[AT] Off Topic re Fuel Tank

[Larry D Goss]

Welding a gas tank is duck soup and fairly straight forward provided that 
you fill it with water first and use something quick like a wire welder. 
The one thing you can't do is try to use heat on it when it's empty.  The 
metal absorbs volatiles out of the gasoline.  Those are driven out by the 
heat, and immediately explode when they hit air.  That's the Whoof! you 
heard.  Before putting it back in service, the tank needs to be flushed out 
well with Solox to make sure all the water is absorbed before putting 
gasoline back in it.

Larry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <william.neff.powell at comcast.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Off Topic re Fuel Tank


> Ron,
>
> I believe its metal....
>
> Though, I'm not that keen on heat and fuel tanks... . I remember I had a 
> 1967 VW Bug with a leaking tank. ....
>
> I took the tank out, emptied it, washed it four times with soap and water. 
> I then took off the cap and the fuel sending unit to leave two large 
> openings in the tank in case there was a fire I did not want it to 
> pressurize and explode.
>
> I then got out my welding torch to braze the hole. When I touched the 
> torch to the outside of the tank I heard a "Poof" (not a bang) from within 
> the tank... So, even with all of my washing there still was something 
> combustible  within the tank... Finished the job, but that was the last 
> tank I ever welded.... Always wondered what might have happened if I had 
> not opened up the tank holes....
>
> I will keep your idea in mind, the tank did hold diesel which does not 
> have as high of a flashpoint, might work... Of course I would clean it out 
> first... But, I am leaning toward the epoxy/fiberglass route. Would like 
> to coat the area of the leak and put extra goo all around the strap areas.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Will
>
>
>
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: rdhaskell at juno.com
>> Hi Will.  Is the tank plastic or metal?  Metal can be soldered with a
>> LARGE soldering iron (copper).  If it is plastic, the same soldering iron
>> will melt the crack back together.
>>
>>
>> Ron Haskell
>> rdhaskell at juno.com
>> Riverside, California
>> USA
>> http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=3009370&f=0
>>
>> On Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:21:38 +0000 william.neff.powell at comcast.net
>> writes:
>> > My 1985 F-250 Diesel has a leaking rear tank, so I have only been
>> > running the front tank. Has anyone used one of the tank repair kits
>> > on an old diesel tank? If so, how did it hold up?
>> >
>> > Found this on the net:
>> >
>> > http://www.por15.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1515/.f
>> >
>> > Regards,
>> >
>> > Will
>> _______________________________________________
>> AT mailing list
>> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
>