Reproduction gas tank?
- Thread starter Skeezixx
- Start date
Tom from Drippin'
Senior Member
Nope. To many product liability lawyers standing in the wings!
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
Actually, I am not sure that is the true reason Tom. There are several reproduction tanks currently made for the Model T, ...and TANKS Inc. makes many tanks for "newer" cars (1930s and up). RoadsterUte is now offering a 28-29 tank but I have not seen it in person. I feel like within the next 3-5 years you will see a generic reproduction tank offered for the M28-29 and M30-E31 Model A's. With tooling likely in the $250k+ range for each type tank, it would probably require over 1600 tanks to be sold in the retail level of $600.00 each to justify doing the project. Is there truly that kind of demand?
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1931 flamingo
Well-known member
I think it's like radiators. It's a lot of money BUT, look at the posts, so many for over heating and fuel problems that I think many would pay that kind of money just for the piece of mind. I believe it ws you whose posted pictures of a tank that was opened up to show the baffles, etc. How much would you charge for that kind of a "restoration" of the tank? A rough figure would suffice if so inclined to post. Thank you
Paul in CT Fortunately my late 80's resto has had NO fuel problems.
Paul in CT Fortunately my late 80's resto has had NO fuel problems.
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
Generally speaking, it costs about $500.00 to restore a tank.
Do you feel strongly enough about being able to sell them at $600 that you would sell your car/assets/etc. and go in with 24 other people and put up $10k to do the deal? In all liklihood, you are in the same boat as I in that the R.o.I. is not enough to take a gamble.
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Do you feel strongly enough about being able to sell them at $600 that you would sell your car/assets/etc. and go in with 24 other people and put up $10k to do the deal? In all liklihood, you are in the same boat as I in that the R.o.I. is not enough to take a gamble.
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Frank Miller
Well-known member
I actually thought this was a liability issue because of the location in the occupants' lap.
5window
Well-known member
True, but pretty much anywhere you would put a gas tank in a Model A is a liability.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
I always figure it was due to the outright complexity. Comparing the A-bone tanks to just about any other type and it's one complicated sombeech. The welding process alone took a fair amount of time to develop in 1927.
Skeezixx
Senior Member
When I went into production on an optical design I patented I couldn't produce them in any American lab for less than $125.00 per unit.
I went to China where I ultimately got them for $1.91 each packaged! for a minimum order of 100.
Optical elements, with multiple coatings, requires a great deal more precision than sheet metal parts. I found the Chinese capable of offering closer tolerances than any American lab I have dealt with.
For $600 these guys would build me a tank out of case hardened quartz, backlighted, with threaded holes, and a facsimile of Henry Ford's fingerprints laser etched on the front.
Then I wouldn't need a gas gauge anymore.
The point is I suspect there are dozens of sheet metal shops offshore which would love to reproduce tanks (or anything) at a reasonable cost if there is a demand.
After all, I can't be the only guy removing "made in Taiwan" stickers from new Model A parts I ordered from the major American suppliers.
Chris in CT
Senior Member
Skeezixx, The more I think about this, the more I think a conventional, burst-proof tank designed to fit under the frame, just in front of the rear spring might work. For the driver, the added safety factor would be significant, and the old empty and cleaned tank would present a traditional cowl with the possibility of electronic and storage space inside if so desired. All you would need to do is hang the tank, and hook up an electric fuel pump with impact shutoff, and you'd be all set and much safer for passengers. Just a fantasy...
peters180a/170b
Well-known member
Well if this is true its very good for the hobby. Brookville roadster company will be happy ... More sales for them .
hardtimes
Well-known member
Chris,
''Just a fantasy''! Well, your fantasy just came true..well not just now..as these '32 style tanks have been and/are made for some time now! They look pretty good on an A.
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
Now THAT one doesn't make sense to me at all! Does a reproduction fender stick out like a sore thumb? What about reproduction running board, ...or a reproduction headlight or wiring harness? Like Marco says, most people do not know what many original items look like however while these repro parts may be slightly different, they do not stick out like a sore thumb IMO.
Frank, how is a Model A gas tank in your lap any different than sitting on a Model T tank??
Skeez, while I do not have any first-hand experience dealing with off-shore manufacturing however I have/had several customers who do business over there regularly and the common thread I hear out of all of them is staying on Q/C. We cut original tanks open and weld them up in my shop and I can tell you that if you are not fixtured up to hold the tank, it will not fit the cowl when you get ready to bolt it back in. Have about 100 tanks made that do not fit, ...and factor in the lead time of the shipping plus the fact that most of these shops require payment up front and imagine the frustration when those 100 arrive and 90% of them do not fit. I also hear these cheaper shops will also let you pay for tool steel dies but instead make dies from Kirksite will last for maybe the first 100-150 tanks. Sure you can make multiple trips back & forth checking on the progress but you in all likelihood, your costs will be the same as having them made in the states by the times the extra Q/C are ammortized over the tanks. In that case, just go ahead and have them built here.
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Barry B./ Ma.
Well-known member
Chris if I remember right the Shay roadster in 1980 had the gas filler neck behind the drivers door on the rear quarter so I would assume from that the tank was mounted in the frame with most likely an electric pump. Worked well as far as I can remember.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
Bladders were mentioned as possibility. Bladders are used in aviation quite a bit but they require overhauls as they age. They are made by companies like Goodyear and they are expensive. You would have to cut a fairly large access port in there just to get it in then it would have to be fastened up in some way to make it keep its shape.
I think I'd leave the bladders to the aircraft folks. I hate working on them that's for sure. It would be easier to cut the bottom out and install a plastic tank and that doesn't sound like much fun either.
Kerby
I think I'd leave the bladders to the aircraft folks. I hate working on them that's for sure. It would be easier to cut the bottom out and install a plastic tank and that doesn't sound like much fun either.
Kerby
BRENT in 10-uh-C
Well-known member
Explain to me how these "bladders" would/could work when a Model A tank if filled with baffles spot welded in the locations they are.
http://www.model-a-ford.com/Ahooga/3031GasTank.jpg
Skeezixx
Senior Member
Brent You bring up a good point about quality control. Offshore they don't have the safety concerns we do here in the states. Someone could take shortcuts and the results may be a nightmare.
I for one wouldn't like to have my wingtips and argyle socks suddenly inundated with 11 gallons of hi test ethyl.
The concept of a 32 rear mounted tank is interesting. That would give us the option of having two glove boxes and one could mount a bowling trophy or a bobblehead in the old gas cap.
I for one wouldn't like to have my wingtips and argyle socks suddenly inundated with 11 gallons of hi test ethyl.
The concept of a 32 rear mounted tank is interesting. That would give us the option of having two glove boxes and one could mount a bowling trophy or a bobblehead in the old gas cap.