I know the Fiero gas tank had a unique design due to its location in the center tunnel. Does anyone have the answer why no company (to my knowledge) ever offered aftermarket Fiero gas tanks?
Considering that almost 370k Fiero's were sold, this does seem odd.
[This message has been edited by gtjeff (edited 10-06-2014).]
I think its because the tank was only used for the Fiero whereas other tanks fit multiple vehicles with production number in the millions sometimes, plus the fact that the Fiero is not as much of a collectible car as something like a 55 to 57 Chevy.
Thanks, I saw the thead about the tanks offered here online. As someone who had to replace a rusted tank, it's good someone is giving people an option if you cant find a rust free southern tank, like I did. I was really asking about aftermarket manufacturers not offering the tank when the car was a few years old.
[This message has been edited by gtjeff (edited 10-06-2014).]
Thanks, I saw the thead about the tanks offered here online. As someone who had to replace a rusted tank, it's good someone is giving people an option if you cant find a rust free southern tank, like I did. I was really asking about aftermarket manufacturers not offering the tank when the car was a few years old.
Car manufacturers are required to supply spare parts for 10 years so OEM tanks were available until 1998. After that demand for new tanks would have been zero as the supply in the junk yards was at it's peak. The only cars that attract a huge aftermarket are those that are still popular over 10 years after they were discontinued. Which does not include the Fiero.
[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 10-06-2014).]
After that demand for new tanks would have been zero as the supply in the junk yards was at it's peak.
I've seen seven or eight Fieros at various Pick n Pull yards. Every one had a big hole punched in the bottom of the gas tank. Their way of quickly and efficiently draining the tank. These tanks are disappearing fast.
And so is the demand. Chances are no manufacturer is going to reproduce them...ever.
I didn't say they would be. I was making the point that even many junk yards can no longer be considered a source of supply, and are actually reducing the number that are available every time a car enters their supply line. It's not a matter of natural attrition but is a practice of actual depletion. That cuts down the availability of existing supply dramatically. If I had been shopping for a replacement gas tank at these yards I would have been 0 for 8.
My hats off to the ones that have the skill, capability and desire to engineer and manufacture these parts on a small scale for the benefit of the hobbyist community.
Those tanks with a hole in them can actually be fixed. the radiator shop I use to clean and seal my gas tanks is able to weld a patch on them and then clean and seal them for about $150
Those tanks with a hole in them can actually be fixed. the radiator shop I use to clean and seal my gas tanks is able to weld a patch on them and then clean and seal them for about $150
The problem is the plastic baffles inside, as the coating for sealing the tank doesn't seem to like sticking to the plastic baffle (and can come loose).
[This message has been edited by jaskispyder (edited 10-07-2014).]
I didn't say they would be. I was making the point that even many junk yards can no longer be considered a source of supply,
My point wasn't that the junk yard was ever a good source of supply... my point was to answer the OP's question that reproduction parts only appear on cars still popular over 10 years after they were discontinued. By 1998 Fieros had already declined significantly in popularity, Many many people have parts to sell. I have been buying Fiero parts for 13 years and never once got anything from a junk yard. I got an entire Fiero for less than $1 and it had a perfect tank and sender in it.
