gas tank insulation

[Soybomb]

Hey guys I've got my gas tank down and cleaned it up and painted it. There was some rust starting, especially under the areas where the old stick on insulation pads used to be. It looks like it mostly got wirebrushed off though. I'm wondering what the main purpose of the insulation was though. Was it just to keep fuel pump noise down inside or did it also act as an abrasion barrier?

I'm wondering if I should replace the insulation before I put it back up. Two sheets of 10x10" dynamat like http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku should be enough to cover all the areas and hopefully wouldn't hold water like the old stuff did.

On a side note I'm thinking I might try to edge the tank a little more toward the passenger side to give a little room to my 2.5" exhaust, especially if I want to upgrade....will the straps actually fit in the next slot over or is it just pushed over as far as you can make it and torqued up?

[goforthz28]

Ure a lucky man, when i went to change the fuel pump in my 89 Shelby, I manage to snap both strap studs in the process. I was experiencin the same excess corrosion underneath the insulation. The only diff is that my tank should be replaced. What i was thinkin bout the insulation is to put small rubber blocks on the four corner/contact point between the chassis and tank as to eliminate future corrosion issues. It would allow residual water to evap vs sittin under the insulation. And if u havnt already, POR-15 the whole think then spray paint it so u never hafta worry bout the corrosion again.

~Mark

[Soybomb]

Heh well I half lucky. I was wondering if the studs would break but they didn't. One of the nuts did sieze to the strap through and the strap twisted several times and is pretty nasty looking. I thought I'd just order a new one but the dealer says the straps aren't available anymore so I do get to have some fun anyway

I didn't spray paint over it since it shouldn't really get much UV exposure, but the por 15 has already been applied Even a little bit in the lock ring area to hopefully keep that from rusting out as quickly since that was the worst looking!

[speeduphoria]

Either Advance Auto or Napa has the straps, forgot which one, like$17