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MG MGA - Gas Tank Straps?

What's up folks? I hope all your projects are enjoyable. My question... What are the gas tank straps made of and is there an acceptible alternative -- can I fashion my own?
gerard hutchinson

Hi Gerard. The tank straps are made of sheet metal. They are shaped like the tank, and have brackets welded on that allow attachment to the car. If you are handy with metal fabrication, it probably would not be too difficult to fabricate suitable straps. Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

The tank straps are steel, although I don't know what gage. They seem to be about the same thickness as the body sheet metal, so around .040". There is a clamping feature added to the ends to facilitate fitting the straps tightly around the tank. This clamps the ends of the strap. A bracket is welded in the approx. middle of each strap, opposite the end clamp, and bolted to a frame cross member immediately in front of the tank. Its a little difficult to describe; the Service Parts List has an illustration of this but its difficult to pick out the details. There is a packing strip between the straps and the gas tank. On my car this was rubber, but I don't know if that's original.
George Goeppner

Gerard,

I have a pair in grimy but descent shape if you want them. Make me an offer I can't refuse!

jmbries@yahoo.com

Thanks,
John
John Bries

Gerard,
The mounting flanges and clamps that George describes are not something a home fabricator would find easy to fashion. I can send some pictures if you are interested. To me, buying the used ones that John is offering would seem the way to go. The packings between the staps and tank are,as George suggests, thin rubber pieces. Easy to buy or make.
Regards,
GTF
G T Foster

Thanks fellas,
GT Foster - please do send a picture of the straps. I am interested in seeing them.

John,
I responded to your post by email. I am interested is your straps. Where are you located? I want to get an idea on how much S&H will cost.
gerard hutchinson

Gerard,
You have mail.

GTF
G T Foster

Thanks for the pictures GTF.

JOHN,
how "grimy" are your straps? greasy? rusty? please let me know.
gerard hutchinson

Hey Gerard,

When are you gonna get that rusty hunk of junk out of mom's garage anyway?
:)
Graquel

Guys, eventhough this 'Graquel' person is my sister she should not be allowed to speak ill of what we all love -- our MGA's. Ban her!!!
gerard hutchinson

Graquel,
You know, your brother is right. Although you are related, that is an "in-family" discussion, which, if you are allowed to bring to the light of this BBS, all other owner's wives, husbands, parents, brothers, sisters, etc. will feel that it is time for them to speak up in a like manner, and I don't think that our collective egos can stand for this. Now, if you would like to speak well of him and his car, you are definitely welcome to do so.
:)
mike parker

Well, let me say first of all that I LOVE MGAs and can't wait to look good riding in my big brother's really cool car. But it's taking too darn long!! So I now charge everyone on this site to help Gerard get that hunk-o-junk together just for ME! (Of course, you do realize that he'll never let me ... when it's done five years from now!)

But, what kind of little sister would I be if I didn't take every opportunity to irritate Big Bro?? Some things will never change ...
:)
Graquel

Graquel,

You could offer to have it restored for him. Maybe for a birthday present? That way he would just "Have to" let you drive it sometimes.
Chuck Schaefer

Well, I had this bright idea to contact that show, "Overhaulin'" on the Discovery Channel, but the darn thing has to be RUNNING (and not in seven different parts!)

Plus, he'd never forgive me if he didn't have complete control over the entire project. Big brother's kinda controlling that way ...
:)

Graquel

Hi Graquel. You likely wouldn't want to contact overhaulin anyway. That sweet little MGA would end up with a 427 V8 engine, automatic tranny, posi trac rear end, automatic folding softtop, keyless entry exterior door handles, recaro bucket seats, and (ugly) custom mag wheels! Those guys are hot rodders, NOT restorers! lol Glenn
Glenn

This thread was discussed between 25/02/2005 and 10/03/2005

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