Car Guys (particularly muscle cars)...need some help.

[Ray Holt]

What's up guys. I have a 1970 Chevy Nova. It runs fine, but the original fuel tank started leaking a while back so we took it off.

I am looking online for a replacement fuel tank (on Classic Industries) and there are two listed. One is just for the 1970 model year, and says it is "w/o EEC". Then there is one listed for 1970-1972 that says "w/EEC".

What does the EEC stand for? Seems kinda weird to me because the one without the EEC is $30 more.

You guys know what the deal is?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[D.Don]

Originally Posted by Ray Holt

What's up guys. I have a 1970 Chevy Nova. It runs fine, but the original fuel tank started leaking a while back so we took it off.

I am looking online for a replacement fuel tank (on Classic Industries) and there are two listed. One is just for the 1970 model year, and says it is "w/o EEC". Then there is one listed for 1970-1972 that says "w/EEC".

What does the EEC stand for? Seems kinda weird to me because the one without the EEC is $30 more.

You guys know what the deal is?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Electronic Engine Control, dunno about those cars but I guess it has to do with if you have a fuel injection or not, or what type of fuel injection you have (electronic etc.).


D.Don

[Ray Holt]

bump

[neurotictim]

Evaporative Emissions Control...

From FamilyCar.Com's website:

Gasoline evaporates quite easily. In the past, these evaporative emissions were vented into the atmosphere. 20% of all HC emissions from the automobile are from the gas tank.

In 1970 legislation was passed, prohibiting venting of gas tank fumes into the atmosphere. An evaporative control system was developed to eliminate this source of pollution. The function of the fuel evaporative control system is to trap and store evaporative emissions from the gas tank and carburetor.

A charcoal canister is used to trap the fuel vapors. The fuel vapors adhere to the charcoal, until the engine is started, and engine vacuum can be used to draw the vapors into the engine, so that they can be burned along with the fuel/air mixture. This system requires the use of a sealed gas tank filler cap. This cap is so important to the operation of the system, that a test of the cap is now being integrated into many state emission inspection programs. Pre-1970 cars released fuel vapors into the atmosphere through the use of a vented gas cap. Today with the use of sealed caps, redesigned gas tanks are used. The tank has to have the space for the vapors to collect so that they can then be vented to the charcoal canister. A purge valve is used to control the vapor flow into the engine. The purge valve is operated by engine vacuum. One common problem with this system is that the purge valve goes bad and engine vacuum draws fuel directly into the intake system. This enriches the fuel mixture and will foul the spark plugs. Most charcoal canisters have a filter that should be replaced periodically. This system should be checked when fuel mileage drops.

Seems like you should check out the old tank to see what it's got - get whatever matches your old tank.

OTOH, check with your local techs - I think GA doesn't have inspections, and you could probably get away with whichever, just use a vented tank filler cap.

[Ericman197]

If your car has an evap system and an emissions carb it would be my preference to use it. My charcoal canister is currently NOT hooked up to the carb, so it does nothing but sorta prevent vapor lock. All the fumes go out into the garage when I turn the car off, and it kinda reeks so I have to leave the door open for a while.

If you're going for all out high performance, then you may want to forgo the EEC. But for weekend cruising and stoplight grand prix purposes, you might be happier with EEC. It's not going to kill your performance.

And to tell you the truth, I have no idea whether your car has the right equipment for EEC. It could be one way or the other. If you have a carbon canister like this under the hood:



then you have EEC. Those are a bunch of carbon canisters, you'd likely have one that looks like it with a hose going to the gas tank, and two to the carb.

[Pilgrim]

Take the old tank to a radiator shop and have them clean it, weld any holes and coat the interior. Problem solved.

[Ray Holt]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Take the old tank to a radiator shop and have them clean it, weld any holes and coat the interior. Problem solved.

That's an idea... is that kind of a standard thing radiator shops do? I'm just curious why you specified a radiator shop.

[Irish23]

you should just bring it to the shop and have it fixed it will be alot cheaper for you

[Ericman197]

Originally Posted by Ray Holt

That's an idea... is that kind of a standard thing radiator shops do? I'm just curious why you specified a radiator shop.

They do that sort of thing all the time with leaky radiators. So yes they should know how to clean out and reseal any tank.

[Ray Holt]

Right on, I'll look into it. Thanks for the help guys.

[Phalex]

I helped a friend of mine weld up a hole in his gas tank about 25 years ago. Damn near blew my nuts off! Replacing it sounds like a really good idea!

[Ray Holt]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I helped a friend of mine weld up a hole in his gas tank about 25 years ago. Damn near blew my nuts off! Replacing it sounds like a really good idea!

Yeah, I just spoke to my brother. The car was his originally, and he left it in my hands when he moved away. He said he's patched the hole in the tank so many times it's not even funny, and the best thing to do is just replace it.

His advice was to simply buy whichever tank was cheaper. And like I said, for some reason, the tank WITH EEC is cheaper. He said I should buy the one with EEC, then if I wanted to, I could make the EEC functional. And if I didn't, I could just plug the vacuum ports that are on the gas tank and leave it at that.

So that's it, I'm about to FINALLY get started on working on this car!

The 3 things he listed for me to do first are...

1.Gas tank
2.Exhaust. Right now, there is no exhaust, it just ends at the headers! They end right under the seats, so it's just CRAZY loud.
3.Check the front brakes.

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by Ericman197

They do that sort of thing all the time with leaky radiators. So yes they should know how to clean out and reseal any tank.

Make sure you ASK the shop before hauling your tank over there. A lot of shops won't do it because of the safety issues (flame + gas tank = ).

[Ray Holt]

Hahah well I just ordered a brand new tank and new tank straps, so it's settled. I'm so excited!

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by Phalex

I helped a friend of mine weld up a hole in his gas tank about 25 years ago. Damn near blew my nuts off! Replacing it sounds like a really good idea!

If you purge the tank with CO2 first you can weld them up no problem.

[Ray Holt]

Mike I've been waiting for you to pop in this whole time!

So Mike, since I'm going to need an exhaust system, I was wondering if there were any manufacturers that you would recommend. I understand you might not have experience specifically with Novas (maybe you do!) but it's got a 350 in it and all the old American stuff is pretty standard. So do you have any recommendations? Not looking for full on race performance, but good performance, and I don't mind spending some money for good quality parts.

[Spector_Ray]

Originally Posted by Ray Holt

Mike I've been waiting for you to pop in this whole time!

So Mike, since I'm going to need an exhaust system, I was wondering if there were any manufacturers that you would recommend. I understand you might not have experience specifically with Novas (maybe you do!) but it's got a 350 in it and all the old American stuff is pretty standard. So do you have any recommendations? Not looking for full on race performance, but good performance, and I don't mind spending some money for good quality parts.

Go to your local muffler shop and have them build you a good system with a pair of Flowmaster 40's. Great sound and it'll help wake up that 350 a bit.

[Ray Holt]

Do you think that would be very expensive to have them make a system? Those 40 series mufflers do seem cool... I want to hear some.

[Spector_Ray]

Originally Posted by Ray Holt

Do you think that would be very expensive to have them make a system? Those 40 series mufflers do seem cool... I want to hear some.

It can get pricey. You can also just have them replace the existing mufflers with Flowmasters or any other brand you wish. This would be the cheapest way to go.

Flowmaster Sound Clips

Magnaflow Sound Clips

[Ray Holt]

Ah but see the issue is there is no exhaust system as of right now. The headers come off the engine and it stops right there! It's loud as all hell!