69 camaro - GM gas tank vs repo

[enio45]

A while back I bought a load of NOS 69 Camaro parts and in the lot was a new gas tank. There is no GM sticker on it so I was wondering if there is a way to tell an orig GM NOS tank vs a repop. Most of the NOS parts were purchased in the 80's so I assumed the tank came from that time period as well - however how do you tell if it is NOS GM?

[Lynn]

Date code.

[enio45]

Thanks Lynn,

so the nos ones over the counter would also have a date code??

Let me check the tank!

[enio45]

Just checked and all I see on the corner is a letter A stamped into it

Here is a pic if it helps

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16259-img_1891.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16260-img_1892.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16262-img_1898.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16263-img_1901.jpg

[Lynn]

I don't think there is much sold over the counter without date codes, especially if it could be defective.

They needed to be able to verify when it was made in case of a warranty claim.

I have little experience with NOS gas tanks. Can't tell you what the A stands for.

I do know that the tank that was in my car when I did the resto was an over the counter tank. I always suspected there was some serious rear end carnage when the car was still under warranty. There was a small chunk missing from the snubber, and the entire rear axle assy was an over the counter unit. Although the axle casting date was a week or two before the build date on my car, there was no axle code stamped on the housing. So, I suspected it was a warranty replacement.

When I checked the tank for a date code, it was dated Jan. 70, after they quit production on the 69's, so I know it is (was) an over the counter tank. I now have a Spectre tank on my car. My old one was dented, and I couldn't see trying to restore it seeing it wasn't original to the car and I had no warranty paperwork to prove the story.

I will look on my Spectre tank when I get a chance, and see if there is anything stamped there.

Sorry for the long answer, but that is why I believe over the counter units received date codes. At least they did in 1970.

Funny story on another note. When I was wrenching at the Buick dealership in the 70's, one of the guys was busted for replacing a front compressor seal under warranty, when he really hadn't. How did the zone rep know? When doing warranty work, we always had to save the old parts and turn them in to the GM zone rep.

The seal had a date code on it, 8 dots meant a seal made for a 78 model. He turned in a seal from a non warranty compressor job and it was way too early for the car in question.

[Salvatore]

Contact Fred Schempp. (L78 Fred) he has a couple NOS gas tanks he can compare them to Fast Eddie!

[Mr.Nickey Nova]

Ed,
That looks like a repop tank to me.The tank it self looks the same as a NOS,but the big difference is the filler neck.I tried a repop tank on my 69 Z once,which wouldn't fit good due to the filler neck being up to high.So i returned it and went with the original tank after i had it cleaned out and sealed inside due to rust.It's all about the filler neck.Nothing like the original stuff...

[ZLP955]

The way the corners of the seam are turned up makes me think that is a repo too, but maybe the over-the-counter tanks differed from the assembly line versions in that regard too. In my shop I have an original tank and a repro, if you can give me a day or two I will take and post pictures of the differences between the two.

[Material_Boy]

If your original gas cap doesn't fit worth a crap and is hard as hell to turn and tighten then it is probably a repro. That has been my experience with repro tanks.

Dave

[Lynn]

FWIW, the newer Spectre tanks fit perfectly, and they are pretty cheap from Rock Auto.

[Material_Boy]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lynn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FWIW, the newer Spectre tanks fit perfectly, and they are pretty cheap from Rock Auto. </div></div>

Lynn,
I've gotten several tanks from Quanta. Are their's manufactured by Spectre? The Quanta tanks look and fit great. The only problem I've had is the OEM cap is a bear to get on and off.

Dave

[resto4u]

20 R looks like a aftermarket part #. look at a classic ind. or spectre, quanta part numbers.

[ZLP955]

Eddie,
I took those pictures to compare the assembly-line GM tank with a reproduction. Having reviewed the details, I'm not so sure that your tank is repro..... could well be over-the-counter.

Here's the differences that I noted (the GM tank is dated '21 69' and it came off a January car, 01B if I recall correctly).

