Fuel tank?

[NurseLaura]

I'm brand new to this forum. Looks like a great place with tons of info. I'd really appreciate any and all advice that you all can offer.

I've got an '83 280zx. I need to drop the gas tank and either replace or clean it out and replace everything. Is it better to get an aftermarket tank, a used tank, or recycle the one that's on there now? Also is there a place that sells lots of aftermarket stuff for this year and model?

[beandip]

Sence you already have the tank, and if it is not damaged or leaking . Why replace it ? If it is rusty inside order a tank kit from POR-15 and clean it out and coat the inside.

[NurseLaura]

What's POR 15? A member?

[cremmenga]

http://por15.com/ It is rust preventer. Prob the strongest stuff on earth!! i got some on my are about a month and a half ago and there are still little specks of it left!! GREAT stuff i'm doing my whole car in it.

[EScanlon]

.....snip...i got some on my are about a month and a half ago and there are still little specks of it left!! ...snip....

Ok, not to be too picky, but this is either a very Freudian Slip, or.....

Did you mean: arm?

If so, then a healthy scrub with some LAVA soap or Orange GoJo or some other scrubbing type soap SHOULD remove the stuff in a few weeks. A month and a half wait kind of says you are having a very severe and prohibitive water shortage (as in, no showers or hand-washing) or you don't shed skin like the rest and are waiting for molting season.

Did you mean: ear?

If so, then you're REALLY slapping that POR around the place. Try to duck when the droplets fly!

Did you mean: arse?

If so.....well, we don't want ANY pictures........

Just Kidding

E

[Darrel]

Have you checked the inside of the tank yet? There is an inspection lid under the carpet and pad in the hatch, then you'll see the fuel sending unit.

[EScanlon]

Excellent point Darrel.

The rest of us missed it.

If there's nothing wrong with the tank, then why go through all the trouble and hazzle in dropping it / and / or replacing it.

E

[CG Mojo]

Welcome aboard! This forum is a great source of information and comraderie. There are lots of sources for parts, but the most extensive is Motorsports Auto (www.motorsportauto.com). Just Google "Datsun Z parts" and you'll get most of them. These cars are plentiful enough that there are several good sources of used parts too.

[NurseLaura]

Darrel, thanks for that little tip! That one may save me alotta zweat and zwearing!

There is rust on this car due to sitting thru Hurricane Charlie and other storms in someone's backyard with no attention at all. I'm pretty sure it has some nasties in the line coming from the tank. So I probably will end up cleaning out the present tank. But in the meantime, I'll check out that sending unit and see if I can get 'er back on the road.

EScanion, you crack me up! I'll bet you sit around cracking yourself up all the time!

Thanks all.

[zbane]

NurseLaura, How is your car running? Any strange sounds, hesitation, generaly bothersome behaviors? Just curious cause I am about to go through the drop/clean business myself.

If you haven't done so yet, check the filter on the sending unit, it may be clogged.

Odds are, you already knew this.

[=Resurected280=]

One option here is to take your tank to a radiator shop and have it boiled (its like a high intensity steam cleaning) and relined. Not all shops do this but I had this done to mine and it worked out very well. The shop I brought it to only charged me $90 to do this whole operation (I took the tank out and brought it to then though) and my tank was wicked rusty, it required 3 1/2 days of boiling to get it clean, most tanks shouldnt require anywhere near that long. But, my car hesitated, sputtered and wouldnt rev past 3,000rpm before and it ran like a brand new car after.

Good luck and welcome to the site =)

[NurseLaura]

Here's the scoop:

This morning, I took off the plate on the top of the tank. It's obvious there's some age-related problems there (sending unit, old lines, etc.). So, before I do anything, I'm going to replace all the small stuff. I didn't undo the lines because I was afraid to rip them. But I'm sure that mine looks just like those pics. I know that the lines look about the same age. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it's salvagable.

Yes, it's acting up a little. When I step on the gas hard, it sounds like I'm running out of gas. Very similar to a vacuum lock, but I know that's not the problem. Also, I filled up the tank, and did run out of gas after only 203 miles. It only took 8 gallons to fill it up afterwards. I know something is up with that! This all happened within the first week I had the car back from the mechanic. Although the whole motor was gone through, we didn't replace or drop the tank, and it's possible there could be some major problems there. The car sat for over 3 years without being started.

I'm pretty sure there's crap in the bottom of the tank, and therefore in the lines. I haven't driven the car at all since all this stuff happened. But I've been working and haven't really had time to mess with it yet.

Let me know what happened after those pics of yours, because it sure looks like we're dealing with the same issues!

Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.