WWYD What would you do?
 

Everythings goin' my way!

Yesterday, my 72 coupe hit a small stump in the road and dented my gas tank pretty good. No steering problems. My tech said I should take a 2x4 and pound it out from the opening where the gas level goes. I'm concerned about messing up the resin liner and potential rust. Also, I'm concerned about any frame damage. What would you do?

I thought I was just running over another ever present varmit on a local 2 lane road in the Shenandoah Valley. But to my surprise it was a small wood stump and I could hear it drag under the car. The roads here are superb driving and I was rounding a corner and didn't even have time to brake.

Strange no damage to the air conditioner thingy up front and no damage to the steering.

Lucky me!

eeeh, if it's just a dent... leave it..you might loose half a gallon worth of room in the fuel tank, but is it worth the trouble of getting it fixed?

Doug,
I'd drive the car and keep a close eye on it and replace/repair the tank if it gives you any trouble.

I will watch and try to post a pic here tomorrow. There may be more damage than I know.SmileWavy

OK It is now wet and smells like gas.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1073099715.jpg

Different view
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1073100126.jpg

Doug:
Doesn't look good. May be time for a used gas tank & cover plate for the steering rack area. It would be a chance for you to paint the tank on the outside & coat it on the inside.

Yep, I took off the cover plate yesterday it's bent up but it's fixable. But it looks like I'll need to get a new/used tank. I tightened the bottom gas line, but last night it was still wet. It isn't dripping though. It must be evaporating faster than it is leaking.

Is the old one worth keeping and fixing up for spare parts?

I'd say time for a new tank. I did the same thing during an off-road excursion about 6 mo ago. Those new repro tanks are only like 300 bucks and they are very nice. I had gotten a good used one that i had to have dipped, that alone cost $100 here in CA. So i would spring for a new one if i were you.

i bet you could get that fixed easy. try a radiator shop or check MOYER. do a search on this thread. i seem to think it is close to you.

Could also be a problem with the fuel line fittings. Hard to say until you get in there and start taking things apart.

I'll check out Moyer Fuel Tank Renu and the reproduction tanks. I like the idea of getting something that is galvanized. Do you have to treat the inside of the repros with anything?

At least it wasn't concrete!:D You guys must be getting slow if I'm the first to throw that out. My vote is for new tank and a new wrench, he sounds way too casual about a potential big problem.

After seeing the damage, I vote for a replacement tank. Don't mees with the damaged one. Too dangerous and time-consuming to fix correctly!