MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
This may be a dumb question, but I am in the market for a new gas tank for my 1963 MGB; should the tank be galvanized? It seems that most available are not. Maybe this is because of how they are constructed with internal baffles. I am not a big fan of inside tank coatings since modern fuel pretty much "digests" any coating / sealer out there.
Any advise appreaciated or if you have a good early MGB gas tank for sale.
Thanks,
Jeff
Depends on cost... nothing wrong with the regular steel tank, especially if your MGB is going to be garaged. It'll last for years.
If the galvanized tank is less not much more than the cost of a steel one, go ahead.
Jeff, not likely to have much rust from the inside. Most tanks "fail" on the top side where it meets the trunk floor. I used roll on bed liner to coat the outside-should last for a while, I'd think
As Mike says, if the price is comparable, get the galvanized one. These can be painted once you use a cleaner on the galvanized metal. I put one on my V8 a while back and have had no issues. I painted it black with regular paint after using a "galvanized-metal primer".
Either way, for added protection, apply lots of paint or as George says, bed-liner material on the top. You can roll or brush it on. Most tanks rust on the top due to dirt getting caught up there while driving. There's no air flow nor any way to wash the top off so dirt sticks.
You can also buy stainless steel tanks. I have one in my BGT. It was installed nearly 30 years ago and still looks like the day it was purchased. They do cost a bit more but perhaps not so much more than a quality steel tank plus the cost of galvanizing. Just a thought...
I don't know of anyone making a galvanized unit. Galvanized is usually used only for water protection. I am unsure it would be compatible with gasahol etc.
Stainless today would be REAL expensive me thinks. All my gas tanks were installed at the factory and I haven't had any problems yet...1939 being the oldest....
It isn't necessarily the age, it's what the tank has been through. My '49 has the original tank in good order but the '67 was done for after only 13 years. Water internally can rust through the bottom although not nearly as readily as the top will rust on a car used in a wet climate. A good coat of rust-proofing paint will of course prevent this indefinitely.
Stainless steel tanks for early MGB are currently $285, same as aluminum. I don't know what later model tanks are going for.
Steve,
Could you point me to the vendor of the stainless or aluminum tanks for $285.
Thanks
Hi Shareef, I don't have a source for later stainless tanks, only early ones. I'm not sure where you can get late stainless tanks since Moss stopped selling them a few years ago.
There are plated tanks on eBay at great price: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390113449933
Also there is a seller on eBay in San Diego, CA who makes stainless tanks for MGs but I'm not sure if he makes them for later Bs.
Steve,
Thanks for the info. I will be very interested in a stainless steel gas tank for my 1963 MGB for $285. I didn't see anything on the "bay"; do you have a link? The only one I found was an uncoated mild steel tank from someone in CA; this one was about $270.
Thanks
Jeff