Gas Tank, After Market tanks Options

[914racer]

I just realizes that there are a number of sources for new gas tanks. Does anyone have experience with different tanks or are they all manufactured by the same source? Are they all the same? I also would like to know specifically what the difference is between the early (70-74) and the later tank design.
Thanks

[mgphoto]

Dansk makes the tank, 2 versions, early with evap, later no evap.

[76-914]

I just realizes that there are a number of sources for new gas tanks. Does anyone have experience with different tanks or are they all manufactured by the same source? Are they all the same? I also would like to know specifically what the difference is between the early (70-74) and the later tank design.
Thanks

Differences, afaik, are mounting tabs and their respective locations. You can cut them off and weld them onto your new tank. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[76-914]

I see Sierra Madre currently has the tanks on sale for $186.00. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Van B]

Specifically, it’s just the evap mounting bracket on the drivers side of the tank that changes for early and late, correct?

[914sgofast2]

I see Sierra Madre currently has the tanks on sale for $186.00. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Be careful with Sierra Madre. I believe they sell only the later style of tank. I needed an early version. Ended up returning the new tank to Sierra Madre, at my expense, in order to get a refund. Their website did not explain the difference when I bought it about 6 months ago. The website had said the tank fits all years, yet it lacks the mounting tabs needed for the evap system on earlier cars.

[wonkipop]

Specifically, it’s just the evap mounting bracket on the drivers side of the tank that changes for early and late, correct?

yes.

-------

changeover date is during 74 model year.
PET is incorrect as it states end of 73 model year.

changeover pin pointed to end of first three weeks of Nov 73.
either side of weekend 18/19 November.
Vin number in range either side 4742909000.
all 74 2.0 L 914s bult before that date and vin have early gas tank and frunk char. can.
first three weeks of 1.8s are same.
after that tank changes and can goes to engine bay.

plastic expansion tank change is much later in May of 74.
causes no change to basic metal fuel tank.

[Van B]

Thanks @wonkipop . Just wanted to make sure there wasn’t some other bracket or form difference that wasn’t observable without a direct comparison. I got my new tank on order today!

[mlindner]

914racer, I went this direction so roll cage could go to the suspension points.

[Van B]

A complementary question to 914racer, what are community thoughts on preemptively sealing a new tank? I’ve been looking at the caswell kit as it seems to be the most highly regarded epoxy formula for petrol amd ethanol resistance.

[gnomefabtech]

I don't want to be one of those safety know it alls, but I'm not sure it's a great idea to move the tank to the crumple zone of the car like that. Is that an FIA cell with foam and a bladder etc?

BTW the build craft of that car is really beautiful.

[Superhawk996]

A complementary question to 914racer, what are community thoughts on preemptively sealing a new tank? I’ve been looking at the caswell kit as it seems to be the most highly regarded epoxy formula for petrol amd ethanol resistance.

No, no, no. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) Don’t wreck a new tank with aftermarket (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stromberg.gif) sealer. That crap eventually delaminates and then you end up with a clogged fuel system.

An unsealed tank will outlive you.

@“van b”

As with all paint - prep is paramount. How are you going to guarantee that you get every last bit of stamping die lube out of the weld seam. Too many things to go wrong inside a tank you can’t see. Besides that - there are very few paints or epoxies that survive well long term when immersed in fuel. Many stock tanks are still in great shape 50 years later.

Keep the tank full when in long term storage and you won’t have problems.

[Van B]

Ok jeez! I won’t lol!

But for the record, I could get the tank clean and dry. Bake, acid wash, water wash and agitate, bake again. I would lose the paint on the outside too but that’s an easy fix.

But for the record, I would rather have a plastic tank that fits like OE.

[Superhawk996]

But for the record, I would rather have a plastic tank that fits like OE.

Me too. But I’m not holding my breath on someone tooling up blow molding dies.

So you could sense the passion eh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Van B]

We’re on the same frequency, you and I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[wonkipop]

@Van B and @Superhawk996 .

interestingly VW developed and introduced the plastic fuel tank first. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
it was in the 1972 (MY 73) VW passat.

hence the plastic expansion tank in the 914 late 74! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
pity indeed they did not think to go the whole hog with a plastic tank 914.

one of those bits of trivia i learned thanks to the ford ute.
ford australia flew in a VW tank expert/consultant in 1975 to assist with development of a plastic tank for the aussie falcon. ended up being an australian first in 78/79 when they came out. ford were after the weight saving.

porsche used the tech with the then new 928.

these days a lot of those early 928s still going suffer from plastic tank syndrome.
i think it sort of produces a sludge inside the tank as they are now finally breaking down.
so maybe.....its just as well we have metal tanks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Van B]

No, I definitely think plastic is better.

Too bad the 914 missed the boat on the technology change...

[Van B]

There is definitely an in between version on these tanks. I got my late model tank in today from SMC and it isn’t right. The tabs for the expansion tank are wrong. This tank has one tab in the middle but nothing on the passenger side. My tank has no evap mount just like my replacement, but I have two vertical tabs for the expansion tank

Then of course there is the early with the evap mount on the drivers side.

The deal I got on this tank though is enough to make me not care. I have no problem cutting the tabs off the old tank and moving them over.

[wonkipop]

There is definitely an in between version on these tanks. I got my late model tank in today from SMC and it isn’t right. The tabs for the expansion tank are wrong. This tank has one tab in the middle but nothing on the passenger side. My tank has no evap mount just like my replacement, but I have two vertical tabs for the expansion tank

Then of course there is the early with the evap mount on the drivers side.

The deal I got on this tank though is enough to make me not care. I have no problem cutting the tabs off the old tank and moving them over.

yep
that whole fuel tank evolution thing just slipped right by the wicket keeper in the PET catalogue and henceforth down at the dansk factory? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

we all have the mystery fuel tank. classic. rare. etc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

they just conveniently re-wrote their own history as if they went plastic on the expansion tank and VW on the cannister plumbing at the start of 74 MY.
but we know the germans got a bit out of order and a bit out of line despite their perfect panzer tank mentality. ordnung uber alles - yeah sure! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

we know the EPA were ripping them a new ar#eho$e in mid 73 and really working em over down there in VW-ville.

thats why the 1.8 is a classic mate.
001 on the AFM and lots of technological evolutionary chaos.
74. collect em. LOL

[Front yard mechanic]

So plastic tanks are better (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) maybe plastic fuel lines would be better too