What material for gas tanks

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What metal should I use to build a gas tank for my truck?I'm leaning towards 3003al .080" but want to have some other options either in AL. stainless or mild steel.Thanks Steve
Reply:I would go with steel and then coat the inside with the stuff made for gas tanks. I have seen it in Hemmings Motor News.
Reply:Once upon a time, I was employed by a manufacture of after market gas tanks.  We used to build them from 12 gauge cold rolled mild steel.  The tanks were coated with a liquid plastic of some type to protect against corrosion, I don't know what it was though.
Reply:I had thought about using mild steel then coating the inside with that gas tank stuff and then using this new ceramic coating on the outside as it will be used as insulation under the truck cab and on the floor boards.doors and any where else I can squirt it.I guess I wanted to use Al 'cause the truck is going to be somewhat street rodded. Would 3003 be a good choice? Metal depot seem to have good prices and it could be shipped to my door free.Steve
Reply:Steve,what type vehicle and where are you putting the tank ?john
Reply:'56 chevy truck out back under the bed
Reply:Steve,do a little looking around...  try www.gastanks.com and look in the mustang section.I put a '60s model tank between the frame rails on my '53 for f-100 and it was nearly a perfect fit...   it's on 16 gallon but the later models 69-70 are 20 and 22 gallons... the site gives you dimensions and prices and you can check out my install athttp://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...stangtank.htmlmight give you some ideaslaterjohn
Reply:JohnYour install didn't come up. I had thought of using a Mustang tank after an article in "Classic Trucks". I made a frame out of wood to check dimensions and it seemed just a little too big but that is something I will look into further. Thanks for the web site on gas tanks.Steve
Reply:steve...try this one or you can go to the FTE (www.ford-trucks.com) and look in the tech articles section for my article...http://www.clubfte.com/users/jniolon...stangtank.htmljohn
Reply:John...tech article came through....excellent!!! Now I have to go out and take some measurments on the chassis. Am I to understand that the sizes given by gas tanks .com include the flange?Steve
Reply:oops also forgot to ask... is there a filler neck stub on the tank or do you have to order one of theirs and cut it to make the connection to the CoolCap or generic/Steve
Reply:I'll have to check on the dimensions... I don't know if it's flange to flange or the actual tank dimensions... I'll check tomorrow... as for the neck... there is a metal neck that extends about 1.5 inches out of the tank... I'd planned on using a flex rubber connector to make it fit up...   I liked daryls idea of moving the neck to the center of the tank and straightening it up... makes for an easier hookup I think...seems like I remember seeing a fuel tank article in the past few months in custom  truck or customclassic truck on your model truck and it was a mustang tank also... I'll look back and see what I can find..laterJohn
Reply:Thanks John. The article I was refering to was in "Classic Trucks" April '04 into a 60's Ford. As amatter of fact I just noticed he referred to yuor installation. Dang I'm talking to a star.Steve
Reply:Steve,tank dimensions given on their page are flange to flange..  I've attached a sketch to show what mine is on the 16 gallon tank (if I can) Attached Images
Reply:John ... thanks for the info . it looks like the Mustang tanks should work. Next challenge making the sender compatible.Steve
Reply:As for filler necks:  the 1.5" neck is there to attach a flexible hose to.  Solid filler necks are a hazard, and illegal.  The problem with the Pinto: solid filler neck on rear of vehicle.  Get rear ended, solid neck ripped the gas tank, go boom.  Only a few were made that way, but as you can see, it's bad news.