Fuel Tank Surgery

Richard in Florida

Richard in Florida

Well-known member
My '53 Ford tank is showing a lot of rust and crud visible through the filler tube. Because it was cleaned and coated eight years ago, it cannot be done again according to a shop that specializes in that stuff. The guy said the acid won't remove the old coating and the new coating won't stick to the old coating.

So... since a new tank -- if you can find one -- won't accept the old sender, the total cost including shipping would be between $400 and $500.

QUESTION: Is there a safe way to cut the tank apart, probably just above the seam, sand blast the inside, then put the tank back together by welding, brazing, soldering, epoxy, JB Weld, or even mechanical means?
 
Try to run exhaust from a running vehicle into the tank if you cut or weld on it. I had a jeep commando with a bad pickup in the tank & the welding shop repaired it by running exhaust into the tank.
 
There is a new one on on EBAY for $349.Tom's Classic Cars is the listor.You can always try after removing it cutting it apart(maybe fill it with water after purging it)If metal is to thin due to rust welding back(after blasting) together might be impossible.
PS,I used to be a Fireman and in the city I worked for was a company that repaired gas tanks(tanker trucks).It would take them 8 hrs to purge a tank before welding on it.I remember an incident where they were in a hurry and only purged it for 4 hrs.The second the welder lit the torch it blew -killing the guy.
IMO its not worth the risk to save a few dollars.
 
Richard,
Corn gas will dissolve J B Weld. I'd go to the oldest radiator shop in your
area...we've got a guy up here in Buffalo in his 80's who understands old tech and
methods....hopefully you can find the same kind of guy. He cuts the tank on top
with three cuts then gingerly folds the uncut portion back on itself to expose the
inside. All rejoining is with neatly trimmed steel strips and some kind of stick solder.
Charlie ny
 
deuce lover said:
I used to be a Fireman and in the city I worked for was a company that repaired gas tanks(tanker trucks).It would take them 8 hrs to purge a tank before welding on it.I remember an incident where they were in a hurry and only purged it for 4 hrs.The second the welder lit the torch it blew -killing the guy. IMO its not worth the risk to save a few dollars.
Click to expand...
It occurred to me that even a spark from a zzizz wheel could detonate that bomb. I guess that's not a real option. Thanks.
 
Richard in My experience when you blast and weld on a tank it has to be really coated well or it is prone to rust and corrosion from moisture and condensation. I sent You a p/m with the sender info and my email address.
Tony
 
Please be careful, we have one of our local car club V8ers in hospital at present with 60% burns. He was just using an angle grinder near his tank!
His car is also a mess.
Dave h
 
Richard,
In my town back in the fifties and sixties, an old welder would take a gas tank off a vehicle and slide it under his pickup, run a hose from his tailpipe into the gas tank and run his pickup and then weld and repair the gas tank. I don't know how long he ran his pickup before he welded on it. But he did quite a few gas tanks in his time. Charles
 
Somewhere out the is a new tank,or a good used one...Keep looking....A welder that repairs big rig fuel tanks,experienced at doing his work had one blowup and kill him just a year or so ago by us...Not worth taking a chance on...That my $.02
 
I have similar situation with a tank I sealed 30 yrs ago using gas tank sealer from Bill Hirsh. It looks kind of cruddy inside now. I'm going to try Marine Clean and see if it will clean the stuff out without hurting the old sealer. Probably not ...it's a nice original 32 Ford tank......... not cheap to replace unfortunately.
 
Charlie ny said:
I'd go to the oldest radiator shop in your area... we've got a guy up here in Buffalo in his '80s who understands old tech and methods... hopefully you can find the same kind of guy.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, there was only one such shop within any reasonable driving distance; they did my tank eight years ago, but now they no longer do gas tanks.
 
Hi Richard:

SAFETY 1st. It can be done,There is a Thread on here About some one Using the exaust to purge the tank >Not sure how long / I imagine it depends on size and other factors < in the thread some one took 2 tanks to make one So do a search and you may find the thread. BUT AS 1st. PART OF THREAD SAID SAFETY 1st.

Given the choise I would persue a new tank and if you have the ability to Preform surgery on your old tank you should be able to either make a adapter for your old sending unit to fit. being a new tank you should be able to Cut & weld as needed.

Can you post a picture of the mounting of the sending unit ?

I will be watching what you do / I have some 53 Mainline & 2 vic's that when I do start on them May need tanks also !!!!!!!!!
 
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