I have a beautiful and very original 4 door hardtop. Only trouble is the petrol tank is full of rust and I urgenty need another one. The cost to have someone make a new one here in New Zealand is crazy so does anyone know where I might find a good quality used one? Thanks a lot.
Nice looking car. I'd absolutely love to see more pictures of it. Really the only place to find another gas tank is going to be a junk yard. Even in the US it would be a little challenging, but over in New Zealand it's a whole 'nother ball game. I don't know how opposed you are to non-factory parts, but you might want to consider installing a fuel cell in the truck. They are relatively cheap and you can find them at any performance parts store. Good luck!
Hi Andy and thanks very much for your reply. I'll get a few more photos loaded next week. I'll also find out if a fuel cell in the boot is legal here. The mechanic put a temporary plastic tote in the boot so I can get around and I know that's not 100% legal but a reasonable alternative at the moment. Buick's are uncommon in NZ especially from 1961. Earlier today I received a quote from gmobsolete.com for a tank and it was $595. It'll end up costing about double that by the time I get it here. Does $595 sound reasonable to you? Cheers David
To me, spending $1200 on a gas tank isn't worth it. If you really want to keep the car original, then it might be something you would want to consider. But I know I'd be a lot happier spending a few hundered on a fuel cell and spending the rest on other areas of the car. What kind of wheels are on your '61? It's very sharp!
Wouldn't mind keeping it original however the quote locally was US$2000! A fuel cell sounds good to me. I think the wheels are American Racing - they're pretty cool. I'll get some pics up next week. Cheers
First, welcome to V-8 Buick. We usually go by first names here. I'm Jeff. Secondly, there is a product here (forgot the name) that is a liquid which is sloshed around inside your tank. It coats the inside and seals the rust. I'll try to find the name of that product and in the meantime use that auxillary tank carefully. :grin: It may just save you $2000 (or almost). :laugh: BTW, I too, am looking forward to your pics. Try this link: http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm
Hi Jeff and thanks for the welcome. I love the old Buick and am committed to getting it running 110%. I've had the tank removed and the guy who now has it reckons it's probably stuffed - he took out a cup of rust chips/dust out of it! However, as a final attempt at restoring he's going to pressure test it and if it stands up to that, we may be able to coat the inside with a sealer - fingers crossed. Let me know the name of your sealer if you can but I'm thinking it must be fairly standard stuff. Thanks again and in the meantime I'll check it out.
Gidday Chris, Thanks for the welcome and I've had my Electra since last summer as well - that is our summer from about October/November until now. The convertibles are great - I reckon I'll have to get one some day...
OK David: Here is a suggestion. Find out what other models interchange with your 61. I know that a 60 is identical to a 63, 64, 65 Riviera except for the filler neck. Those can be modified by any radiator shop with ease. So maybe there is hope yet. Mitch
The tanks on the '61 are above the muffler. If you find one other than NZ then you have a problem shipping. Known as hazardous, many $$$$ to ship one of those & the possibility of damage is GREAT considering the thickness of the material a fuel tank is made of. Put a butt load of nuts & bolts in the tank & shake the be Jesus out of it. That should knock out much of the rust. Pressure test then seal with the sealer. Give the sealer much time to dry & put into use.
Hi Mitch and Tom. Unlikely I can get anything locally Mitch as there are very few old Buick's in NZ, but thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to try your suggestion Tom about the nuts and bolts and using a sealer and hope that works. If not I'll get a fibreglass tank made. I hadn't thought about a used tank being hazardous to ship but was worried about damage. It's not like I could easily return it! Cheers guys.
New pictures posted now. Not that great of the exterior as it's been raining here today. Will replace when I get a change and the weather plays it's part.
Hi Dave. I would try to go the sealer way. A friend of mine bought a 53 Cad Conv in Oregon in 2002 and the tank was full of rust. We removed the tank and filled it with some rocks and water and moved it around for awhile. We got almost a bucket full of rust out of it. When we couldnt get anymore out we let it dry for a couple of days and then filled it with sealer, cant remember the make either o No: . We let it dry again and mounted it back. He has used it since and never had a problem with it. By the way, nice car. Love those 61s. :TU:
Hi Hans and thanks for the comments. I agree that trying to restore it using a sealer product is the best option. Will give it a shot as soon as I get it back. Cheers
