MTFCA Forum

I was just curious?
The gas tank strap studs that stick through the firewall are long. Is that left long for a reason? I’ve never replace a 27 tank before. Do you need that length for installing or removing the thank? I’m thinking about cutting it back. Should I?
Thanks

Needs to be long, but yours look longer than normal. You may be missing the gas tank pads. No, do not cut them.

My '26 has the same long bolts. I also have the pads on straps. I suspect but, cannot confirm, that the long bolts were needed to make it easier to start the nuts with the tank held against the firewall.

Mark is correct.

As the straps are flexible, when you hang them from the hook end, they have to wrap around the cowl tank, just like your belt wraps around your waist

You want your belt to be long enough. . You need those straps long for ease of entering the holes in the firewall.

Unless you want to be all original, loosen your straps one at a time and lay a strip of strap winch belting on top of the rubber on the tank strap..By loosening one at a time you can work the strap in and t will take up some of the bolt length sticking thru the firewall. It is under the cowl and out of site unless you really get down and give a close inspection. You can also spray paint it black before installing.

Best to leave the factory part alone, don't cut it off.

That length is correct, that's the way the hanger straps should look, a signature feature of the straps.


Original, un-touched '26 runabout


Un-touched '27 touring

Thanks to everyone for answering my curiously. The tank pads are in place. I just thought it odd for Henry to leave those studs long seeing that he was squeezing every nickel