68 Nova fuel tank

**Tommy** · #1 08-10-2009, 07:50 PM

I recently sent my carb out to Eric for a rebuild and he called back to tell me things were going great but the carb was chock full of trash and was absolutely filthy... He recommended that I clean the tank and line (68 only has one) which I am doing now. I dropped the tank and drained it and cannot believe what I am hearing rattling around in that thing.. It sounds like a cup full of pebbles and a half gallon of sand

. Cleaning it won't be a problem but I would like some feedback on the outside of the tank. It has alot of undercoating on it as well as some of the black paint on the sides but is overall pretty dirty. I would like to clean and paint it to have a fairly close to factory look and still be able to be driven on a regular basis. What are you "driver" guys doing to your tanks ?

Tommy

**68 Chevy II** · #2 08-10-2009, 08:13 PM

Eric called me with the same news. We installed a Spearco brand gas tank (USA), new repro sender, AC fuel pump, and cleaned out fuel lines. Also installed an inline fuel filter, just to be safe. Spearco is the most correct one being sold. I think. No problems since.

Zach Carter · #3 08-10-2009, 08:29 PM

Tommy,

I replaced the tank on the Nova with one from Spearco too. Purchased it online at Rock Auto along with new straps. They were the cheapest. Everything fit perfectly.

VintageMusclecar · #4 08-10-2009, 08:42 PM

It's amazing how much garbage/rust winds up inside a gas tank, isn't it?

Sometimes I feel like a broken record when telling people to check their fuel tanks after their carbs come in packed full of debris, but it is what it is.

Here is what can happen in a worst-case scenario.

Eric

ORIGLS6 · #5 08-10-2009, 08:47 PM

Sounds like you're wanting to retain the original tank. I cleaned the outside of mine with kerosene and a combination of stiff bristle brushes, finishing up with kero & 0000 steel wool. I then sprayed it with Krylon clear and it's held up very well for better than five years.

However, that's on a Chevelle (natural finish). If I recall correctly there was a recent thread showing pix of Nova tanks with a factory applied black finish. You could do a search or maybe one of the Nova guys will hook up a link shortly.

BTW, what are you doing to the inside of the tank? Sealer of some sort or just a good cleaning?

**Tommy** · #6 08-10-2009, 09:04 PM

Well, I did want to keep the original mostly just because I am not real picky and I thought it would clean up okay but it does have one small dent and some corrosion on the top side. Looking inside now after pulling the sender out which had been replaced once at least) it looks new and shiny inside but did have alot of pebbles and sand/trash. I can go either way, clean old one or shiny new one....

I got prices from a couple places on the Spectra tank and sender including Rock Auto. Advance auto price matches and i'm an employee so they win today

.

Tommy

m22mike · #7 08-10-2009, 09:09 PM

I think in the Nova Assy manual there is info about "Blacking out" the rear and sides of a Nova tank. Not done on Camaro's.
Dennis's idea is good, if the tank is real nasty paint it silver and clear it.

**Tommy** · #8 08-10-2009, 09:12 PM

I used the eastwood tank paint on another nova and liked it but haven't had that one out in the elements yet so I am not sure how it holds up to rain and being washed... It did look nice though

This Nova was purchased last year from St.Louis with 32,000 miles and was garaged for at least the last 10 years. The owner said he cranked it every couple of years when state inspection time came around so I figured the carb was just gummed up from sitting and it might smooth out somewhat with me driving it. It did get better but definately wasn't working correctly. It would lose its prime after a day of sitting as well and I thought the diaphram in the pump was going bad. I now think all the problems were caused by trash in the tank...

Tommy

**WILMASBOYL78** · #9 08-10-2009, 11:11 PM

I think those "pebbles" are small pieces of solder residue...

We have used the Eastwood Tank Paint and it holds up well. The Novas we have all have the black out on the tank...I think

A good clean fuel system does make a difference...just like Eric said.

wilma

**JRSully** · #10 08-12-2009, 04:13 AM

My 69 L78 Nova still has the original untouched black out all over the tank, sides, filler tube and surrounding area. I will see if I can get a pic of it

Dedicated to the Promotion and Preservation of American Muscle Cars, Dealer built Supercars and COPO cars.