57 Chevy Gas Tank
Holding Band Repair
Oh what a Gas!
Railroad Tracks, GoodGuys Car Show and OMG!
-by Alan Arnell
Rust damaged trunk deck allows gas tank holding bands to fail, allowing the gas tank to fall out.
...as I pumped in about ten gallons (of gas) when a red Ford screeched to a halt behind my car. A man jumped out and yelled, “Stop! I was chasing you to tell you your gas tank is falling out!”
Every fall North Texas is blessed by having the annual Good Guys Rod and Custom Show held at the Texas Motor Speedway located north of Fort Worth.. The show is a must see for any car enthusiast. I have gone several times over the years and thoroughly enjoyed seeing over 1500 rods, customs and classics, muscle cars at each show in the infield of the Texas Motor Speedway. I also enjoyed checking out the vendors and manufacture exhibits along with the swap meet.
Every fall North Texas is blessed by having the annual Good Guys Rod and Custom Show held at the Texas Motor Speedway located north of Fort Worth.. The show is a must see for any car enthusiast. I have gone several times over the years and thoroughly enjoyed seeing over 1500 rods, customs and classics, muscle cars at each show in the infield of the Texas Motor Speedway. I also enjoyed checking out the vendors and manufacture exhibits along with the swap meet.
Back in the 2002 when I first bought my Chevy I showed my car at the show. The highlight of the event was being able to drive the Chevy three laps around the speedway.
Several years later, I decided I wanted to go to the show as a spectator. It was such a nice day; I decided to take the Chevy, even though I was not going to enter the show. The trip to the speedway was only thirty five miles. I had a half a tank of gas therefore; I decided instead of buying gas on the way, I would buy gas on the way back.
With music blaring out the rear Jensen speakers over the roar of the dual exhausts, I am grinning ear to ear from my drive though the country in my Classic Chevy.
Being able to drive the Chevy on the trip to the speedway, in itself, was an enjoyable event. When I started, I had to make a decision between two different routes to drive to the show. For fun of it, I chose going through Flower Mound, driving on Farm to Market Road 1171. After you get out of the city limits of Flower Mound the road at that time was a pleasing two lane winding blacktop. With music blaring out the rear Jensen speakers over the roar of the dual exhausts, I am grinning ear to ear from my drive though the country in my Classic Chevy. Mostly, I drive in the city so, getting out in the countryside at highway speeds was extremely enjoyable. I looked at the usual sites, the ‘Tour 18’ golf course, horse farms and lakes and trees as I navigated the horse country road. One exceptionally fun activity is driving fast over a set of railroad tracks, jumping them, along the way. Every time I jump them, I swear I am lifting all four wheels off the pavement.
When I drive my Chevy anywhere it is always an adventure. I never know what is going to break or fall off. However, my tip to the track was uneventful and pleasurable. I found a great spot in the front row of the parking lot and made my own mini car show, rolled up the windows then walked into the speedway for several hours of contentment at GoodGuys Rod and Custom Car Show DFW.
Cool link to the 2016 GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association Schedule: FULL THROTTLE FUN!!
Cool link to the 2016 GoodGuys Rod & Custom Association Schedule: FULL THROTTLE FUN!!
Having had all I could absorb, I finally called it a day and headed out of the show. I must have walked five miles at least that day. I made an effort to see every row of show cars and vendor booths. Finally, I arrive back at my parking spot. I jumped into the Chevy and headed for the house. For added adventure, I decided to take another route home. Not 2 miles into the return trim I noticed my gas gage was indicating just under a quarter of a tank of fuel, the danger zone! My route to the show however enjoyable was lacking in gas stations. Consequently, I decide to take Highway 114 through Grapevine. After crossing Highway 35 West a nice large gas station loomed into view. Without enough gas to get home, I pulled into the station for some go juice.
The tank was, as we say in Texas, “catawampus”
Nonchalantly, I pulled up to the pumps and inserted the pump nozzle. Humming the last song I listened on my car’s radio, I had pumped in about ten gallons, when a red Ford screeched to a halt behind my car. A man jumped out and yelled, “Stop! I was chasing you to tell you your gas tank is falling out. I tried to tell you sooner but, I got caught at the traffic light.” Immediately, I stopped the flow of gas from the pump to step back for a quick look under my car. Sure enough, one of the tank’s straps was completely off the tank and dragging on the ground. The tank was, as we say in Texas, “catawampus” or, hanging half out at a forty five degree angle. I can not tell you what first came out of my mouth, but I will say I thanked my Good Samaritan.
I pulled the car over to the side of the station lot to survey the situation. My first thought was what happened? It must have been the railroad tracks! My second thought was I can fix it.
I crawled under the rear of the Tri-Five Chevy. Luckily, I the car is jacked up in the rear making for enough room for me without jacking the car up. Lying under the car I begin to start shoving the tank back into its proper position. The tank was hard to maneuver since it had at least twelve gallons of fuel in it. If you do not know, gas weighs around 6 pounds a gallon therefore, I am pushing around seventy pounds of gas tank. Despite the fact; that I am at my bench press limit, I still managed to just get the tank almost back into position. Suddenly! To my horror the whole fuel tank comes crashing out to land on my chest with a wet thud.
You never know how fast you can move until seventy pounds of gas tank falls on you, spewing flammable liquid out of the now exposed filler neck all over you. I wiggle out from under the tank and roll out from under the car to notice that gas is pouring everywhere. Without thinking about the danger, I drug the tank over the concrete parking lot to prop it up on a curb to keep the gas from pouring out of the tank. My Guarding Angel was watching over me that day!
Soaked with smelly gasoline, I then just stood there panting, and staring in a daze at the train wreck that had just happened. My car sat without a gas tank, the tank was out on the pavement propped up on a six inch curb, after spilling half its contents. A major gas spill covered the pavement, luckily spreading away from the Chevy. I was soaked with gas and could not move from fear and dismay. I did not know what to do next. I guess the rush of adrenaline of having to speed crawl out from under the car with the possibility of burning to death had used me all up.
As I stood like a statue, a guy, I would later find was from Pennsylvania, came up to me saying, “Looks like you are having a little trouble?” Shaking out of my stupor, I said, “My gas tank just fell out.” My this world Guarding Angel said, “I’m a mechanic. My dad has had several old Chevys. Working on them with him was what got me interested in being a mechanic for a living.” As I got out some tools we talked about how his wife was visiting Dallas for training and he had tagged along. We lifted and strapped the tank back into place. Finished, we shook hands as I told him I could not have fixed my car without him.
To make a long story short, the tank came loose again the next day. I put new straps on to then find that the trunk deck was rusted out. I do not know General Motors engineers were thinking when the use the trunk floor pan for a fastening point for the gas tank and the rear wheel shock absorbers. I had to replace much of the steel trunk deck to strengthen the area that secured the gas tank supports.
Having a classic car gives me faith in humanity. My old Chevy has broken down several times. Each time I have had new friends and current friends stop by to help me out of my predicament. Classic cars have that effect on people.
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