Finally had it with the gas tank.

W

wellis66

New member
Well my second gas valve rusted stuck. I am planning to pull the tank. The top of the tank has been so rusty I can deflect the metal. Does anyone repair the tank anymore? I have a spare tank that is in better shape but someone tried to get the steering support screw out with a screw extractor. That seems like more work than getting the one repaired if someone can do it. I am in Boston, but heading to Hershey so if there is someone there that works too. Looking for advice. thanks
 
I often run into good gas tanks at swap meets. You might get lucky at Hershey. If you do run across a better tank, make sure it's a match for your old one. I can think of 5 different Model A gas tanks used over the four production years. Six, if fordor tanks are different than tudor, coupe tanks. Not sure about that.
 
Brent Terry is the man to talk to about your tank. He owns a big shop in Tennessee, really first class work. He's on the Barn all the time.
 
Yes Brent…
However if your spare tank is really good (I’d be suspicious), working the bad screw will be much easier and cheaper than restoring a tank. I’ve done the “opening tank resto” and you’d likely be looking at $750 plus. But not currently doing them and not a quote! That’s a tough fix.
 
Just a word of caution. I bought a decent used tank at Hershey to replace the badly rusted tank for my 31 Roadster. Took it home, had it cleaned, sealed it with sealer and installed it. All was well until I tried to install the dash. In my ignorance, I thought all 30-31 tanks were the same. NOT! The one I bought was obviously for an early 30 with oval speedometer. My 31 of course has the round speedometer. I did get another tank, this time the right one, had it repaired and installed it in my car. All is good. I now have a surplus early 30 tank. Make sure you get the right variation for your car. Good luck.
 
TN..
What sealer are you referring to as premium.
I’ve not found any yet that last that well. Last time we used a POR product and so far, so good…4 years in.
 
my opinion.
using a gas tank sealer is just asking for trouble down the road. so may times ive seen it come loose and crate havoc.
yup! fix the tank properly or find another good tank.
this is off topic and is just my experiences.
ou

tom
 
old ugly said:
my opinion.
using a gas tank sealer is just asking for trouble down the road. so may times ive seen it come loose and crate havoc.
yup! fix the tank properly or find another good tank.
this is off topic and is just my experiences.
ou

tom
Click to expand...

Tom, so that I am understanding you correctly about not using any sealers ....if a tank has lost some/all of the Terne coating inside, my experience is that it exposes bare metal that begins to rust. This is where the sediment comes from that plugs fuel lines and carburetor jets. So if you are suggesting not to use a sealer, then how do you propose to keep that bare metal from rusting further? It is my opinion that we have no choice but to apply a sealer to the tank. Do you have an alternate method you would recommend??

FWIW, if you have experienced a sealer coming loose, then it most likely due to adhesion problems -and not the fuel creating degradation. If the tank is properly opened where all areas can be blasted with media to remove all traces of rust and any flaking of factory coatings, then the media-blasted surface has enough texture for the sealer to properly adhere to for many years to come.
 
The person I bought my restored 1930 Model A from sealed the gas tank over 16 years ago. I have had it now about 15 years, and it always has ethanol laced gasoline in it, and the sealer has remained perfect all these years. So no rust and no flaking either…..
 
throw the tank on a portable cement mixer with cleaner and rocks. let it run for awhile.


seal it with Hirsch sealer. stuff is fantastic. many will disagree, but it has always worked for me. some sealers are terrible and pull off after a few yrs.


Brent, I thought you said you dont do tanks anymore?
 
“throw the tank on a portable cement mixer with cleaner and rocks”

Well the outside ought to be ugly as a mud fence! I suppose pad it really really well??
I’ve seen some apparatus that protects the outside that does move such inside the tank around
The only way to fix a problematic tank is cut it open

Seriously……….
 
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I've heard of some people that have jacked the wheel up on a tractor and strapped the tank to the wheel. Run the tractor in gear and it spins the tank. Put a little bit of gravel or stone to knock the rust out.

Red
 
well at least reds understands what I wrote.......... on, not in


guess I dont speak clear English......... ugly as a mud fence????????????
 
BRENT in 10-uh-C said:
Tom, so that I am understanding you correctly about not using any sealers ....if a tank has lost some/all of the Terne coating inside, my experience is that it exposes bare metal that begins to rust. This is where the sediment comes from that plugs fuel lines and carburetor jets. So if you are suggesting not to use a sealer, then how do you propose to keep that bare metal from rusting further? It is my opinion that we have no choice but to apply a sealer to the tank. Do you have an alternate method you would recommend??

FWIW, if you have experienced a sealer coming loose, then it most likely due to adhesion problems -and not the fuel creating degradation. If the tank is properly opened where all areas can be blasted with media to remove all traces of rust and any flaking of factory coatings, then the media-blasted surface has enough texture for the sealer to properly adhere to for many years to come.
Click to expand...

Once the tank is completely cleaned out keep it full of gas. and it will not rust.
Water is what makes the tank rust. condensation. when the tank is full there will be no condensation.

On your way home from the run fill it up.

cleaning out a tank that the sealer has come loose in is not a nice job.

so many times that sealer is used to mask a problem in the tank, it bandages the problem until you sell the car, then it is the next poor soul that has to deal with it.
we have all bought cars with these sort of cheats.

ou


ou
 
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