I'm a little confused and at my age it's not too hard to do. I plan on a recessed firewall new cowl side panels ,smooth top panel and put the new gas tank in the trunk. My question is do I still use this old tank to maintain stronger body structure. Someone said to cut off the bottom of the tank and there are replacement panels to completely illuminate the old tank that makes up the cowl etc. Can you help explain this Thx much Gene
Gene: I'm sure you'll get first hand experience/answers but I have seen here and elsewhere is most guys eliminate the tank and use a different dash. It makes more room for working under the dash with the tank gone. I don't see a big structural issue with it. You still have the firewall and a dash to keep things tied together. Tim
Like "timwit" said, you can cut out the bottom of the tank and be fine.. You could also cut out the tank but leave the part facing you for gauges and such.. It's up to you...
Yep ... you heard right. You can buy an aftermarket cowl top panel that mimics the curve of the original gas tank. But I think a better "fix" -- and one that's commonly used -- is to cut the bottom and the back out of the gas tank. This method retains all the points at which the tank was mounted to the A-pillars, dash rail, fire wall, and cowl side panels which retains a lot of structural integrity. You'll have to fab a dash if you go this route but Brookville Roadster, for instance, makes a `32 dash panel that bolts right in to Model A's modified in this manner. I have a picture that somewhat illustrates what I'm trying to explain, but it's too big a file and won't load here.
If your tank is in good condition, you may want to trade for one that the bottom of the tank is already rusted out. It is getting harder to find a restorable tank. I have one with pin holes in the bottom I would be happy to trade for a nice one with an April of 29 firewall date. Rod
This is the 1st Model A Coupe I have ever done and the thing that concerns me , is now that I have a lot of the body disassembled, looking at it, it does not appear that the body even when finished will be real structurally sound . I will be putting in a small block chev. , yes even at 70 yrs. old I will want to get on it once in awhile.I will want the doors to close properly and the window to roll up and down. The tank is heavy gauge ,heavy to lift, and has the mounting points giving the immediate area more strength. I kind of would like to use it, but cut it where ever it needs to be to accommodate all the new panels and use the 32 dash with room for the gauges . Just my thought ,by now means do I really know what I'm doing and do really appreciate all your help............ Gene in Minnesota
I recently finished building our 30 Closed Cab P/U with a SBC. When it came to the original gas tank, I left it in place for it's structural integrety. However what I did do, was to cut the back (closest to you when sitting in the car) of the tank with a large openening. In fact on the 30 gas tank there was a large oval raised portion that I cut along that line. This allowed me to use a 32 style dash with guages. I then ran all the various wiring into the tank (from there various sources) into ign switch, head light switch and all the guages that were mounted on the 32 dash panel.
Hey Blazedogs turn on the ability to receive conversation on your profile page. I have some seat info for ya...
I had a '29 CCPU, currently have a '30 Coupe. On both, I cut out the bottom of the tank, used the face for mounting gages. Plenty of room, and I personally liked the look better than replacing with a different gage panel. On the '29, I even had a small AC unit tucked up behind the right side.
I kept my tank in place but cut a door that falls open and mounted my fuse box to it. Worked out OK. I kept my tank in place but cut a door that falls open and mounted my fuse box to it. Worked out OK.
The Jalopy Journal