1. Original GM has a 1&quot; wide collar at the filler inlet, the repro is 1/2&quot;.
GM:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7360_zps2471f5e7.jpg
Repro:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7361_zpsa441f6ee.jpg

2. The rebates for the gas cap in the filler neck have different orientations, at approximately 11- and 5-o'clock on the GM tank, and at the 9- and 3-o'clock position on the repro.
GM:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7368_zps67c62cbf.jpg
Repro:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7367_zps6b61d89d.jpg

3. The locking ring for the sender has a number ('16 9') on the GM tank, and nothing on the repro; also, the spot welds either side of the 3 locking tabs are much smaller on the GM tank than on the repro.
GM:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7362_zps79b3946a.jpg
Repro:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7363_zpsd479a35e.jpg

4. On each side of the GM tank, the joint seam has a transition from horizontal to almost vertical, approximately half way along the tank edge; the repro seam is flat along the entire length.
GM:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7365_zps67183439.jpg
Repro:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7366_zps9407c567.jpg

5. The perimeter seam has a different appearance, the GM tank has what looks like fish scales, like a weld run, but the repro has like a crimped appearance with a regular series of perpendicular 'ribs'.
GM (probably should have cleaned the tank to better show this detail...):
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7369_zps9844ca5c.jpg
Repro:
http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd420/ZLP955/TC%20Forum%20Stuff/DSCF7370_zps85875287.jpg

[enio45]

Tim, excellent pics and details - let me compare mine to see what I have.

Thank you for taking the time to investigate this

[luv2sixty9]

Ed,
With the limited pics of your tank I would still have to say thats its a GM NOS tank.

[L78 Fred]

Eddie
I'm coming into this late
If you need any more Picts of NOS or used GM tanks
Just let me know
Great post and very good info!
Regards
Fred

[enio45]

here are some updated pics of the tank....they are similar to Tims pics

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16412-img_1945.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16413-img_1947.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16414-img_1950.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-699-16415-img_1951.jpg

Like I thought earlier - this might be NOS tank over the counter as the guy I bought the load of parts from worked at
the GM dealer parts counter and he bought a bunch of parts for this Z28. I was considering using this as I already have it, but I do like the repo tanks finish - this would take me hrs to try to remove yrs of scratches that this has been subject to so for the money - it was/is a consideration. How do you all clean these nos tanks up? Use any metal polish on them?

[XXXGoldL34M20]

If I had that tank I would sponge sand the entire tank by hand to take all scratches along with light surface rust off, then give it a light spray of clear coat to protect it.
I did an original used 70 Chevelle Gas tank once with paint over spray, tar, scratches and surface rust on it and it came out great after I cleaned it up. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
This one will be a lot easier to do IMO

[enio45]

what is sponge sand??

[XXXGoldL34M20]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: enio45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what is sponge sand?? </div></div>
Its a sponge with sand paper built in on one side of the sponge.
I buy them at swap meets and there cheap.
I use them for sanding lots of parts and you can buy them in many different grades of sand paper

[69VN]

Sanding sponge&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/09/full-13015-16431-3m.png

[Day2_69Z]

Eddie,
My knowledge is an original or NOS tank is galvanized like the dust shields. The repops including the dust shields are zinc or cadmium plated.
Huge difference in coating appearance!!!
Galvanized NOS &amp; original parts have that multi layered fish scale look in various shades of silvers.
Repop stuff is bright and consistent through out
Tom
by the way,,what do I owe you for those bolts you sent me awhile back ?
And don't you think the Gilbert Museum needs an original &quot;Race Car , Day 2 car .......????? hint

[enio45]

Tom - nothing for the bolts - is that day 2 car done yet?

[Day2_69Z]

Its awfully Close !!! The interior I just finished except for arm rest pads. Legendary sent me junk pads.p
I used that high end repro dash pad (its a nice piece for what's out there)
My NOS Dash pad went to Elon Block for his COPO at SCW.
The car is rolling on L60's Cragar SS &amp; F60's on M/T slots.The 302 &amp; Muncie are at my brothers.... he has 1 more Drag Race for the season. (he crew chiefs and builds the 906 C.I. engines for there Pro-Nitrous Camaro in PDRL. $500,000 Race Car )
Underneath the Z/28 is done...the bolt on engine components are all done. Other than a radiator restored and a clutch set up,,I'm pretty good for hard parts. Half the car needs sanding &amp; buffing 26 year old lacquer ...lol....