Is there a mat or cushion between the fuel tank and body?

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my68barracuda

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A few years ago I replaced the OE fuel tank in the 68 Barracuda with a new tank from Tanks Inc. Over the next few days I am going to be working around the fuel tank to improve the accuracy of the fuel level sender and I was wondering, per the title of this post. Does the topside of the tank fit firm against the underbody, or was there a mat between the two?
I have a vague memory of having something between the tank and body, but not sure.
And if there was something between the tank and body, what was the mat made of, source for a new one? Any issues if I just leave it out? Or should I loosen the straps and move the tank down enough to slide something in there?
thanks
 
My '69 had the felt below........
MOPAR - A Body 1967-69 - 68 Plymouth Barracuda - Page 1 - Detroit Muscle Technologies, LLC
upload_2021-10-22_19-3-15.png
 
I removed the original untouched tank out of Vixen when I first got her to inspect and clean it. There was nothing on top of it.
 
I removed the tank from my 67’ fastback that was all original and it had felt paper.
 
I used a cut up yoga mat.
You do NOT want anything like an absorbent foam rubber between tank and underbody. My 76 power wagon had absorbent foam rubber between tank and cab. It held moisture against the steel fuel tank and the cab and rusted pin holes beneath the foam rubber.
I suggest using 30# roofing felt between tank and underbody.
I've parted out many dozens of a-bodies years ago. All of them had what looked like roofing felt in there.
 
I heard that the mat that was in some cars had a high asbestos content, and that's why accurate reproductions can't be had.
Pity the poor guy who loses sleep over that.
 
You do NOT want anything like an absorbent foam rubber between tank and underbody. My 76 power wagon had absorbent foam rubber between tank and cab. It held moisture against the steel fuel tank and the cab and rusted pin holes beneath the foam rubber.
I suggest using 30# roofing felt between tank and underbody.
I've parted out many dozens of a-bodies years ago. All of them had what looked like roofing felt in there.
Yoga mats (at least the cheap ones) are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are non porous (closed cell structure) and a non absorbent material.
 
I have the mat that was from the factory for my 69 Dart. As mentioned above, it feels like roofing felt. If you need a template let me know, I can trace one for you.
 
Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the mat but you can most definitely see where it was at on this picture. I did reinstall it after I painted the gas tank.

Screenshot_20211023-023114_Gallery.jpg


Screenshot_20211023-023254_Gallery.jpg
 
Ended getting the less expensive one Detroit offered ( not a resto part). . As a Carpenter, I know tar paper won't permit moisture intrusion, but it WILL trap moisture. That's why we use Tyvek (or equivalent) it's waterproof, but let's things breath. And I just don't want my darn gas tank rubbing metal up top.....
 
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