[DeTomaso] gas tank insulation

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Nick, the stock tank heat-shroud was a three-layer bonded material of 
aluminum, asbestos and aluminum and is probably the best combination of 
heat-rejection and light weight. It isn't shiny but being aluminum it certainly could 
be buffed and coated-which some have done. For those concerned, being 
encapsulated in aluminum, its about as safe as asbestos can be. Next is stainless 
steel which is much heavier but doesn't transfer very much heat, either. 
Both these assume you'll be using a stock 21-gallon tank; if you use a fuel 
cell or maybe a copy of the Pantera SI which had two 10-gallon tanks, one 
on either side of the engine, they didn't run shields 'cause the small, low 
tank tops are below and away from the header pipes. I've seen   dual 
10-gallon racing tanks of fiberglas for sale at the annual DeTomaso Swap meets, and 
Dennis Quella's plastic race Pantera runs a small tank in the front trunk. 
All these alternative tank systems give the car much better balance with a 
driver aboard, at the cost of some complication. Good luck- J Deryke