For those of you who have drop in tanks...

Or for those of you who would want drop in tanks..

Here is something to read and think about. It all makes sense. I am going to place a sheet of metal riveted down to the trunk to prevent any of this


http://www.rocketcitymustang.com/articles/mustang_boom.html

 

A rear firewall behind the seat isn't a bad idea either.

 

when is a gas tank for the earlier mavericks and comets going to come out?

 

A simple solution is to install a fire wall. And am I the only one who thinks its stupid that people are sueing ford for a safety issue (that passed safety standard of the time) on a car that's nearly 50 years old. If you want a safe car buy a new one.

 

What was the cut-off year on the drop-in tanks again?

I may need to go buy some sheetmetal... I drive my kids around in this thing.

No I think its stupid too. At this point it is buyer beware. Also this was in '99.

 

its stupid to sue someone for a product that doesnt fit todays safety standards.
BUT if ford did know this could happen and decided not to do something about it and it has caused injuries or deaths to uninformed people (I understand buyer beware with a 40 year old car) ford could possibly be on the hook for tons of money if a class action suit came about
I would think ford could offer a metal rear firewall free to those who are concerned with this possibly happening to them.
even if they only give away 1 they have come up with a remedy for the problem.as long as it was announced publicly that their is a possibility this sort of thing could happen I would say they would be off the hook financially as long as they stick to the story they just discovered this problem and they are fixing it even if it is 40+ years later just to protect their customers.

I would think that people would see this and possibly think wow what a great car company. they really care about their customers. and might consider buying a ford.

but theres always the other side of the coin, doing this 40 years later could look as an admit to guilt its a tough call for the execs of ford for sure


the reason ford has settled these cases before going to courts is because its the cheaper way to deal with the problem. regardless if there is proof or not that they knew about it 40 years ago.
even if ford won the case once it went to trial they have had to pay millions in lawyer fees and has spent countless hours focusing on this instead of something that couldve advanced the company more

 

MSmithPDX,

The drop in tanks were only used in Mavs in 1970. In 1971, they changed to tanks that were under the trunk floor ... no worries with your Comet.

Re ... a rear firewall between the trunk and back seat. Not only is that a good idea for fire safety (even with the under car tank ... can't hurt), I read that is one of the best mods to firm up the entire rear area for Mustangs for better handling, etc. It should work as well for our cars. It doesn't have to be some insanely heavy gauge, either. Just typical sheet metal or aluminum like you would use in the rest of the body or chassis. It can be bolted in with a sufficient amount of sheet metal screws to be effective, or welded in.

 

I did both





Maybe Ill add some more screws to the tank cover. It looks slim looking at these photos.

 

be sure to close up the holes where the rear deck speakers/rear defroster are mounted...

 

thanks alot for sharing this!!!
i have a new drop in tank now and wasnt aware of that risk!

will put in a firewall behind my back seat to prevent making unwanted fireworks inside my car...

GrabberGT: where did you put your firewall? on the passenger side or the trunk side of the metal braces? how did you close up to the speakers?
i want to use the speakers, so maybe best is to put another sheetmetal underneath, sealing the trunk.

 

I'm doing this now. Took the 6x9s out and switching to surface mount speakers.

 

Did you have any trouble fitting the back seat? And what gage of metal did you use?

 

Chris, would you mind sending these 2 photos to me at mav1970@yahoo.com ? I want to blow them up so I can look at them better but I can't do that the way you attached them to your original post - Thanks :Handshake

 

Has anyone ever changed out the trunk floor for a newer style?

 

Scott Rod Fabrications makes an aluminum bulk head for anyone interested.

http://scottrodfab.com/maverick.html#Maverick_interior