Steel or aluminium fuel tank

[Jeepster]

I recently decided to tackle the boot area and had a new floor welded in to replace the previous botch job. I also needed to replace the fuel tank and managed to find a second hand one on ebay that looked ok.
When filled with fuel the tank leaked like a sieve!
Well hindsight is a wonderful thing and I wish I had just gone out and purchased a new fuel tank.

My question is -

steel or aluminium? they are both about the same cost and the alu tank will be lighter but has anybody and experience of issues with either choice?

many thanks

 

[bighealeysource]

Hey Jeepster,
I would go with the aluminum one unless you are trying to be 100% authentic. Those tanks are usually more so if the same, sounds like a good deal.
Regards,
Mike

 

[Keoke]

Well: if you live in a high humidity area or leave your car set up for lomg periods, it might be a 50/50 choice . The water attracted by the alcohol in the petro will attack aluminum causing corrsion as well as causing rust in steel.

 

[RAC68]

I would check to see if there is a local servicer that seals gas tanks and have the one you purchased on e-bay coated.

About 7 years ago my TR7 fuel tank began to leak quite badly. Seeing the cost for a replacement was about ½ the value of the car, I decided to have my tank sealed. The tank was coated inside and out with something (I know not what) that left a solid rubbery surface that was impervious to everything. To date, the car has experienced both active driving and long periods of hibernation without any further problems.

Ray (64BJ8P1)

 

[healeyblue]

I would check to see if there is a local servicer that seals gas tanks and have the one you purchased on e-bay coated.

About 7 years ago my TR7 fuel tank began to leak quite badly. Seeing the cost for a replacement was about ½ the value of the car, I decided to have my tank sealed. The tank was coated inside and out with something (I know not what) that left a solid rubbery surface that was impervious to everything. To date, the car has experienced both active driving and long periods of hibernation without any further problems.

Ray (64BJ8P1)

I have used the company "gas tank renu" before on a Porsche 911 and it is like Ray says, it had a rubbery like inner coating.

 

[Frankenhealey]

Aluminium but make sure it's large enough for some extra range!

 

[Jeepster]

Looks good, but where do you put your golf clubs?

 

[Frankenhealey]

Have Healey - no time for golf

 

[Rob Glasgow]

I installed an aluminum tank about 13 years ago and have not had any issues. The orginal steel one took 40 years to rust through.