Topic: Any Tips on 1967 Shelby Gas Cap Removal?

[kkupec02]

I started to take my original gas tank out to treat surface rust around trunk edge, weld extra holes put in trunk 30 years ago for racing equipment and scope gas tank to make sure that it has no issues. Gas cap seems to be behind the rear taillight panel. Moving it around isn't freeing it from the panel. I take it to get the gas cap off, you have to take off the panel and probably the taillight housings as well?

[kkupec02]

ps, the bottom inside of the tank is rust free and clean. If the top inside of the tank is as well, I will be reinstalling it. The outside of the tank is currently bare metal on the trunk side with some flash rust. The underside is coated. Should I clear the top trunk side for protection and respray the underside with undercoat or leave the underside clean with maybe some clear as well?

[Bossbill]

I started to take my original gas tank out to treat surface rust around trunk edge, weld extra holes put in trunk 30 years ago for racing equipment and scope gas tank to make sure that it has no issues. Gas cap seems to be behind the rear taillight panel. Moving it around isn't freeing it from the panel. I take it to get the gas cap off, you have to take off the panel and probably the taillight housings as well?

Yes.
Isn't that great?

[Bob Gaines]

I started to take my original gas tank out to treat surface rust around trunk edge, weld extra holes put in trunk 30 years ago for racing equipment and scope gas tank to make sure that it has no issues. Gas cap seems to be behind the rear taillight panel. Moving it around isn't freeing it from the panel. I take it to get the gas cap off, you have to take off the panel and probably the taillight housings as well?

To get the complete pop open gas cap assembly off you have to take the bumper , inner tail light boxes  and tail panel off to get the gas cap assembly off . It is quite a involved job. The same goes for getting the gas tank out however you can get that out by sacrificing the gas filler neck rubber hose I am told but have never tried it. There is a service memo saying as much too . If you have the tail panel off for getting off the gas cap or inspecting the gas tank it would be prudent to just replace the gas tank . Not knowing what the inside of the tank looks like after 50 years it is good insurance. They are relatively inexpensive and the good ones are made just like the assemblyline finish and all . The amount of time it takes to replace one it is short sighted and pennywise and pound foolish to not replace given the opportunity IMO.  FYI the assemblyline gas tanks were not coated with anything other then the Terne steel finish to inhibit corrosion. The cheaper repros are painted silver.

[kkupec02]

Would you recommend a clear coat on the top of the new tank for rust protection? While I camera scoped my old tank and it is clean as hell, I did buy another one to install with the original finish and drain hole plug.

[Bob Gaines]

Would you recommend a clear coat on the top of the new tank for rust protection? While I camera scoped my old tank and it is clean as hell, I did buy another one to install with the original finish and drain hole plug.

Given a original look is desired a clear coat will typically change the look permanently of the terne Steel gas tank finish in a undesirable way. FYI It typically takes decades of exposure to degrade the gas tank finish . If you want to protect more then better to wipe on one of the rust inhibitor products like T9 instead of a paint clear coat . The inhibitor may change the look of the finish somewhat but will probably change back once it dry's to the touch.

[kkupec02]

Thanks. I will pm you in a few days. I have a few more old Mustang Monthly's that you may want.