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Offline trijjicon

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Gas Tank Issue
« on: October 28, 2022, 10:22:13 AM »
My mechanic states that my gas tank is a replacement. That it has very thin metal and is rather cheaply made. When he lightly pushes down on the sending unit, the tank sinks in. He believes this could be why the fuel gauge doesn't read correctly. With any kind of flexing, temp changes, or bouncing around in the Jeep, this could cause the float to move also...giving inaccurate fuel levels. He used a scope to check on the baffling. It was all fine. He's thinking about ways to re-enforce the walls of the tank. I said just go get another "better" tank. He said "where"? That I wouldn't know if it was a good one... until after I purchased it. He's right... "I" wouldn't. If it comes to that, do any of u know where a "really good" tank is? Otherwise, he said I wouldn't like the cost for him to custom-build me one. He's right again. :P )

Offline Rus Curtis

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Re: Gas Tank Issue
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2022, 11:18:17 AM »
Not an expert!  But, I don't buy the explanation of the tank's construction has anything to do with the fuel gauge.   He's probably right about it being a replacement as finding an original after 70 years still in usable condition would be unique.

The gauge reading can be affected by fuel slosh but not pressure.  The baffle helps with sloshing but must have enough openings so as not to restrict flow.  That sloshing won't create a non-stop permanent inaccurate reading.  It will fluctuate above and below as the "waves" bounce around inside the tank.  Sit still for a traffic light (or similar) and you'll get enough settling to read fairly accurate.

A word of caution on reinforcing:  You may not like the way the tank looks after it's been reinforced.

I bought a grey replacement from Walck's a few years back and really liked its construction.  I ruined it by having a shop line it (incorrectly thinking I'd turn it into a "lasts forever" tank.  After several unsuccessful acid baths, a different shop cut it open and blasted the liner out.  The liner didn't line the tank, it puddled in all the wrong places.  The resulting patch to seal the tank back up looked really bad.  It would've been functional but the seat wouldn't have been able to cover it up.

I bought another tank from Pet Debella, http://www.debellajeepparts.com/cjpremiers.htm, and am very pleased with it.  For it to fit correctly in my jeep, I had to remove the square bracket on the back - and of course that created the need to repaint.  But it fits (minor adjustment to the floor openings) and works.

I used the method of adjusting the sending unit that Dr. Vern illustrated on his website (before he took it down) and was able to get full range on the gauge.  I then altered the arm (without cutting) to get full at the top and empty at the bottom.  All of this was done outside the tank where you can observe and adjust the float.
'54 CJ-3B "Green Gruntt"
Bantam T3-C

Offline Chuck W.

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Re: Gas Tank Issue
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2022, 12:55:45 PM »
I have purchased two CJ3B gas tanks from Walck's and have been very happy with both. Heavy, well built, perfect fit.
1964 CJ3B  "Shelby Joy"
1952 M38 w/M100 trailer
1966 M274A2

Offline BillT

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Re: Gas Tank Issue
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2022, 08:54:15 AM »
This past week I was scanning through Quarter Ton & Military’s parts pages and saw a tank listed. As I remember it stated it has the correct openings and has the internal pickup tube. They stated the material was heavier then original.
Just wanted to past this along.

'52 CJ3A, early M38A1, '70 Commando
25' travel trailer, Lance 855S truck camper
Love to camp