Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

First, let me explain the nightmare this tank has caused....

I removed the old tank, threw it away and a few days later, proceeded to install the new tank. The tank itself fit fine, it was the filler neck that appeared to be clocked wrong. I contacted www.RockAuto.com and they offered to pay for the repairs to have a shop resolder the filler neck in the appropriate orientation.

I had the filled neck clocked and then had a BITCH of a time getting the tank reinstalled in the car - The neck was not allowing the tank to slide in; regardless of the tank's orientation. Finally got it in, only to find out that the filler neck was WAAYY to tall in the opening....

At this point, I'd spent over a week trying to get the issue resolved, driving 100 miles total to have the tank neck reclocked (to and from 2x; 25mi each way). I was seriously pissed that I was still having problems.

I finally decided to take everyone's advice and find a used, factory gas tank! I found someone actually willing to trade me his stock tank for my Spectra one (all he needed was the filler neck and the sending unit flange, he was making something for a rock crawler). Anyway, I picked his tank up last night, inspected it for corrosion, and noticed the filler neck was slightly bent down. This morning, I attempted to install it and noticed that the neck did indeed sit a little low in the opening. I then heated it with the torch, bent it back, and reinstalled. It finally fits, although I'll have to revisit the radiator shop because the neck was leaking on this tank and needs to be resoldered...

Here's what it looks like - Very small, but could obviously leak gas.



ANYWAY, returning to my thoughts on the Spectra tank. After reinstalling an OEM tank, I think there were two problems I was facing with the Spectra tank:

#1: The filler neck wasn't 100% alignment properly.

#2: After reading the post from TwoIfBySea, I may not have ever had the Spectra tank completely seated correctly, thus amplifying the original filler neck "problem". I won't fault Spectra completely here, but I will tell you this: I will NEVER buy another Spectra tank again. After talking to these local radiator shops, they're saying I can bring them my rusty stock tank, and they'll clean/refurb it along with doing a leak check and basically give me back a "new" tank for ~$200.

Long story short: Save yourself TIME, HEADACHE, and MONEY and just have your stock tank refurbished!


UPDATE: It is actually pretty easy to solder the filler neck back to the tank - I had some plumbing solder and some flux (and a torch); Heated the crack up, and filled it with solder - Should be good as new. I was going to use JBWeld or "Seal All" on it, but decided I'd better do it the RIGHT way. Hopefully the tank will be try on the inside by tomorrow (had water in it) and I can reinstall!

UPDATE #2: After having test fit these tanks like 10+ times in the car, I've learned one very crucial fact - The tank is not FULLY seated until the straps sit flat and the bolt hole on the strap is close enough to touch the nut on the car. If the bolt hole in the strap seems to be like an inch of more AWAY from the nut on the car itself, the tank isn't seated correctly. Keep that in mine when reinstalling the tank.

lonesomeloser

Dante,
thanks for the update. Good info. Too bad it gave you an ulcer.

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

....if I ever get this gas tank back in the car, it'll be a miracle!!

I had to get the water out of the tank last night and wound up using a pump to get most of it out. I then put my hand in the tank to find where the wet spots still were and discovered what basically feels like a thin layer of sand along one edge of the tank. When I looked at my hand, it definitely looked like black rubber pieces, about the size of a grain of sand. Since things were still wet in the tank, I decided to wait until morning and once dry, I'll try to loosen the stuff off the tank with a brush and then try to vacuum it out - I realize I won't get it all, but at this point, unless I want to spend another $200 on refurbing this tank, I don't see any other way....and my wife isn't gonna let me spend the extra $$. I wound up having to order another sending unit lockring/gasket yesterday. The gasket that came with the Spectra tank (or sending unit) is too large. It seemed to fit the Spectra tank and sending unit ok, but it definitely seemed too large for the stock tank - I wound up with about a 3/16" bulge where the gasket didn't fit the smaller diameter of the tank flange. ANYWAY, hopefully the Dorman replacement will fit better than the Spectra. I'll find out today when it arrives.

Fingers crossed!!

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

Dante, I would bet that the small grain-like pieces of rubber are from a previous owner replacing the fuel pump, and not using submersible fuel line to connect the pump to the sender. There is special gas line for this, at NAPA it's about $25 for a 6 inch piece, special order. That's my guess.

Good luck, dude. Working with these tanks really is a major headache!

Dante93GTZ

iTrader: (5)

I think I've got the correct in-tank fuel line, so all good there. You're probably right about what it is, though.

I just picked up my new sending unit gasket/lockring - I bought a Dorman one (#55810); Its definitely the right size, unlike the one Spectra supplied. Man, I hope my Spectra sending unit works for the long haul - So far I'm not impressed with much of their stuff...

