Bought a new fuel tank from Rockauto.com for my 85. Spectra Preminum part# GM2721B. Filler neck was not welded in proper position and had to be heated and rebent to proper placement. Also tank is slightly oversized and had to be "massaged" in a couple of places to make fit. Filler neck also is not as ridged as OEM and bends down slightly when you put gas in it. All in all, a POS. Problem is no one else makes a tank for these cars(OEM) style. Finally got it in and using a new Walbro pump car now runs fine. Just a shame that a manufacturer cannot build something to fit that is a common part. Badman

 

Sucks about the shitty quality. I've heard of people swapping in the plastic (99-02) tanks when doing LS1 swaps. That might be a better solution. Why were you looking into an aftermarket tank?

 

OEM tank was rusting inside and plugging fuel pump pickup strainer. Was simply not repairable.

 

Thanks for the review. Now that I think about it, I'm probably due for a new tank too. I can push and pull on the fuel neck and it makes a clunking noise... That can't be normal

 

BADMAN, I know this is an old thread but I'm having the same problem with this piece of crap tank.
Just wanted to echo what you had said so others can know what to expect. I'm currently trying to figure out how to get the filler neck in the right spot.
The tank is in as far as it can go (with some massaging) but the filler neck is so far down I can't get the plastic cover back around it.
I'm gonna see if I can get someone around here to fix my stock tanks filler neck (yeah it was leaking) and if so, I'll put that one back in and run this piece of junk over! What a waist of money.

 

I actually found a OEM tank that was in perfect shape and pulled that POS and gave it away. I lost money on the deal too, hope people read this and learn like we did.

 

So let me get this straight, you put the Spectra tank in (with modification) and then later on you ripped it back out and put an OEM one back in? That's it, your now know as Madman. lol j/k
Ok so tell me with the OEM one that you put in, did you reinforce the neck or have it re-braised?
If I get the neck re-braised I'm thinking about trying to put some sort of strapping around the neck (maybe with some foam for vibration dampening and so it doesn't rattle) just so hopefully the braise doesn't crack again....

 

I'm guessing that the filler neck is cracking due to the gas nozzle at the pumps being to heavy and putting stress on the neck...

 

you had to drop the rearend right?

 

Yes otherwise there is not enough room. You don't have to totally remove the rearend you can leave the control arms connected just disconnect the brake line and the panhard bar and brace. This will allow you to lower the rearend enough to pull out and put back the fuel tank. Just an FYI Goodmark Industries makes a replacement fuel tank/ filler neck . I don't know what the quality or fit is but just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

The Goodmark tank is a Spectra with a black anti-corrosion finish on it. A POS with camo. I had to replace the Spectra due to the fact that the flimsy filler neck cracked after about 6 months. Not happy about doing the job twice. Bottom line: If you need a new gas tank,go on this board and ask for a used OEM. They are out there at reasonable cost.

P.S. I did not reinforce the filler neck on the OEM because it was good and strong,in fact you can pick up the tank by it and it will not bend. I can say it may be a good idea to reinforce,can't hurt.

 

Man that really sucks dude!!!!!!! I just bought this tank like a few day ago!!!!!!!! Man, hope i got a good one!!!!!!

 

Good to know!

 

I just pulled a Spectra tank from a parts car, the neck was in the right spot, it came out with no issues at all, and it's plenty strong. Tank still has several gallons of gas and I picked it up by the filler neck and it was not moving one bit.
Just my experience. Not saying they are good or bad.

Problem with OEM tanks is most are 17 years old and older.

 

Yeah I've read a few different posts on here about people replacing their gas tanks, and no one has said anything bad (other than us). I mean the spectra is the only one out their right now so they must have some that are good and some that are no good. Either that or all the good ones have been modified.
When I have the tank installed (straps are bolted on) the filler neck hits on the frame. There's a huge opening there but I'm not about ready to try and bend the neck for fear of breaking the braise. I have heard of people on here, heating up the neck and bending it though....

 

Ok, I test fitted the tank today, slid right in with no problem, get out from underneath the car and I could already tell the neck was way off, no way the door was going back on. Took the tank back out took it to my mechanic torched it and pulled it just a hair. Fits good now. So I hope thats it for that!!! The neck was alittle low

 

So can you get the black plastic surround on that goes around the filler neck? Oh and the gas door?

 

at first no I was starting to panic, but after we torched it yes everything slid right in

 

hmmm, maybe I'll give that a shot.... I hate to waste all this money on a useless tank... by the way, welcome to the board!

 

Thanks man, Like I said just a test fit today, Im waiting on my pump so wont know for a while if everything comes together!! But after I torched it the neck was still alittle low but the black thing did go right over it and the door went right on. Ive been lurking on the board for awhile now just havent really posted much, Im at the gta source page mostly but been dead over there past 6 months!!
www.fquick.com/87bucketgta

 

Could you just put in an LS1 tank, and drop in the sending unit/pump? Or is it a totaly different location?

 

I haven't really read a lot about the LS1 tank but it sounds like it takes a different sending unit and the charcoal canister has some issues as well. There's some good threads about all of this but you'll have to do a quick search to find them.

 

Anyone else had any experience with this tank?? I just ordered it for my Formula and hope that maybe they've made some adjustments in their mfg process.

