Just bought a 73 Pinto, 1600, 4 speed off Ebay. I will pick it up this fall. My goal is to have a good gas mileage driver while setting it up for handling.
My problem is the exploding gas tank issue. What is the best fix? I heard of the plastic shield, but that does not seem like a good solution. Especially since the tank is in the crumble zone. Has anyone installed an aftermarket fuel cell in a manner that would be safer than the stock tank underneath?
I've been asking about this recently and doing a bunch of research as well. It seems the plastic is the best fix, if you are worried you can also do a rubber bladder inside the gas tank (I guess it requires being replaced every 5-6 years though) and that will keep the tank from leaking if it ruptures.
Where do you buy a bladder and how is it installed?
Those are good questions, and unfortunetly I have no good answer. Anybody else?
http://www.army-technology.com/contractors/protection/tss/
I came across this when I was researching some stuff for another project, they are probably really pricey and are in the netherlands, but it should be able to give you some ideas.
I have been looking at various fuel cells. It looks like I could mount one in the trunk above the rear axle and add a filler kit to be in the same fill location as the old tank. Then remove the old tank.
If I did that and removed the spare tire it ought to handle a lot better.
What ya think?
IF YOU feel better with the tank inside the structure of the car, and are comfortable that in the event of a crash it will do better than the stock tank and filler (not leak gas INSIDE your car), then go for it. IF you are not, and you don't like the stock set-up, well I don't know what to tell you.
As far as any improvement with handling, IMHO no; You will be raising the C.O.G., but with the stock suspension and tires you would not FEEL it anyway. Running without a spare is not something I would reccamend either.
Bill
Ages ago I had a 1972 Mercury Capri which had similar drivetrains as the Pinto. It had the gas tank in trunk behind the rear seat.
Back in the 80's I bought a Pinto station wagon that the person took out the spare tire and built a 40 gallon tank out of steel for the car it worked great for me. I know I only had to fill it up half as often. Karen
Hi and i can understand your worry. But I can tell you that the recall setup that might be on the car already is more than enough.
I have good friend that rebuilt a 72 hatch back in 82. His wife and 1 year old was i in the car when it was rear ended at 75mph at a red light by a 78 3/4 ton chevy truck.
No fire or gas spillage and his wife just had bumps, bruises and whiplash. The baby was fine. Car was absolutly destroyed though.
The only reason the tank ever had a problem was because of the 6 3/4 rear differental cover . It has a sharp edge all the way around it. The tank used to get split because of the impact up against the edge. ALSO the original filler tube was too short. It used to get pulled out of the tank and therby giving another spot to let the gas spill out.
The sparks from grinding metal against the spilled gas was the only reason for the fires. The car never really "exploded"
Anyways my 2c