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Re: [oletrucks] Re: Gas tanks and burning Pintos

To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Re: Gas tanks and burning Pintos
From: "Keith" <kvdurand@mail.esc4.com>
Date: Thu, 24 Jun 1999 19:07:27 -0700
I didn't understand the reference to fake journalism. My friend was standing
here and informed me that whoever tested the truck set up Estes rocket
engines nearby to make sure it went off.

>Actually, burning Pintos (minus the passengers of course) is not a bad
>idea.  If there is anything better, throw a few Vegas on the fire as well!
> ...Did I say that?
>
>I remember a TV show on the saddle tank safety on '70s Chevy trucks.  They
>show film footage of a staged collision where a passenger car T-bones a
>Chevy P/U causing the tank to rupture.  I thought (been a few years) that
>there was an issue with an incorrect test method or test results, and that
>it cost GM a lot in law suits.
>Anyone remember this?
>
>Tom B. '57 Stepside 3200
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: John Dorsey [SMTP:jrdorsey@strato.net]
>Sent: Friday, June 25, 1999 5:32 AM
>To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
>Subject: [oletrucks] Re: Gas tanks and burning Pintos
>
>Actually a rear mounted tank is not inherently unsafe, for years detroit
>used it as a standard mounting place. I've been to some massive rear end
>collisions on framed vehicles that did not rupture the tank.
>
>The Pinto was a sepcial case in that it had several design flaws that
>made it an extreme death trap.
>
>A: When rear ended the quarter panels would be shoved against the doors
>jamming them shut. (no frame)
>
>B: The floor pan pinch welds above the rear axle would split open.
>
>C: The gas tank would be crushed against protruding bolts on the rear
>axle that would open it up like a can opener.(again, no frame)
>
>D: All this allowing the gas from the squashed tank to be sprayed
>through the split pinch welds into the passenger compartment that you
>couldn't escape from because the doors were jammed shut.
>
>On an oletruck truck you could mount a tank between the rear frame rails
>as long as you left good clearance (6") away from the rear end, and away
>from the rear bumper. Any collision that would collapse the frame rails
>more than 12" would already have the bed up in the cab anyway.
>
>I've seen some later model trucks that have a wide shallow tank mounted
>above the spare tire.
>
>You could have a tank custom made for the drivers side like the
>panel-suburban tanks. They mount inside the frame just behind the cab.
>I had to have a replacement made for my panel (out of 1/4" aluminum),
>and it cost $350.00, but it had to be made to fit the original mounting
>and that added to the price.
>
>I would look at an S-10 tank from a junk yard. I looked at one for mine
>and it looked like it could be made to work, but not on the passenger
>side like I needed.
>
>--
>John   "49-50-54-57-79-95" Chevy 3800 Panel
>
>
>
>Keith wrote:
>>
>> I 'm having trouble deciding to where to put my gas tank. Some idiot
>tried
>> to braze up some pinholes and also slathered the bottom with Bondo. I
>have
>> to replace it anyway. There is no safe place for a gas tank. With it in
>the
>> cab, you have a bomb under the seat. In the rear, it will not survive
>most
>> rear collisions. Was it the Pinto that had the tank in the rear, and when
>it
>> from behind the tank would rupture and spray the vehicle with gasoline?
>> Sounds nasty. I also don't want to deal with the filler hole in the side
>> when the tank is relocated to the rear. Any body with suggestions? I
>would
>> bet a saddle tank is safer, but it is hard to fill and complicates the
>> plumbing. If the tank is relocated to the rear, no room for a spare back
>> there- but there is room behind the seat.
>>
>> Keith
>> '56 3100 in many pieces
>>
>> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>--
>John   "49-50-54-57-79-95" Chevy 3800 Panel
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>
>oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
>

oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959

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