There is a lot of info in archives on this subject:

http://gerry.vanagon.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?S1=vanagon

AFAIK one can strip, prep and paint the stock Manchester LP tank. Once
empty, check for signs of leaking (especially at spot welds on tag) If
none, then have at er'. You may even find a local propane outfit to
pressure test it. Maybe put new valves/reg on while you're in there.
All this is at your discretion though.

At one point I understood that if the metal plate (id plate) is
rusting off, then attendants wouldn't fill it. It seems that the real
reason they might not fill it is due to ignorance. Some of these tanks
have an overfill protection component to the fill valve. Something
they don't understand. I understand this valve can be replaced with a
better more standard type of fill valve or can be rebuilt. But again
check archives. I know for sure I started a thread last summer that
solicited some really useful answers from this list.

In the short time I've travelled/owned a Westy, I've have no problem
with getting it filled.

I have no idea what California deems illegal or not.

Cheers,

Neil.

On 1/22/07, Matthias Kuster <matthiaskuster@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi list,
>
> I am restoring an old beat up Westy (1984) and the propane tank is a
> bit rusty (on surface). Instead of stripping it down I might want to
> replace it. I heard somewhere by someone that these old stock tanks
> are illegal now and gas stations won't fill them (I'm in California).
> Any info? Anybody ever have problems with an attendant not wanting to
> fill them up? Maybe just bs?
>
> Cheers
>
> Matthias
>

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia.

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil