstalled the cardboard behind it so it doesn't show in the trunk.
Realize it wouldn't keep some fuel from sloshing forward; however,
think it would give a little more time to exit the car.

I do think the tank cover is a great safety idea. Also thought about
cutting the filler tube near the top and install a longer hose which
might just fold if the filler were pushed forward, just haven't
gotten around to doing that.

Since we have steering wheels with sharp horn bars pointing at your
chest, a solid mounted rear view mirror and other such things, I
don't think we can make our cars absolutely safe by today's
standards, we can help a bit but still take our chances.

Just my $.02 worth,

John
65 Coupe, 220K (currently undergoing radiator repair).

--- In classicmustang@yahoogroups.com, Flick01@... wrote:
>
> I wholeheartedly agree with Bill that $198 is cheap insurance.
Replacing a
> standard tank varies in price from approximately $90 to $140
depending on the
> year. Back when the Pintos were making the news because of gas
leaks in rear end
> collisions I posed this question: Where can you put 12 gallons of
gas in a
> car the size of a Pinto, hit it at 50 mph, and not have the tank
burst open?
> With just a little extra sheet metal to protect you the question
can also be
> applied to Mustangs. If you get hit hard enough in the rear the
metal is going to
> fold and take the tank with it. A guy I know with a 1963 Falcon cut
out the
> top half of his tank and installed a fuel cell. When you look at
the possible
> (and limited) options, weigh it against the laws of physics if you
get smacked
> in the rear at anything above 10 mph, anything you can do to
decrease the
> chance of having a tank rupture is money well spent.
>
>
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