Quote:
Originally Posted by Accelo
Just for clarification;
The Pinto's tanks were in the back but also on the inside with the occupants.
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The problem with Pintos was that installing the clamp for the filler tube wasn't easy due to the angle that the tool had to be used, so the line workers rotated the clamp for easier installation. In a rear-ender, that clamp screw would puncture the tank, causing a fuel leak. QA should have caught that. The clamp and screw were positioned that way for a reason-
to avoid fuel tank punctures in a crash. The movie "Top Secret" notwithstanding, Pintos didn't
actually explode when rear-ended.
I worked for three Chevrolet dealers in the early '70s. Another problem that I remember was when there was a recall on Buick Opels. The windshields would pop out when the vehicle rear-ended another one. Turns out that the assembly line workers were
greasing the windshield seals instead of installing them according to the instructions.