JC Whitney replacement fuel tank

Did you know that an original(genuine)VW gas tanks holds 10.5 U.S. gallons?
Does your Speedster have an aftermarket Gas Tank?
Does it only hold 8.5 gals? (This is the same size tank that came standard in my Vintage Speedster.)
Do you wish you could carry a couple of more gallons?
Do you think the oversize 16 gal tanks are overkill?

After buying "replacement" tanks for 67 & earlier VW's from CBPerformance and cip1, I found that the aftermarket tanks they sell are only 8.5 Gallons. "Replacement" apparently only means that it "fits". Some vendors are unaware of the capacity the tanks they sell.
J.C. Whitney's description of the "replacent" tanks that they sell for 67 & earlier VW's, includes the capacity.
Mine came today, and guess what... It holds 10.5 gallons!!!!
It's made in Brazil but the quality looks a bit better than what I've seen from other vendors. I don't think it uses a VW Gas cap, but the one from the tank in my Vintage Speedster Fits. This is the same cap that cip1 sells for their "replacement" tanks. (It's just a generic vented gas cap)

JC Whitney catalog #213828
orig.Mfg Part #113-201-075A/B
$59.95

Greg B

Greg, what is the tank made out of?

Pat

Can you tell any difference in the amount of luggage area it occupies, noticeably more or not?

The gas tank from JC Whitney is made from .030 mild steel.
It looks to be the same configuration as a stock VW tank. Measuring it with a tape measure, it looks to be about the same dimensions as a Genuine tank. If its'physical dims are different than the 8.5 gal or Genuine VW 10.5 gallon tank, it's hard to tell where. It's the same height into the luggage area as the 8.5 gal or genuine VW. It fits the mounting "hole" the same as the Genuine VW tank.

Note: As with most tanks, the filler neck still needs to be shortened to fit.

Greg B

Is it diffiuclt to replace? (mechanically challenged)

Perhaps this is why my VS gas gage stays near full for the 1st 7 or so gallons, then takes a sudden dive as the tank nears empty.
I've posted on this topic myself, because my concern about low fuel capacity on my new car. Good info Greg, I'm tempted to make the switch. BTW, how much is shipping on the JCW tank?

You'll have to watch how the drivers side bottom is shaped on the aftermarket tank.....even though it fits the Beetle, you may have a clearance problem with it resting completely flat in the trunk.
I have run into a problem ( CMC, Fiberfab & Street Beasts) with the bottom of the tank hitting the top of the footwell area ...a little rubber mallet massage does the trick (you'll loose a bit of fuel capacity) but allows for the tank mounting flange to rest on the trunk floor at it should.

Replacmen: MUST ...disconnect the battery.....not doing so will be a sure ignition source for fire !
Remove the filler cap, cut the fuel line at the center base of the tank and completely drain it. Remove the vent hose at the filler neck, disconnect the two wires to the float assembly, remove the screws on the float assembly removing it slowly and tilt it to the left or right to clear the float on the end of the float rod, remove the four clamps that secure the tank to the trunk floor area.
Install in the reverse order sealing the new tank to the body with silicone caulk, note that the float screws will only line up in one position on the tank as one one is offset.

Be sure to replace the fuel line and add a fuel filter near the tank outlet.Job time for a first timer, about 2.5-3 hrs.

Alan, while you're on the subject, what do you suggest for a tank vent outlet point? I've got a breather nipple in the front of my 12-gal. cell, and I want to run a grounded vent somewhere on the jalopy.
I'd also like to be able to fire up a cigar while I'm in it.

I can see the headlines "Fireman lights up stoggie and becomes Rocket Man"! Ya need some nitrous so you can at least go out smiling.

Wolfgang, I am tempted to wear my fireman suit to the show so I can have a Fuente Churchill on the drive up. Don't think I won't!

Back on the topic, though, my old VeeDub tank was in backward and never read correctly on the gauge. There was as much or more fuel under the outlet valve as there was above it, and the filler-neck had a vent that came off of it and drained (vented) right in front of the passenger door. I only smelled fuel right after I gassed the car up, for maybe about fifteen miles.
I don't know enough about the vaporization of gasoline to know if the apex of the filler neck and the vent tubing prevented the vapors from flowing out down the vent tube, or if I just got used to the smell. Never had occasion to find out and just thought it was a "bug" in the design.
I'm going to have to vent this new tank somewhere, and I don't know if I need to aim the outlet to a point lower than the tank, or if I can send it out anywhere under the front end. I would like to vent the end of the tubing out on the driver's side in the vacinity of the horn grille to prevent the three-inch exhaust, which is going to be on the passenger's side behind the door, igniting the vapors.
I really could use help on that particular answer from somebody who's used one of these polymer cells before -- or from anyone who knows the right answer.
I'm not going to dice it on this one.

Cory,

....you can run the vent line wherever you want to go with it as long as you install a one way in line valve ( Auto Parts Store Help Rack) lets air in but not allow the fuel to slosh out. You might use a small ID fuel line and you dont have to bother with grounding it.