Gas tank for '66; drain or no drain

All 65 to 70 Shelby had the gas tanks with drain plugs. There is one repro that is better the other repros but I can't remember the name . I believe it is the one NPD sells.

 

Is that absolutely correct Bob? I'm fairly certain 6S1757 still has the original gas tank and there is no drain plug. I've spoken with all the previous owners and as far as they can remember none has changed the tank.

 

6s2251 has the original tank and I dont think it has a drain plug. I will be home on monday and will check to make a positive id if you like.

 

Without a plug they were changed out at some point. Rust, damage and "restorations" are the common reason for replacement

 

I feel very comfortable in stating yes. Earlier responses were not based on "if Shelbys all had" but all Mustangs (since Shelbys - except R models) used the same tanks.

This has been the accepted standard for National Shelby and Mustang clubs for over 25 yrs (can't recall the exact date it was established - sorry) based on
thousands of examples. I do not know of one example of a tank without a drain plug that has been accepted as original. by either body or at a national show for all these years.


As for your example of an original 50K mile car. I would offer that 50K mile car is not very low mileage in most parts of this country given the possible use and storage issues our climate/owner dish out. Plenty of under 20K cars with the drain plugs.

At a car with no drain plug I would look for the stenciled part number, the steel factory's stamping date, the rubber hose and clamps at the sending unit, engineering number on the sending unit, retainers, sealer and a few other items to see if any were not original to the car.

 

I just went out and checked my cars, every one of them listed in my signature has a drain plug.

 

Hello to all! The date on a gas tank is/was done in ink and generally is part of the us steel graphic.It is under the trunk mat and as snakepit states the sender is also date coded.usually a number and letter like 5 F would be correct for a 1965 with a june or later build.The most common reason(s) for replaceing a gas tank should include backing over something.The nicest repo tank is from American Designers,and to my knowledge the sender is still available from ford but it will be a C8 part number.I would also replace all the rubber hoses while you are there..dont chance a fuel leak. P.D.

 

My original '67 has a drain plug on it.I just recently had the tank out and it is date stamped on the flange.It was not inked stamped but was actually stamped into the metal.Not sure if this was a change for '67's vs 66's though.If memory serves me correct,it was on the bottom of the flange and opposite side of the filler neck so the tank would have to be pulled out to see it.The date was within 2 weeks of my cars assembly at Ford.Hope this helps.....Greg.

 

Great informative thread here.. This is what we here can do best.
Thanks,
jimbo

 

Looks like (with everyone's help) the questions got answered.

Date when the sheet metal was formed

Date when the tank was made/formed


Lots of details .... once you start looking

 

Great thread, thanks for all the info. Guess I should start looking for a new tank with a plug.

This thread did prompt me to go through a bunch of old mag artlcles. The only one I found that appears to show an original tank without a plug is the March 1990 Fabulous Mustangs article on Bob Perkins low mileage Boss 302. The tank has a 69 date code stamp but I can't see a plug. Maybe just the way the pic was taked but from that angle I would have expected to see it.

 

Of course that would be a 70 Boss (only a few things done to pretty it up) and as Bob mentioned early 70's are not expected to all have the drain plugs (first year)

Jeff

 

Thanks Jeff but I guess I'm a bit confused by this. From what I'm gathering on this thread ALL 65-70 Mustang gas tanks should have the drain plug OEM. Where Bosses different? Also, I may have missed it but I see no mention of drain plugs by Bob in that FM article.

Dave

 

Sorry thought Bob had... but if you read Bobs note above it refers to 70 Shelbys - the left over 69's so they would still have tanks made in 68-69.

In any case 70 Mustangs (not specifically Boss's) were made without the drain plugs.

For showing purposes at MCA the current rules state "Gas Tank: Original type and Ni-terne steel finish. Drain plug, 69 - either. 70-71 - no plug. 70 cars with DSO 71 and 72 may have special tank with vapor return system"



Sorry for the confusing response

 

Thanks for the clarification Jeff.