 

Reread this thread.Then go find a good used OEM tank. It has been,and always will be,a POS.(Spectra TanK)

 

I've looked for used, and found nothing but absolute junk around here... I'm going to run the Spectra tank and hope everything works out - The car it's going into isn't going to be driven as a DD, so I'm sure it will work fine for my app.

 

My stock tank was cracked at the filler neck so I put a new Spectra tank in and it works great. No problems.

I think there is a recall on the stock tanks. I just didn't want someone else working on my car.

 

Did you get the one with the filler neck on it or the one with the separate filler neck? How long ago did u purchase?

 

I got the single piece tank that had the neck welded on. It's been in the car for a few months now.

 

Did you have the same experience installing it that everyone else seems to? With the filler neck being out of correct shape?

[edit] Oh yeah, here's why I'm replacing this tank (its sludge-filled):

 

The cap sits about 1/2" forward. I can still fill up though.

 

I used the spectra tank and it fit well. It seemed to be well built.

 

I'm thinking of buying (another) one of those fandangled plastic tanks for the 87 and storing it away for the future.

 

I just put a spectra tank in my 84 T/A and while the tank went in ok, had to massage it in a bit, the filler neck sits roughly two inches too low. I had to bend and torque on it to get it in placeand it still "rests" on the bottom of the black plastic inside the tank filler door. Something popped inside the tank, hope it's not bad but I'm not taking it out again until I have to. 4 months now and no issues. OE tank was rusing and kept clogging fuel filters and ruined one pump.

 

Every Spectra product I've ever used has been made wrong in some way. Not just nit-picking either, heater cores and gas tanks wrong shape, and a sending unit with a plastic connector that was so cheap it wouldn't connect to the fuel pump.

Cheapo repops. Badman is right, used is a higher quality alternative.

 

x2

 

I got my one piece spectra tank in today. The neck does sit a little low, but I am going to heat the plastic surround and mold it just a bit.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/memb...fuel-tank.html

 

I wouldnt buy a spectra lug nut.Everything i`ve seen from them either doesnt fit properly or brakes.Cheap,cheap,crap.

 

Let's hope my new tank will leak fuel onto the exhaust. It said made in Canada on it, so if I'm still alive, I'll blame our neighbor to the North.

 

A few years back my friend was building a realy nice 64 el camino, we were just out of high school, and this was a very nice car - so he worked really hard and put alot of money/time into it - any way, he plumbed the fuel line to the carb with a spectre clear fuel filter from the local parts store. Upon breaking in his brand new roller small block with vortec heads, air gap intake, demon carb, yadyada ... the spectre fuel filter just came apart, caused an engine fire and about four grand worth of damage.

On another note, from now on any time I buy an aftermaket part that is just plain crap ( I dont mean a little off but something crappy like the early posts in this thread ) I call the company and tell them in hopes that maybe the next guy who buys one wont get the crap I got.

 

These suppliers that sell parts that are of substandard quality are well aware of thier own shortcomings.

They are catering to the cheapskate that is trying to keep his old sh!tbox running, not to the hobbyist.

 

I got 1 about 2 yrs ago we had to notch the car where the filler neck came through. It is junk. But its worked fine since.

 

I finally was able to get my Spectra tank installed - The filler neck is definitely WRONG, but the rest of it fit fairly well (although I did have to get some longer strap bolts because the tank was just different enough to where the straps were a tad short.

As for the filler neck - I'm not 100% how I'll fix that - It's too far forward at this point - Since I foolishly put gas in the tank already I'm not sure heating the neck and re-bending is a "safe" option.

 

An update on my Spectra tank.

I called RockAuto, where I bought the tank and they offered a few solutions, including replacing the tank. I asked them if they would let me take it to a shop to have it rewelded/soldered in the correct orientation. They agreed to reimburse me to have this work done (it saves them money and me time). I dropped the tank off at a radiator shop about an hour ago - I'll have it back today or tomorrow.

Here is how bad it started out:



I'll letcha know how it goes; but so far, big thumbs up for RockAuto!

 

Wow! Almost looks as if the tank isn't into position. Glad to hear Rockauto is helping you out. Maybe you could send Spectra this picture.

 

Mine isn't that bad, so I can live with it but...some day I'm going to swap it out for a used one from hawks or some place like that.

 

Looks like it isn't in position, but it is. I'll be picking the tank back up in a couple hours and reinstalling - Hopefully all goes better this time.

 

That was my first thought, too. I installed my "Goodmark" (Spectra) tank 2 years ago, and it took several attempts to get it right. I can remember one attempt that ended with the neck way off like that picture, and I have bad memories of the strap bolts being too short. Finally, the back of the tank (the long end parallel with the back bumper) popped into place. I wasn't expecting it to happen, and I thought I had broken something, but as soon as this happened, everything fit into place. The strap bolts were perfect.

The neck is still not perfect, but the black plastic insert fits, and I can remove the gas cap and fuel up fine. I'll take a picture tonight.

 

Definitely take a pic - Those symptoms you described sounded exactly like my problem - The neck was off and the bolts seemed too short.

 

Took this tonight, sorry it's not all that clear. I can try again if you want me to, but I think this sums it up.

I bought from Goodmark especially to avoid a Spectra tank, and paid quite a premium in the process. Imagine my disappointment when the Spectra tank was delivered.

 

www.gas-tank.com can repair your old tank.