Why are the gas tanks offset to one side?

[68converted]

Can anyone tell me why the gas tanks are offset? Meaning one side is closer to the leaf springs... stupid question but I was just thinking outloud as I am fabing up the exhaust. Is it because of balance with the spare to one side???

 

[ARTTII]

I think it was designed that way to make it hard to run the LH exhaust pipe in 2.5"+ sizes... Guess I don't know either, does seem odd though...

 

[rbohm]

probably a production tolerance stack.

 

[dennis112]

Gives more footing to mount the spare tire flat. . . . . .

 

[68converted]

Well dang, it sure does make exiting a 3" chrome tail pipe impossible with a rattle. I guess I will just keep the 2.5" all the way out.

 

[mustangmike6996]

wieght distribution for traction/take off would be the most likely principal of that design in my opinion

 

[Helmantel]

If that's the case they moved it to the wrong side. Contrary to popular believe, optimum performance/traction/handling was not the nr 1 priority in the Mustang's design

I think the spare tire mounting space is a more likely reason.

 

[Westmus]

Maybe vi have to look at the original Mustang....the early Falcons! They were all 6cyl with single exhaust! The engineers was not thinking that dual exhaust would be an option later, but moved the tank away from the hot exhaust pipe. Maybe that's the reason?

 

[68converted]

I am seriously thinking about cuting out the bottom of the trunk and recentering it??? At this point, who cares with this "Frankenstang".

 

[NasaGT]

Maybe vi have to look at the original Mustang....the early Falcons! They were all 6cyl with single exhaust! The engineers was not thinking that dual exhaust would be an option later, but moved the tank away from the hot exhaust pipe. Maybe that's the reason?

I think this is the most plausible answer so far.

 

[68converted]

I agree. Although I am really wanting to move the tank over the 1" to center it. Time/common sense vs. PITA factor. I am just leaving it alone and going with 2.5" tails. Thanks for the help with my really stupid question.

 

[D.Hearne]

Exhaust clearance, that's the one and only reason. Most had single exhaust, eiting on the right side.