I would say replace it while you're having the tank done...  mine was ok for a short period of time after I cleaned the tank, but now it either reads full, or empty.  nothing in between.  I just bought the sending unit at mac's it was like $70 for a '57 unit, so your lucky if its only $35   But fortunately I can change mine without dropping the tank via the hole in the truck, not sure if you have the same. 

- John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

Fellas, I found a rad shop in Winchester that is working on a lot of Model A stuff. 48 years experience I understand. I dropped off the gas tank today. It will be "cooked" out, cleaned, and coated all for $80! I didn't know, but one of my friends had used the same shop a few years before and was greatly pleased.

As far as the sending unit and gauge - they work fine. It is just that the sending unit looks like it is about to literally fall apart because of all the corrosion. I am sure it is original. Should I just go ahead and get one ($35 at Mac's) for the piece of mind? And how long will it be before it goes bad and I have to drop the tank again?

Dan

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Check with a radiator shop - they usually will "cook" a gas tank. As far as the gauge, if its working leave it alone. As far a sending unit, try Dennis Carpenter, Concours Parts. I got one from Carpenter for my 54, works great, can be used for 6 or 12 volt. Again, try yours first before buying a new one.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Don't know if it's the same co, but there's a Canadian co also. Saw them at Carlisle two years back.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Do a Goggle search for 1957 fairlane gas tank, $183.95 + shipping!

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

There's a company that has repop 57 gas tanks, for the life of me I can't remember their name, but I bought one for my fairlane a couple years ago. The price about $250 the best I can remember. Not much more than messing  around with a 50 year  old orginal. I will try to dig up the info on them if interested.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

I had the same problem with my car.  I had to take the tank to a shop on the IL/WIS boarder that did chemical stripping.  They did a controlled acid bath I believe to clean out all rust/varnish/goo/etc from the inside.  It was about $75, and then my local radiator shop coated the inside/painted the tank for about $125-140???  Good as new now.

- John

John: Lake Forest, IL



'57 Fairlane 500 - Looking better every day.

For all who care to know -- My new Y block is running good. My overheating little problem has now settled in at 165 degrees at idle (while running the camshaft in, even!!) I couldn't be more thrilled. Good oil pressure, great idle, she is now timed and tuned - nothing like that good old Y sound - I almost cried it's been so long!

Pulled my gas tank tonight What a mess! about a 1/4" of crud in the bottom of the tank. How she was sucking anything up to the fuel pump, I don't know - she sucked a little, but not enough to keep the fuel bowl full. I hooked a gas can to the rear of the gas line from the rear of the car under the trunk, and she ran fine - no problems. My gas line is in great shape -- but that old tank needs some help. What kind of shop will "cook" it out? And what kind of work should I get done?? (besides cleaning and coating)

One last thing - where can I find a gas gauge at good price? (12 volt 55 Ford Club Sedan) My old one was working fine, but after pulling that thing out of the tank - She won't last long!!

Dan 

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Dan,

          Everybody's right on so far, I wouldn't worry, but do watch it and don't let it get hot. I have a 24 inch floor fan I set in front of mine. You need one of those in the summer anyhow!!

    

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Diggerdon, are you the same "Diggerdon" that has a machine shop in GA? If so welcome to the site, I've heard alot of good comments about your work and I am sure that you have a lot of info for those of us with less experience.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL