I have a leaking gas tank in my 4-door S-88 '56. This is the second leak I have to address and I think it's time to replace the tank. I have done some research and it seems there is no correct new tank available for this model. I have contacted "Tanks" and they have options. Their tank for the '55-'56 Chevy is one option but I believe the fill tube is located at the left rear corner of the tank and it would be a nightmare to direct it to the filler door. The other option is their '41-'54 Buick "universal" tank. It is about the same size overall and the fill tube is 13.5" from the front of the tank. The original has the fill tube 15" from the front (about dead center of the 30"). This one looks like it would be a relatively easy fit.
Has anyone out there done this retrofit? I'd appreciate any comments.
Thanks, RC

 

i had to replace the gas tank in my 54 and i ended up replacing it with a new tank for a 54 Buick. i searched all over the place for a direct replacement but never found one. with the flexibe fill tube it worked out just fine. hope this helps you.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1940-...Q5fAccessories

 

I just ordered the Buick tank w/sending unit. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Some 'free' advice - I just replaced one in my '55 (lucky to find a good used one in a parts car - not pretty but no leaks) - when I got all done the fuel gage was pegged "FULL" - with only about a gallon in - turns out that when I replaced the fuel line with about 6" of rubber, I broke the ground that the original steel line-to-the-frame provided...so if you have any intentions of using a rubber piece anywhere, add a supplemental ground wire to one of the sending unit screws and to the body...sucks dropping a tank once...nevermind twice!

 

Great advice!!

 

I had the "gage stuck to full" syndrome when I first bought the car. Turned out the wire from the dash to the tank was pinched under the frame. I ran a new wire and spliced it in at the tank and now it only goes to the "e" mark. I ordered a new sending unit with the tank with the condition that I can return it if the original checks "good" when I remove and test it. Thanks for the advice

 

Hey, Olds Dad, I just re-read your post and now I see what you are saying---the fuel line provides the ground!!!!! That's fantastic! I have some rubber hose in the line. It was from a previous owner having replaced some of the steel line. And, I have installed an electric fuel pump in-line w/rubber hose connections due to the original vacuum fuel pump being bad.
Thanks for the post. I will address this and maybe it will save me $39.00 for a new sending unit.

 

I completed the removal of the old tank and the installation of "Tanks" '41-'54 Buick Universal" tank in about one day (part of two days). No real problems. The tank is 30" wide and 27" long (front to back). It was a tight fit on the width.The L/R tank flange is touching the spring shackle. I filled the tank to 3/4 and drove it and don't find any problems yet. I'll keep driving it and keep a watchful eye. I ended up using the made in Tiawan sending unit. Mine tested bad. The wiring to the sending unit was wrong. I had to do some splicing and now the gas gage works. Nice to know how much gas is in the tank.
And thanks again to Olds Dad for the tip on the ground. I ran one from a sending unit screw to the frame and saved me some grief.

 

Glad it worked out for you - good to know that those tanks will fit. If you have them, a photo or two of the completed installation would be good to reference!

 

I know this is an old thread but where did you get a 39.00 sending unit
?I need one as my tank was reconditioned,i tried the ground wire trick and it was a no go,seeing i dont know what to expect for gas mileage i want to replace the sending unit.Thanks Glen

 

I purchased the $39.00 sending unit from "tanks". They have been bought out by either Yogi's or Speedway, can't remember which. But you can still contact them through their old phone number. Good luck.

 

looks like yogis for 35.00 .what do they meen do not include fuel pickup tube though?

 

I had to remove the screen and cut some of the p/u tube off. It wouldn't fit into the hole in the tank. Once I installed it, it worked fine. Mine came with the tube. Don't know what's available now. Question Yogi's about the tube.