I just purchased the NPD fuel tank kit and thought others might find a comparison to original parts useful. The kit contains the fuel tank, mounting straps, bolts for the straps, fuel gauge sender, seal for the filler neck, filler neck trunk seal, screws for the trunk seal, seal for the fuel cap and screws for the fuel cap. I selected the option for flip cap.
First the tank. The tank is manufactured in Canada and is a very close reproduction of the original, at least compared to the pair from '71 convertibles I have on hand. There are two main areas that are different. First is there are creases in the seams around the tank to allow the tank to fit into the space under the trunk. The creases in the new tank are not as crisp as the original tanks, and they are a bit wider. The second difference is less noticeable, and that is the size of the retaining tangs on the openings for the fuel sender and the return line. Finish is great, and the tank comes with a gasket and retaining ring for one of the openings.
The straps on the other hand, are not even close. The ends look correct, but the welds aren't in the same place or the same size. The shape of the straps is way off as well. Originals have curves to fit the contours of the tank, where the new parts have bends. Using these will take some work to shape them correctly, which will damage the surface and paint. I plan to refinish a good pair of originals and use those instead.
The fuel sender looks very good. The only difference is the color of the plastic connector housing - original on my tanks is black, the sender is white. My sender came with another gasket, but not a retaining ring, so the whole setup is short one ring. I have not followed up with NPD to see if that is intended or an oversight.
The bolts and screws in the kit are all from AMK products. I have been using AMK stuff elsewhere and have found them to be pretty accurate in markings and finishes on the fasteners I have purchased from them before. These are no different. They look great.
First the tank. The tank is manufactured in Canada and is a very close reproduction of the original, at least compared to the pair from '71 convertibles I have on hand. There are two main areas that are different. First is there are creases in the seams around the tank to allow the tank to fit into the space under the trunk. The creases in the new tank are not as crisp as the original tanks, and they are a bit wider. The second difference is less noticeable, and that is the size of the retaining tangs on the openings for the fuel sender and the return line. Finish is great, and the tank comes with a gasket and retaining ring for one of the openings.
The straps on the other hand, are not even close. The ends look correct, but the welds aren't in the same place or the same size. The shape of the straps is way off as well. Originals have curves to fit the contours of the tank, where the new parts have bends. Using these will take some work to shape them correctly, which will damage the surface and paint. I plan to refinish a good pair of originals and use those instead.
The fuel sender looks very good. The only difference is the color of the plastic connector housing - original on my tanks is black, the sender is white. My sender came with another gasket, but not a retaining ring, so the whole setup is short one ring. I have not followed up with NPD to see if that is intended or an oversight.
The bolts and screws in the kit are all from AMK products. I have been using AMK stuff elsewhere and have found them to be pretty accurate in markings and finishes on the fasteners I have purchased from them before. These are no different. They look great.