Fuel tank straps...

[Jim Saraceno]

While I have the fuel tank out, I've cleaned up and repainted the straps. There had been some material used to cushion the straps, it almost looked like tar paper.

I was thinking of buying a tube for a bicycle, cutting a piece off and putting it over the straps instead. Can anyone think of any reason why I shouldn't?

[Don Coatney]

No reason why you should not. But do run an electrical ground wire to your tank to insure it has a good ground connection to the frame.

[Jim Saraceno]

Ah-ha! Good idea. Yes, I want to do that. Thanks!

[Plymouthy Adams]

that is what I used with my straps when I built my cradel and shifted the tank left..these are the original straps

 

Edited May 20, 2017 by Plymouthy Adams

[1948dodge]

I used leather belts from the Goodwill store, and glue them to the metal straps.

[oldmopar]

I my tank up with just the straps. Does not seem to move why would you need to cushion it.

[Jim Saraceno]

Well Oldmopar... I'm not sure:confused: There were cushions when I took them off and the thought of metal to metal just didn't seem right.

I just thought it was necessary. Maybe I need to rethink this.

Of those of you who have dropped your tank, were your straps cushioned or not?

[oldmopar]

Well my tank was off when I got this car I had dropped a tank on a 49 few years back and do not recall any padding.

My thinking was if I had material between the tank it would either hold moister and cause rust but as some pointed out rubber would work and would not hold water. Now the way I think is not always the right way its just the way I think so don't go by what I do but I am curious to what the answer is.

Ed

[Norm's Coupe]

When I dropped my old original tank I had the same type cushions mentioned, both between the straps and tank, and between the floor and tank. I replaced my old tank with a new poly tank. Even so, I used rubber between the straps and new poly tank and between the floor and poly new tank. Of course with the poly tank I would not need to worry about sparks or as much rattling if it slid around. My reasoning was to keep any excess wear from the tank against the metal floor or straps.

You should have some type cushion there.

[billwillard]

No padding needed.

[Joe Flanagan]

Just for the record, mine were not padded. I just took the tank out a couple weeks ago. Does anyone know if you can get replacements?

[Norm's Coupe]

Just for the record, mine were not padded. I just took the tank out a couple weeks ago. Does anyone know if you can get replacements?

Joe

What the stuff looked like to me was just like asphalt impregnated Jute like they use to use for repairing roofs. I used rubber from an old innertube to replace mine. However, if you want just pick up a 6" wide roll of asphalt impregnated fiberglass roof membrane repair material from the local lumber yard big box. That's what replaced the old jute membrane if you want it look more original. Just cut to length and fold in half so it's only 3" wide, or fold in thirds to get a two inch wide and thicker material.

[JerseyHarold]

When I dropped the tank on my '52 Cambridge a number of years ago, I don't recall any sort of padding or insulation between the strap and the tank. It may be that the older cars had them but by '52 they eliminated them due to cost. There were lots of subtle changes between '51 and '52 Plymouths and many of them appear to have been made with an eye towards saving money.

Harold

[David Maxwell]

...is to prevent squeeks. Not necessary, but anything that can help reduce road noise is a good idea in my book. Might as well put the innertube material on while you have it apart.