Drake '40 tank
- Thread starter uncle max
- Start date
Kube
Super Moderator
You'll need to lift the body a bit.
They are a bit wider than the authentic tank and as such won't install like an authentic tank.
If your buddy had ever replaced an authentic tank, he already knows there is zero room to spare.
the original sending unit won't fit. And, as surely everyone knows by now, the repop units are poop at best.
Joe Immler
Well-known member
Max. If it is not damage too much I suggest he take it to a weld or machine shop and have it repaired. Kube is correct. Mine sucked.
uncle max
Well-known member
Were you able to get it in without lifting the body?
Kube
Super Moderator
alanwoodieman
Well-known member
If you look close you will see where the weld seem is on drakes tank, a little removal of materiel on each end enables the tank to go in--don't forget to seal up the ends you trimmed
35fordtn
Well-known member
I’ve installed six, all without lifting the body/bed. If chipping the paint is a issue you will need to lift the body. With a lift and a minimum 4 foot long pry bar it is possible to do and many cuss words will be said in the process. They are about 3/32” wider than a original which again can be fit is paint chips and scratches aren’t a issue.
Joe Immler
Well-known member
Max, Yes I did
deuce_roadster
Well-known member
I have 2 NOS tanks and putting one in my 40 coupe was a war, putting the original back in my wagon was a war. The one I put in my 40 convertible I sold was a war. Those tanks were dropped in from the top on the assembly line with no body in the way. I have never installed a Drake tank but installing an original from the bottom is not easy in my experience with 3 Ford tanks, two of which were NOS. If a Drake tank is even .010 wider it will not be a pleasant experience if the body is on the car.
Back in the day they would use a couple of pry bars and not worry if they dented the tank or chipped the paint installing a new one. If they made the tanks 1/8" narrower it would be easy--no thought of replacement by the Ford engineers.
Back in the day they would use a couple of pry bars and not worry if they dented the tank or chipped the paint installing a new one. If they made the tanks 1/8" narrower it would be easy--no thought of replacement by the Ford engineers.
deuce5wndw
Well-known member
I put one in my 40 coupe and it wasn't easy but I got it in without lifting the body or denting the tank.
flatmotor40
Well-known member
I trimmed the frame a little and angled it in.But I put it in while the body was off the first time.It didn't fit to good when frame was bare
RKS.PA
Well-known member
I put a Dennis Carpenter tank in my '39 Fordor Deluxe. Not sure if it's the same as a Drake tank, but by lifting the body a little it went in without a big fuss.
As Kube noted above, getting the reproduction sending unit to record correctly, however, was another matter and took some doing.
I was under an "Ultimatum" from my lovely and hobby supportive wife to solve the running out of gas problem when the gauge still said half full!
As Kube noted above, getting the reproduction sending unit to record correctly, however, was another matter and took some doing.
I was under an "Ultimatum" from my lovely and hobby supportive wife to solve the running out of gas problem when the gauge still said half full!
hotrodart
Senior Member
I put a Drake stainless tank in my '40 coupe......zero issues with fit......entire exercise took about 2, maybe 3 hours......on my back in the shop, with the car on 12 inch high ramps.. I did not need to lift the body. The fuel line fitting is different from the original Ford. The original Ford fuel sender fit very well. I an very satisfied with the whole deal.
There are no unknowns in this equation. Original tanks fit with a bit of a struggle.
Original tanks are not so easy to find.
Drake tanks do not fit with body installed.
after installing the Drake tank, you have knowingly created another serious problem.
The correct K -S fuel sender will not fit.
A sender that does fits the Drake tank will never work correctly with the original gauge (well known fact)
Fix the old tank. May be hard but possibly a good option
Find a used tank. They are out there. Try the old Ford stores that have used parts. I have found them there. Best option in my opinion.
This is not as simple as removing an old failed part and installing a new part and going on your merry way. You are walking into known serious problems and spending a bunch of money and effort to do so.
This is where the good old swap meets paid off. You could find this stuff.
I have original tanks in my '40 and '32 for obvious reasons.
Original tanks are not so easy to find.
Drake tanks do not fit with body installed.
after installing the Drake tank, you have knowingly created another serious problem.
The correct K -S fuel sender will not fit.
A sender that does fits the Drake tank will never work correctly with the original gauge (well known fact)
Fix the old tank. May be hard but possibly a good option
Find a used tank. They are out there. Try the old Ford stores that have used parts. I have found them there. Best option in my opinion.
This is not as simple as removing an old failed part and installing a new part and going on your merry way. You are walking into known serious problems and spending a bunch of money and effort to do so.
This is where the good old swap meets paid off. You could find this stuff.
I have original tanks in my '40 and '32 for obvious reasons.
hotrodart
Senior Member
I guess your experience with these conflicts with mine (and others) .......the Drake tank fit in perfectly with the body NOT REMOVED. A very easy, quick replacement.
Zax40
Well-known member
I know this is a 5 year old thread. But it has a lot of good info and I thought adding to it would aid future searches on the topic better than starting another new 40 Drake gas tank thread.
I just ordered and received a new Drake tank for my 40 Ford. I read this thread and many more before ordering so I expected issues with fitment. I just unboxed it and compared it to my old tank. The fitment issues for the stock sending unit are obvious. But I'm not noticing where the extra material is on the Drake tank that is making it necessary to lift the body. Pics below.
The tank that was in it had much more rust inside than I expected and has already been dipped and resealed once in the past. I'm not confident it can be made safely and reliably useable again.
I just ordered and received a new Drake tank for my 40 Ford. I read this thread and many more before ordering so I expected issues with fitment. I just unboxed it and compared it to my old tank. The fitment issues for the stock sending unit are obvious. But I'm not noticing where the extra material is on the Drake tank that is making it necessary to lift the body. Pics below.
The tank that was in it had much more rust inside than I expected and has already been dipped and resealed once in the past. I'm not confident it can be made safely and reliably useable again.
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