DeTomaso Mailing List: June 99, Message #238

Hi guys,

Apropos of absolutely nothing, I was suddenly struck with a thought regarding 
my Pantera, and wondered if any of you could offer opinions.

My original gas tank was rusted to shreds.  A kind POCA member GAVE me a 
replacement gas tank that was in super condition.  The thing is, it was also 
totally different from my old one.

My car is a July '72 Pre-L #3960 and the tank was simply mild steel.  The 
tank that I was given was a take-off from a '71 (number 15XX?)  Apparently 
years ago a fellow was having his '71 restored and heard of potential gas 
tank problems, so he just opted to buy a new one because he could.  There was 
nothing wrong with the old one however, so it kicked around for awhile before 
it fell into my hands.

This early car tank is aluminum, not steel, and is wrapped in fiberglass.  
Sounds stock to me.  But here's the problem.

Internally it's filled with some reinforcing ribs or baffles of some type.  
My later tank fuel sender bolts right up.  But the tank will NOT register 
over 1/2 full because the sender contacts the baffle and is prevented from 
going any further!

This isn't a major problem--I just fill the car by eye, and it registers half 
full until, well, until it's half full!  Then the sender and gauge operate 
normally right down to empty.  The bottom half of the gauge is the only 
CRITICAL part of the gauge so I could easily live with it forever.  But I'd 
like to have it fully functional if able.  Am wondering if the early tank 
fuel senders were THAT different (should I consider a change), or is there 
something more complex going on here?

I have to pull the sender anyway (the gasket is fried, first time I filled 
the tank over a gallon leaked out onto the ground!), and that would be the 
time to contend with this problem.

Any and all ideas welcomed!  Thanks!

Mike