an old inner tube
is there a roofing outfit near by? you can get rubber roofing from them

 

original tank straps did not have, nor did they need any rubber isolators. try installing them without the rubber.

 

I've never used the rubber strips and tank has worked fine for a long time.

"You don't need no stinkin' straps..."

 

LOL okay I'll step out into oncoming traffic on this one...I used the straps as supplied. The trick was to let them sit in the sun and soften then run my thumb down the center of the back so the ridges would slide over the edge of the strap. More than likely I wouldn't use them again - and I not sure I'll keep them on. The stainless tank already draws much attention. LOL

My issue with the straps I bought from Rick's was that the stainless strap installation screw set I purchased from Camaro Central was unable to pierce the strap end and self tap. All I did was remove the threads from the stainless screws even at low torque. They sucked the life out of the screws. My hill-billy garage fix was that I drilled them out, and bought 1/4 stainless bolts, lock washer and bolts and put them on that way. You will never see them once installed.

 

My hill-billy garage fix was that I drilled them out, and bought 1/4 stainless bolts, lock washer and bolts and put them on that way. You will never see them once installed.

Nothing wrong with that... call me a hillbilly too.


I hate self-tappers anyway.

 

I used the rubber strap liners and found the same problem as the OP. I found the liner fit good on the corrugated (center) part of the strap but not on the flat parts. What I did was the used a grinder to remove one rib of the liner that went under the flat section of the strap. It was about 6" on each end of the liner. Then used contact cement to hold the liner on the strap while I installed the straps around the tank.
I believe the liners serve a purpose to keep the straps from digging into the tank. The liners weren't on the straps originally but neither was the insulation on the floor boards or clearcoat on the paint.

Roger

 

Any chance the rubber straps are to prevent galvanic corrosion between the galvanized straps and stainless steel tank?

alan

 

Any chance the rubber straps are to prevent galvanic corrosion between the galvanized straps and stainless steel tank?

alan

I was told that they were to protect the finish of a stainless tank on stainless straps and dielectric corrosion between steel tanks and stainless straps.

I figured I'm safe in removing them if I want to down the road since I'm stainless straps on stainless tank but I do admit the tank snugged up nicely with them on and it adds a nice definition to the straps.

 

Thanks guys for responding to my post. I want to use some type of isolator between the painted gas tank and the stainless steel straps. Hoping that this would keep the straps from digging into the paint. If the ones that came with the straps were a hair wider they would fit perfect. I was wondering if anyone knew of where I could buy flat rubber strips that are already cut 1 1/4" wide.

 

Any shop can cut a roll to size, just take a sheet of tar paper put a strip above the straps, trim to fit!!

 

the rubber goes on the TOP of the Tank not on the Straps.
the rubber isolates the tank from the underside of the trunk floor.
see here:
http://www.gastanks.com/Camaro-Gas-Tank-Install/products/1946/

 

Any chance the rubber straps are to prevent galvanic corrosion between the galvanized straps and stainless steel tank?

That was going to be my take. Dissimilar metals.
I got the isolators from Paddock, now defunct I think, in the 80's and used with chromed straps. Reinstalled them with my new tank just because. They were hard to fit originally but not so bad a couple of months ago, still pliable and stretched to fit.

 

Harry this thread is 3 years old but thanks for the input. The thread was started in reference to rubber isolation between straps and tank, not the "anti-squeak" padding for the top. There are many old school kits and newer materials to affix on the tank tops to prevent squeak and sender damage and tank expansion.

While there is no definitive answer, factory tanks were steel and the straps were steel so they both just rusted fine. But like Scott I think the modern options of other exotic metals coming into contact with each other, the straps help reduce corrosion cause by dielectric reactions however rare those maybe. And I still say that they look good too.

 

Resurrecting this thread. I just installed my tank and the rubber straps are still a joke to get on. I ended up cutting one side of the rib off and used contact cement to hold the rubber in place on the straps. Would be nice if someone could make some that fit correctly but for now I'm just happy that someone does make them.

 

Thread re-resurrection!
Anyone has the dimensions of the center pad between the filler neck and sending unit?
Thanks

 

Don't have dimensions, but here are pics of my 92K mile 55 yrs old 68 tank when I pulled it to replace the sending unit.

 

This is a copy of the assembly manual page #125, that shows that insulator. It will give you a part number also.

Most Camaro parts suppliers sell these insulators for $25.00 or less.

 

Thank you, I have the AIM, see this but no dimensions of the block in the middle.
I have a bunch of neopren foam different thicknesses I just want to cut it out the correct size. I am overseas and don't make a sense to order it. 😁

 

Sorry I don't have any dimensions. When you drop the tank, you can determine the size and cut the foam.

I lined the gas tank straps.

I put foam on the top side of the tank on the high spots that would touch the trunk pan.

I drilled out the self-tapping screws and replaced them with 1/4x20 stainless bolts, nuts, and washers.

 

I didn't get any dimensions today either. Cold and icy. Schools are closed and northerners are laughing at us.

 

I don't care where you live. 18 degrees F with 68% humidity is bone chilling cold.