what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

AA Ford Discussion Group relating to the repair and restoration of your AA Ford.
Post Reply
birdacre
Posts: 480
Joined: October 8th, 2013, 2:37 pm
Body Type: AA express
Model Year: 1928

what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by birdacre »

seems with all the bolts these clamps are not needed. any insight? were they on all from factory? thank you, kevin
Stakebed
Posts: 1223
Joined: June 14th, 2007, 7:29 pm
Body Type: Grainbox
Model Year: 1929
Location: Illinois

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by Stakebed »

Yes ford factory put them on.

My only guess is the model a frame is rather flexable and twists when it goes over bumps, since the frame twists and the body is hard mounted to the frame unlike modern cars that have rubber isolation discs the body sits on. When the frame twists the body has to flex too or it will start cracking the sheet metal so the clamps allow it to slip some.

Ford must of had a good reason otherwise it wouldn't exist due to cost and manufacturing/ assembling time of the clamps.
birdacre
Posts: 480
Joined: October 8th, 2013, 2:37 pm
Body Type: AA express
Model Year: 1928

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by birdacre »

not to sound like a know it all but.... how can the clamps let it slip? the bolts hold it tight. if anything the clamps would restrict it more? no? share thoughts please. kevin
Stakebed
Posts: 1223
Joined: June 14th, 2007, 7:29 pm
Body Type: Grainbox
Model Year: 1929
Location: Illinois

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by Stakebed »

Like I said I'm thinking out loud, the clamps do spread the load over a broader range closest to the joint VS just around the bolt head so that could be it too... Id like to know too if someone else would like to chime in.

I may be wrong (probably am) haha
User avatar
macswoods
Posts: 313
Joined: May 4th, 2009, 1:20 pm
Body Type: 82-A
Model Year: 1929
Location: Wilhoit, Arizona

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by macswoods »

On the model A and AA's I have restored, I have always returned them as close as Henry built em. Have tried to modify, and a lot of times it
turned out it is best as close to ORIGINAL the better.
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by KimVanOrder »

clamps may have been used as it may have been difficult in the manufacturing process to get a lip large enough to get a bolt hole in.

Or ? There may have been a really good clamp sales man or woman around. :D I have seem stranger things in my twenty five yrs. supplying parts to the OEMs.
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
User avatar
Chris Haynes
Posts: 2203
Joined: September 7th, 2003, 5:18 pm
Body Type: 82A
Model Year: 1930
Location: Camarillo, CA

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by Chris Haynes »

My Early '30 with the '29 type cab doesn't have gas tank clamps. When did they stop using them?
KimVanOrder
Posts: 753
Joined: August 11th, 2013, 4:25 pm
Body Type: 82-A Platform
Model Year: 1928
Location: Hamilton, Mich.

Re: what is the purpose of gas tank clamps?

Post by KimVanOrder »

Chris Haynes wrote:My Early '30 with the '29 type cab doesn't have gas tank clamps. When did they stop using them?
Looks like they used them thru '31.

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/searc ... ank+clamps
KVO
Dec. '28 AA
Post Reply