Gas Tank Design for 1969 Cobra Torino

[dc2295]

Hello everybody,

Although I'm not a Shelby owner, I have been told by my friend Ron Widener that you guys/ladies would be able to help me out.

I'm restoring my dad's original 1969 Cobra Torino with the 428CJ drag pack.

A few weeks ago I sealed up the gas tank using the POR-15 sealer kit and I have a few questions regarding the plumbing of the tank...

First the background on this tank. There are two hose nipples that are placed to the side of the filler neck nearest the rear of the car. One nipple is larger than the other. There is a molded rubber hose and a steel tube that runs from the nipples to the rear of the trunk, then finally to the bottom of the vechicle. My guess is that this is a vapor release tube. Any additional coments concerning this vapor release tube are welcome.

Inside the tank there is a steel tube that runs from one of these nipples that ends near the location of the fuel sending unit (which is mounted on the opposite end of the filler neck). Do you know what the tube inside the tank is for?

In order to keep from clogging up these two nipples, I placed a rubber fishing lure inside the large nipple and a wooden dowel inside the smaller nipple. Well, the sealer did such a good job sealing that it froze the dowel in place on the smaller nipple. Do you know if that smaller nipple is just a through hole to the tank? If so, all I will have to do is drill out that nipple to get the dowel out. I might be in trouble if that smaller nipple is connected to that inner tube.

Thanks for your assistance! I can supply a picture of the inside of the tank if you need one.

Dave

[Ron61]

TTT

Answers Please.

[trularin]

Okay, as I remember this from ages ago.

One tube is a vent that pre-dates the Charcoal Canister found on many 1970 plus cars. It vents to the outside ( I think ) and may have a check valve connected to the end via a rubber hose.

The other tube is a must. It goes between the filler neck and the tank an vents the air displacement as fuel is entering the tank. This MUST be installed or the fuel caughs back on the filler hose and all over the ground.

Provided you did this as a tank-out-of-body, you should have the seal plate with a rubber gasket or O-ring. The O-ring should be coated with light grease or vasiline. ( Ron will tell you I can not spell ). There should be two studs, bolts or electrical connection on the plate. One goes to ground and the other goes to the cockpit harness. There should be two tubes on the plate as well. ( Lord, please help me remember from 30 years ago ). One tube, the one that is bent to the side and goes all the way to the bottom of the tank with a screen on it, is the fuel to engine supply. The other, a short tube that just pops throught he bottom of the plate, is the filler tube vent. As I remember, there is either a rubber hose or steel line that runs from the last tube to the bent nipple at the filler neck.

What a mess. If you still have the tank out, put about a mason jar of gas in it and slush it around and pour it out. Examine the gas for debrie. Once the tank is clean on the inside, grease the gasket or seal and install the plate checking the float as you lower the assembly in the tank. Force the ring on the bung to lock the plate. DO NOT USE A STEEL HAMMER!!! Use a brass punch and hammer to gently force the ring on.

If you are replacing straps, try to get SS.

Hope this helps. Ron is a good person, I only hope I answered your question.