92camaro_man

So i am interested in changing out my tank because it leaks gas. (I went through the whole recall thing and gm claimed there was no leak however I know there is a leak because i smell gas) I previously cleaned my tank with a process called electrolysis (youtube this it works great). But i want to change it out to have an 100% rust free tank and sending unit (so my gas needle can work). Spectra tanks seem to be the only option. The misalignment with the black plastic cover thing is not a major concern for me. The neck can rest on it a bit I don't mind. With all that being said should I still buy the tank?

This is what I plan on buying http://www.jcwhitney.com/basket/

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Check out hawks third gen, one of the sponsors on this board. They sell used, clean, serviceable, rust free gas tanks that they make sure work 100%. I have a spectra tank and yes, it works, but I'm not happy with the fit.

92camaro_man

is this a spectra tank as well? http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...fuel_tank.html

minnvike1

OK, so I installed the Spectra GM-2721B tank this weekend in my 92 Firebird. Same issues as a lot of folks have posted. The tank had to really be massaged into place, because the straps appeared to short. Once the tank was in, the filler neck was definitely off center of the fuel filler hole, but I was able to get the bezel in and the door. My issue now is the gas cap. My tank came with no gas cap from YearOne. I called Spectra and they say the cap is the Stant 10822. I can tell you that the stock cap and the Stant 10822 do not fit this filler neck. Does anyone know what cap may work?

Thanks,

hdavis2005

I used the same tank and had the same problem, but mine came with the cap. The cap is different from the stock cap because it would not work on the Spectra tank. Don't know what I will do if I ever need a new cap.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

My spectra tank came with a cap in the package when I ordered the tank from Autozone.

minnvike1

Do either of you see any numbers on the cap that fits, that may guide me in the right direction. At this point, it is a guessing game.

hdavis2005

I will check and post back later if I find anything.

minnvike1

Great. I was thinking, if u could post a photo of your cap from a side view, I could possibly count the threads and match it up. Thanks

-AO-

My Spectra 2721B uses the stock cap. I bought the tank 3 years ago though.

87bucketgta

I had the same problem, my tank did come with a cap, i notced my stock cap didnt fit, but i have an 87 gn stock tank with an stant cap from autozone some jackwagon stole mine awhile back, but the stant cap also fits both tanks so try that, might work for u

hdavis2005

I will post some pictures later. There are no numbers on my cap, but it does have a "M" in the middle of the cap. That could mean it a Murray cap sold at O'Reilly Auto Parts.

minnvike1

Well after a lot of time on the phone with Spectra, they are telling me the correct cap is a Stant 10819. Originally another Spectra employee told me it was a Stant 10822, but the 10822 is a replacement for the stock cap (which I already know does not fit). So I am hoping the 10819 is the winner. I will let everyone know.

Thanks for the reply's.

minnvike1

Yes, the Stant 10819 (Autozone#6819 is the correct cap for the GM-2721B Spectra tank

Genopsyde

iTrader: (2)

has anyone ever considered modifying the filler neck on these tanks to use a molded rubber hose w/ clamps, like the full size GM trucks/SUV's use?

I may try this and post results in the near future...

RAD5

You can get the tank from Spectra without the filler neck welded in place. The fill neck can be purchased separately. In theory, you could order the 2 parts and secure them with a hose and clamps.. or mark them once installed, and use pipe solder. I have installed a Spectra tank in the past and it fit perfect. The only issue I had was I could not fill it with gas at full squeeze on the pump. The pump kept clicking off. I could only pump gas at half squeeze. It acted like it was not venting properly when pumping gas.

jamon8

iTrader: (3)

that's how mine looked after I installed it and I am happy with it. I think dorman sells a tank as well maybe try them

dlinger

iTrader: (4)

We installed a Spectra tank I picked up at O'Reilly as it was available. We had to bend the filler neck on the old one to remove it. On install, we had to use pry bar through the gas cap door to massage into place. Once there, we had to use small block of wood and pry bar to bend filler neck to the center of the gas cap opening. We also had trouble getting straps fastened, but we were able to.

vengetta82

I'm having some issues with a spectra tank as well. I took my Camaro in to get its engine swap done, and wanted them to replace the tank because my old one was clogging the charcoal filter as well as the carburetor. Now, the filler neck sits in the lower left corner of the cap door. Whenever I go to fill the car, it back checks the pump and I can't get it to fill the tank more than 1/3 of the way full. Any suggestions?

podapoda

hi,its great to know about that is there any replacement for ferrai

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

I have to pull the pump out about half way from the tank before pumping gas or it'll pop the trigger on it. I also don't pull the handle all the way, only about 3/4. It seems that the Spectra tanks don't vent as well which causes problems like many of us experience.

dlinger

iTrader: (4)

We took a small angled (2-3" long) piece of wood, set it inside door on car sheet metal and pried it carefully with a pry bar until it sit centered into the hole.

Seems like every car new car I own has trouble being filled with gas. Like Ozz1967 said, pull it out a ways and 3/4 or less flow.