This forum is for all years of the Ford Galaxie and all other Full-size Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury cars. This is a place to share information, skills, pictures, and stories for the purpose of building friendships and furthering the enjoyment and restoration of these cars |
Offline
So At the car show last month I noticed a drip...drip..drip... from the fuel tank. After many many fruitless searches arrived at there not being a repro tank for a '65. Got a '66 tank and made straps with 1/8"x1"x6' steel that I found and Ace Hardware. So for any of you looking for a new tank for a '65 read this public service announcement: THE GAS TANK RIDE FOR THE 1965 GALAXIE IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED. MOVE TO THE '66.
You'll gain a little range in the switch, but be aware that the '66 tank hangs about 3" lower will post photos.
Offline
So here's the finished product pics. A couple of notes worth mentioning is that you will have to make a grommet for you filler pipe to the tank, or find a size with the correct i.d and o.d. The tank hangs lower and requires that you find longer straps, or make a set like I did. Cost of the straps was around $12 buying the stock at the local Ace Hardware. Yess the tak hangs lower and the angle of the pic makes it look a little worse that it actually is. That being said, make sure you have good springs/shocks as if you have a "bounder" when you hit bumps, you are gonna' run into some trouble with this tank. I am going to install a spring spacer to raise the chassis a touch to help out a little bit. My spring and shocks are new. I just don't want to leave my fuel tank on the road or chance doing that.
Offline
I did this same mod on my '65 several years ago. Aside from the longer straps, I recall having to tweak the filler neck a bit too, but it worked out ok. Standing behind the car you can see the tank, but it doesn't appear as an obvious change or something that someone would point a finger at. The dual exhaust pipe needed to be tweaked a bit too, but no issues- works good.
Offline
My pipes cleared the tank, but they were installed so close the the inner edge of the rear tires, that I couldn't fit my pinky between the tire and pipe. Next thing in the list, I guess. You're right about it not being too obvious. The old tank hung down far enough to be seen, so once I paint it black, I don't think it will be obvious at all.
I can see why there were so many of these on the road when I was a kid. My '65 rides better than my'07 Marquis when it was new. Crazy considering how old it is.
Last edited by guitar74 (July 31, 2017 5:17 pm)