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wmhjr
01-04-2011, 01:02 PM
I guess this is as good a section as any for this. Not long ago I got a Ricks Stainless fuel tank for my carb equipped '66 GTO project. I was previously using an OEM type tank combined with a RobbMC 1/2" sending unit.

The quality of the stuff from Ricks is excellent. However, especially since I'm not FI, I'm a little less certain about using this tank or going a different route including going back to my OEM tank (which was in great shape, and clear powdercoated).

The Ricks tank is much deeper, and as such it hangs down quite a bit. In the following pics, the car is on my 2 post lift supported by the frame rails. The suspension is at full extension. The car is relatively low with the Currie rear suspension, SPC tubulars up front, Howe tall ball joints and SPC springs. I'm a little concerned about how far down the tank will actually be when the car is on the ground with weight on the suspension.

I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks in advance.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC_4864-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC_4856-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/DSC_4862-1.jpg

As a comparison, here's a shot with the old tank in it. It's not the same angle, but you can see the tank compared to the tail pipes and frame rails. Quite a bit different...
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/DSC_4450-1.jpg

The WidowMaker
01-04-2011, 05:03 PM
do you still have your old tank? how deep is it compared to the ricks? the pictures can be deceiving.

wmhjr
01-04-2011, 09:47 PM
Old tank is approx 6" deep in the front. Ricks stainless tank is about 8 1/2" deep in the front.

Bow Tie 67
01-05-2011, 09:26 AM
You'll be fine just dont four wheel with it.

rfalker1
01-06-2011, 06:24 AM
I say go with it!!!!!

DarkoNova
01-06-2011, 06:45 PM
It looks like it goes MAYBE to about the middle of the diff. It may look a little odd, but I don't see a problem with it.

wmhjr
01-06-2011, 09:30 PM
It looks like it goes MAYBE to about the middle of the diff. It may look a little odd, but I don't see a problem with it.

Just for clarification - in the pics the car is on a 2 post lift supported by the frame with the rear end hanging down at full extension. In that mode, the bottom of the tank is about even with the middle of the diff. With the car on the ground even before I get in it, the tanks is about even with the bottom of the diff. As a comparison, look at the position of the top of the tire in the pics above (big gap) and then look at the stance in the pic below.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/01/GTOWorldofWheels3003-1.jpg

wmhjr
01-07-2011, 07:31 AM
Confirmed this morning. With the interior, etc in the car - but no fuel and no passengers, and with the car on the ground, the bottom of the Ricks tank is maybe a few thousandths higher than the bottom of the diff. Didn't bother to take any pics. That's just where it is. I think for an FI motor, the lower sump really makes a huge difference. Not sure if it really does in my case. Center of gravity will shift a little lower in the rear, however I'll also say that the Ricks tank weighs twice what my OEM type tank weighs.

I'm still on the fence.

wmhjr
01-09-2011, 12:53 PM
Well folks, I thought about it a lot. I realized one more thing. With the front of the tank hanging down so far (well below the axles) it would also create an issue tying the car down in the trailer for long distance transportation, or for when I just need to take it someplace for some sort of mechanical issue. So, I pulled the stainless tank and I'm going back to the OEM type tank. Obviously if I were running EFI I'd need to rethink that decision, but I don't plan to change my fuel system. Thanks for the feedback.