Need gas tank for 71T

[Paul Schooley]

What do you fellas like for a gas tank for a 71T? Is repro a good choice and who do you recommend to buy from? What's a fair price for quality? Mine's leaking somewhere and at it's age I'm thinking straight up replacement with a new fuel pump, fuel lines and sender. Any advice appreciated.

[John Z Goriup]

Paul,

read your post with interest. Just yesterday I picked up a late model Carrera tank from one the Bay Area dismantlers for $ 300.00. As you can see from the photos it's in very good condition. It will fit in your '71 perfectly while giving you significantly more driving range (20 + gallons, I've made it from the house to L.A. without refueling, approx 375 to 400 miles depending on the route I chose).

The only downside I can see is the expense of aquiring a space-saver wheel /tire assembly. A steel wheel space saver (heavy) goes for $ 50.00 from the same place. Forged aluminum 944 Turbo space saver spares (as shown in the photo bvelow of my car) which are a LOT lighter can be had for $225.00 to $275.00, .....when available.

I got this for a friend who is having a local shop create a through-the-hood filler arrangement on his 911. The larger flat area on top of the tank, made possible by the smaller spare tire diameter, makes it a lot easier to locate the vertical 4" diameter fill pipe and weld it to the tank in the proper place.

I 've been told by others that repro tanks do not fit as well as OEM and that the welding and general craftsmanship are simlpy not up to early 911standards. I went through this when I built my car a couple of years ago and chose the route of a used OEM tank....glad I did.

JZG

[Paul Schooley]

Thanks for the heads up John...and great to hear from ya. Guess it's time to start surfing ebay again.

[Neunelfer]

I have the same tank John has in my 71T. I used a Fuchs 15 and a space-saver. Very happy with that decision. I think I got it out of Pano a few years back for $50.00 plus shipping... under $100.00.

I think the only issue I had was the charcoal filter element. If I recall, it had to be moved slightly.

The later tank will give you a longer range which is good with the engine I have.

[Paul Schooley]

Does anyone know if there's any issues using a 72T tank? I have one of those along with the spacesaver from my parts car but was suspicious it might be a bugger to fit.
sidenote: My car is just a driver so period, concours correct is not an issue whatsoever.

[berettafan]

Bought a repro 2nd hand and it works fine.

[gsjohnson]

Does anyone know if there's any issues using a 72T tank? I have one of those along with the spacesaver from my parts car but was suspicious it might be a bugger to fit.
sidenote: My car is just a driver so period, concours correct is not an issue whatsoever.

I have a late model tank in my 72T with a Fuchs and space saver. The only mod required was the relocation of the charcoal cannister which was easy.

[Neunelfer]

Agree. It would probably be easier as you wouldn't have to find the different tank attachments. Go with the 72.

[gsjohnson]

Here's a pic of my 72T with the late fuel tank.

[Paul Schooley]

Ok, I yanked out my 72T tank today. It was kinda bubbly looking (from parts car that sat in an open field for 10 years ) so I took a scraper to it thinking I was going to poke thru the tank wall, especially around the seams...and from what I see it looks ok. What's the reccomended procedure to prepare this tank? Send it to the local dood that does them I suppose? I'd prefer to scrape all that Wurth-type stuff off it at home and wire brush it clean before sending it out or does hot tanking remove all the crud anyways? Never dealt with this before. On my old Harleys I would just clean it and roll that tank sealant inside.