Behind the tail panel on my car are two backets that the fuel tank straps mount on to. The carriage bolts basically go through these brackets to hold the tank straps on. It looks like they are pretty seriously rusted and very weak.

Are these parts welded to the tail pan, the trunk floor or what? Are there repo parts made for this bracket?

So much for a simple gas tank change.

This is the bracket I am referring to. (Thanks Keypilot)

It provides a mounting point for the fuel tank stap carrage bolts. It doesn't look like they can be replaced without replacing the tail pan correct? Car is painted and the body is restored so that's not an option.

If the hole for the carrage bolt is simply widened out from rust, can I just have a new "plate" with a hole in it welded to the bottom of the bracket?

Those are simply carriage bolts, so they have a square on the shank under the head. All they do is slide in the adjacent hole. There is a square shaped slot as the receiver for the bolt. The jamb nut holds in place. Easy fabrication replicating the rotted portion and weld it in. Bolt set can be purchased from the vendors or go to the hardware store.

Why mess with them. They dont look that bad from what I see, other that the pipe nipple and square nut being on there. Clean up the threads and leave them alone.

I don't think that's the car in the pic. That's why there is thanks extended to Keypilot for the picture? The one in the pic looks very solid and not worthy of a repair of any kind.

"I don't think that's the car in the pic."

Correct, that's not my car. Just a pic of the bracket I'm talking about.

I'll try and take a few pics of what mine looks like (one looks pretry bad) but I don't think it will show the extent of the actual damage with the carriage bolt in the hole.

Behind the tail panel on my car are two backets that the fuel tank straps mount on to.

Are these parts welded to the tail pan, the trunk floor or what? Are there repo parts made for this bracket?

Those are not brackets, the holes are in the "trunk floor reinforcement".

Those are not brackets, the holes are in the frame rail.

Simple misuse of terminolgy, a Freudian slip if you will. Dan's only 40 minutes from me and I'm trying to get him straightened out. Get a pic up and/or e-mail it to me.

That is the "trunk floor reinforcement" on bottom of trunk pan. It stiffens the floor while providing the mount for installing gas tank straps. It welds both to the trunk floor and the tail panel's inner valance, and is available at all the resto-part suppliers.....Jb

http://www.drclassic.com/images/parts/27/18727.jpg

That is the "trunk floor reinforcement" on bottom of trunk pan. It stiffens the floor while providing the mount for installing gas tank straps. It welds both to the trunk floor and the tail panel's inner valance, and is available at all the resto-part suppliers.....Jb


Oops, you're right. The frame rails are a little further out.

I think I have a pair in stock. But if not and yours are toast just drive down to Ground Up and grab a pair. Now in Naugatuck. Easy off, easy on.