I'm not one much to get into many specifics on aftermarket parts for our G-bodies, but with the intermittent fuel gage issue on the 87 442 (23K miles), I suspect it MAY be the sender. Ground and power wire seem to be fine. Which means it's about a 99.9% chance of dropping the tank to do more investigating. Not sure when, just not in this 100+ degree weather right now. Humidity will melt you. Anyhoo, while I'm in there, I'm going to likely replace the sender anyway, regardless. New sock and O-ring at MINIMUM. All with GM stuff, of course. The outside of the tank of what is visible is perfect. How could it not be? It was Rusty Jones'd right after the original owner bought it new so the bottom and sides of the tank are covered in that black waxy, goo coating (that's going to be fun). Not sure about what is on top of the tank, but can't be much more than dirt and maybe a little surface dust-rust I imagine. The car has not led a rough life at all.
My question revolves around the gas tank itself. Not knowing what it looks like inside, I don't expect to see 400 lbs of rust, but I'm sure it won't be pristine either after 35 years. If I can clean out the tank, I'll do that, but if it comes down to replacing, I don't have much in options except an aftermarket tank. So which tanks are ones to look at, ones to avoid, etc., etc.? I've read about fill problems with the new tanks with necks pre-installed, but I was wondering if those fill problems exist if you use the original filler neck on a new tank that comes without a neck? I am NOT going to stick a vent tube in the top of the neck, so that option's out. Does anyone know exactly what the issue is with the tank to keep it from acting normal while filling, or have they resolved any of these issues?
Again, not expecting anything crazy, but if I drop the tank and find a disaster, I may have to buy a new aftermarket tank and I honestly wouldn't know which "brand" is best. I know prices are all over the map, but I suspect there's probably only 2 or 3 companies at most, if not just one, making them under different brand names.
Looking for facts and opinions.
My question revolves around the gas tank itself. Not knowing what it looks like inside, I don't expect to see 400 lbs of rust, but I'm sure it won't be pristine either after 35 years. If I can clean out the tank, I'll do that, but if it comes down to replacing, I don't have much in options except an aftermarket tank. So which tanks are ones to look at, ones to avoid, etc., etc.? I've read about fill problems with the new tanks with necks pre-installed, but I was wondering if those fill problems exist if you use the original filler neck on a new tank that comes without a neck? I am NOT going to stick a vent tube in the top of the neck, so that option's out. Does anyone know exactly what the issue is with the tank to keep it from acting normal while filling, or have they resolved any of these issues?
Again, not expecting anything crazy, but if I drop the tank and find a disaster, I may have to buy a new aftermarket tank and I honestly wouldn't know which "brand" is best. I know prices are all over the map, but I suspect there's probably only 2 or 3 companies at most, if not just one, making them under different brand names.
Looking for facts and opinions.