Re: [A/S] Questions on 1979 propane tanks

["chyde" <chyde@xxxx>]

Christopher,
I just went through the same thing. I bought a pair of used 70's era 40lb
Aluminum tanks at last years International Rally. I had the work done at my
local Amerigas supplier but I would imagine any gas supplier could do it for
you as long as they are not just a refill shop. My tanks are about the same
height as the bottom of the front window on my 59 Ambassador. The OPD valves
cost $29 each plus $5 for recertification. I quizzed the guy about the
differences between steel tank valves and ones used on aluminum tanks. He
pointed out the DT marking on the tank. Mine said DT 7.0 which means Dip
tube 7.0" long. 40lb steel tanks say DT 6.5 which is slightly shorter. If
you look at steel tanks and compare them to aluminum ones you will notice a
much tighter radius on the top of the tank which gives slightly more volume
compared to aluminum tanks of the "same" size. In other words the aluminum
ones are a bit more bulbous at the top and bottom. The guy had to order the
valves with correct dip tube length which took a couple of days. The Tare
weight on my tanks say TW 16.5 which is 16.5 lbs. As long as there are no
deep gouges in the aluminum you shouldn't have any problems. The total cost
to upgrade both my tanks plus the price I paid used was less than what I've
seen for one new tank so I think it was well worth it.
Hope this helps you out.
Colin
Assorted Vintage Airstreams