Rusty Fuel Tank Tab Repair

Thought I'd throw up this picture of a stainless ring I designed and had fabricated as a repair for fuel tanks with rusty tabs. It's for my '96 Riv, but is shown on a spare '97 tank with good tabs I used to match up dimensions. I'll remove the remainder of the tabs and then pop rivet this ring in place. I plan to do this over the weekend and will post up whether a success or failure.

Ken,u designed this?.Now that's cool.

Necessity is the mother of invention! That and I'm an engineer. Hopefully it will work. I don't have a good reason to think that it won't.

It'll work I think,but it looks nice.

Cool!

Ken that IS cool! A great solution to a frequently encountered problem. If you feel like making several of these you will be able to sell them!

make more please!!!

I have several flat blanks to form. As soon as I successfully install the one I have, I'll start cranking more out.

Yo Cuz. For a noob who hasn't had the misfortune of dealing with this yet... You made the part that you are attaching to the tank, but where did the locking ring come from? It looks new. And I am assuming it just slips over the top of the sending unit and twists onto the new piece you made, right?

You can get a locking ring from any GM parts counter. I think it's $10 or so.

The ring I got is from Advance Auto. If I'm not mistaken it's made by spectrum.

Is it for a '97 Riv? Or is it for a Park Avenue or something else?

Finally had a little break in the weather. Here's done, no more fuel smell!!

I will do a write up on this and will start to make some ring kits.

Ken I will need one of these when you get them ready, this is a nice car I have with only 69000 miles.
I can't believe how much rust is on the tank, it has started to leak when full.
Please contact me @ MOcarGuy@ aol.com

I hear ya, Bob, my car is a '96 that just turned 70kmi, so right with you! I will keep you posted when I make more.

Ken, I just took out the fuel pump assembly from my 95 riv SC. and the lower ring is not even in existences. Practically rusted away and no tabs left. I sure like what you did with your dilemma and would love to do the same to mine...have you a tab ring available that I could purchase?
also let me know how I can attach the ring to the tank and what tools I would need. Thank you very much, I am inspired and hope has returned.

Peter, I just sent you a response to your PM. I'll let you know when I have an additional ring!

Peter, I just check the UPS tracking number and your ring should be arriving today. Please take care in making sure there are no spark hazards when you are installing! Photos with written descriptions and my phone number are included.

Peter is concerned as his fuel pump has moved up out of position and some of the crap that collects around the pump has probably fallen into the tank. His plan is to drain it, run a supply of fresh air through the fill spout to dry it and drive out as much fumes as possible, and vacuum the tank out. I'd be concerned about using a vacuum to draw residual fumes through the vacuum motor brushes.

Anyone else done an in-car tank clean out successfully?

I would drop the tank if he was going to vacuum it out. Vacuums can cause static, and any spark mixed with gas vapors is just a bad idea. There's a reason we use compressors over vacuums to clean out computers.

Ken when do you think you might have a ring for me, I do not drive the car till I can fix because gas has splashed out.
You can contact mw @ mocarguy@aol.com
Thank You,
Bob

Ken, can you help me out, I'm afraid to drive this old car. I see you sent out one how soon do you think you will one available for me? I sure would appreciate it. Could you e-mail me @ mocarguy@aol.com

Bob,

I need to make some more blanks and get them formed up. The blanks I have to go to a supplier to get, the forming I can do myself. I got an email from Peter that his installation went well!

I'll keep you informed. I need to figure out a price as I'm pulling the money out of my pocket. I'm not planning to make a living on these, but at least offset my costs.

Thanks.

Thanks for the reply, I was hoping I wasn,t dreaming. As you know replacing the tank is a nightmare even if I could find one. So as soon as you come up a price and a ring just let me know so I can get back on the road.
Thanks Again,
Bob

Hello. I am having the same problem but with an Aurora. The setup is the same so I would think this would fit and work the same. I am very interested when you have some made up this is genius.

Hi Guys,

Working on more now.....