fuel tank value

1930artdeco

1930artdeco

Well-known member
A coworker has an early 30 tank that he is willing to sell me. If it is in good shape what is a good price for it?

Mike
 
Don't appear too excited about it. $75-$125. Remember, you're probably the only one around that would want this. The pool is shrinking every day!
 
When you see 30 tanks they're usually oval. Deluxe Roadsters came out after the changeover so when people restore a standard they upgrade and switch out the tank. Then the old turns up at the flea
 
This will be a spare tank for me-good to just have a spare around. Right now I have a round speedo but this is an oval one. I will look it over when I get a chance. Fortunately it is hanging in a barn/shed with all openings covered.

Mike
 
1930artdeco said:
This will be a spare tank for me-good to just have a spare around. Right now I have a round speedo but this is an oval one. I will look it over when I get a chance. Fortunately it is hanging in a barn/shed with all openings covered.

Mike
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Mike, I know this is not popular to hear, but based on years of us restoring Model-A tanks, I can tell you that about 9 out of 10 tanks have rust inside. So in essence, you are buying a core tank that needs to be restored.
 
Brent…you are probably right-sigh. I have not looked inside yet. I just bought a bunch Model A parts. So it is going to get pushed off for a bit, it is t going anywhere.
 
always wonder why someone on this site doesnt do tank cleanouts on a permanent basis? Yes I know Brent has done them.

Wouldnt restoring tanks be better then the shock rebuilds? the shocks look like a nightmare!

lol
 
Restoring a tank is quite a chore. If done correctly they are cut opened, cleaned, sealed and re-assembled….correctly. No leaks permitted! Shocks, not so much once opened.

I don’t do them anymore, two reasons…1) cost to owner would be in excess of $1,000 2) liability. If one is associated with 9 gal of gas in another’s lap, there’s jeopardy.
 
We have a guy around here that boils the gas tank out. Will this take care of rust? Is this something we should do.
 
My experience….
“Boiling out” means various things.
It MAY take care of crud, old gas (turned to varnish) and some rust scale. Fine rust MAY still be there and sift thru system to the carb….trouble.
I’ve found few, actually no, coatings that work well for long period.
Maybe others have better experiences……
 
Bill, exactly what I thought the cost would be- 1000. range. I think a profit could be made if doing 10 at a time........ yes I know there is still a lot of labor.

shocks for me seem daunting and glad others like Brentwood Bob do them. He is worthy
of his craft.
 
I built shocks for a number of years. I never found them that daunting. What misery I had was opening 10 and finding 2 worthy; and not all those had full pressure. But many had pressure and were somewhat adjustable. Likely I wasn’t charging enough on shocks but made some decent money on them.

I likely had my 1&2 reversed. I’m not getting involved with that potential liability of tank repair. Further, not currently owning a roadworthy A, I’m reluctant to drive one very far. I know several that have made tanks in the rear with a fuel pump.
Ralph Nader would have crucified Henry. But that was then; now is now.
 
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I have used the Hirsh airplane sealer in several gas tanks with good results, though not model A.
closed up pin holes and made the tanks once again useful and having lasted many years.
 
Oldbluoval said:
Restoring a tank is quite a chore. If done correctly they are cut opened, cleaned, sealed and re-assembled….correctly. No leaks permitted! Shocks, not so much once opened.

I don’t do them anymore, two reasons…1) cost to owner would be in excess of $1,000 2) liability. If one is associated with 9 gal of gas in another’s lap, there’s jeopardy.
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I did the one in my coupe and "quite a chore" is a bit of an understatement :)
Huge amount of labor involved. Cut the top off, remove the baffles (so you can blast clean the area between the baffle and tank that is rusty between the spot welds). Fix any rust through holes or leaking areas. Then Tig weld the hole top back on and test to make sure that you did not miss any pin holes :eek:
I would not even think about doing one for double that price
 
Randy…I’ve not seen “a really good” tank in years. I bought a NOS indented firewall tank in 2017 for $600. Thought I was crazy then!
If you look down inside a tank and it looks good, it may or may not be. The tanks condense and sweat. Water, then rust, accumulates on the underside of the tank top. You can check it somewhat by your fingers…but not very far.
I’d never cut open a tank that look nice by looking in and feeling…but you never know ??
When storing a car for extended periods, I store the tank dry. Gas goes bad anyway.
 
Phil…
I seldom took the baffles out. Albeit many of them were practically rusted loose…then I replaced them. Once thru one, you’ve experienced the learning curve and the next one is “some” easier and quicker.
For me it was 24 hr shop time labor. Of course rates up so $1k likely wouldn’t do one; more like $1800 these days.
But NOT doing one!!
 
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