Gas Tank cleaning and Sealing

[fred93]

I have read several posts that talk about the pros and cons of sealing the Model A's gas tank. I know that some shops will cut open the tanks and media blast the inside and then seal the inside with a liquid sealer. I plan to have a local radiator shop boil the tank to clean the inside (it doesn't look all that bad--but I would like to start with a clean tank as long as it is out of the car anyway). The shop said that they normally seal the inside with a aircraft type of sealer. I thought that this process would be good until I read the posts here about sealers peeling off and plugging up everything. So now I am thinking just to have it cleaned out and forget the sealer.

However, I may have another problem! I looked at the tank today and noticed that there are some stains around the steering column bracket. Are these the start of a fuel leak??? If it is a fuel leak what is the fix??? Also, I am a little concerned that the threads on the fuel filler neck are somewhat worn. I purchased a new cap and it seems to tighten down better than the old one, so maybe the new cap will take care of the problem???? I have been told that the neck on the gas tank can not be replaced like the neck on the radiator (or maybe no one WANTS to be "responsible" for installing a new neck on the gas tank????)

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

I'd guess you will have all the paint stripped from the tank, then you can better see if that is a problem area. If it is a seep then solder should fix it just fine. Someone used a thick coat of solder around the mounting flange on my 29 Tudor and it's doing fine.

 

['29wagon]

Tom, how thick is that solder, silver solder, someone suggested to braze my leak. it'd be a good idea to check around for other areas of concern before handing it over to anyone. that terne process would be nice.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Tom, how thick is that solder, silver solder, someone suggested to braze my leak. it'd be a good idea to check around for other areas of concern before handing it over to anyone. that terne process would be nice.

It's thick enough to be a bit wavy, maybe 1/16" to 1/8" all around the edge where the bracket meets the tank.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Well, let me add my opinion in with others. I am of the belief that having a Radiator Shop "boil it out" will take care of anything 'organic' but will do nothing for any rust inside. The staining you see is due to fuel leaking throuch the rivet holes due to cracking caused by someone using the steering wheel to pull them into the car. Brazing or soldering only builds a dam in the area however with the rivet area damaged, nothing is there to support the column. Welding the rivet to the tank metal on the inside is one of the best ways to cure this issue.

I have never replaced a fuel inlet neck so I cannot offer any advice in that area.