fuel tank is now a lawn ornament

[hazmat456]

well when it rains it pours. Only put on 200 miles since I installed the headers. My wife woke me up about 330 Sunday mourning saying she could smell gas, and sure enough,there she sat with a wet spot under her, filled up the tank on the way home, so I drained it and dropped it. The only thing holding the tank was the skid plate.
Because I have one of the first mountaineers I have the old style tank that you can't get anymore, the new(er) style didn't look much different, so I ordered it, anyone know if my current pump will fit in the new tank or if I buy a new pump is it plug and play?
my build date is 5/96

 

[hazmat456]

update

thanks for all the input, I guess this hasn't been an issue before. the new tank fits and I was able to reuse my pump the new tank has a "pan" in it that the other did not,I had to bend it out of the way to fit the pump. The fill hose is different as well, but I was able to cut off the ends and use hose clamps.

 

[Maniak]

Oh the Joy of having a midyear vehicle.

Thanks for the update about re-using the pump. Its nice to know that it is "possible" even though its not exactly the correct part.

~Mark

 

[OneLever]

The only thing holding the tank was the skid plate.

So what was the actual failure? Tank support strap and then tank puncture? I'm not sure of my build date but every time I look at my tank strap I get a little leery.

 

[hazmat456]

I couldn't tell how long the strap has been gone but it was quite awhile.The failure was in the front seem where the two mount bolts are. The seem allows water to collect there and it rusted out.
I didn't use a factory strap, I bought a universal one,looks like oversized plumbers strap, for $6 from the parts store. It came with a modified "J" bolt that I used with some oversized washers to replicate the "T" end of the strap.

 

[safn1949]

I had a pos Ramcharger do the same thing,one side of the tank was held on by a ratchet strap.What a pile of rust that thing was.

 

[OneLever]

The failure was in the front seem where the two mount bolts are. The seem allows water to collect there and it rusted out.

I just took a look at mine and the tank appears to sit almost flush against the skid plate. The strap and both fore and aft bolts are all in place. From the service manual information that appears to be normal. I can see what you mean about the area above the seam collecting water. Thanks for sharing what happened. Even though we couldn't help you I'm sure what you posted will help someone in the future.