| Author |
Message |
Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 8:57 pm: | |
A few months ago my PD-4104's auxiliary fuel tank rusted through and leaked it's contents, and as I have a clear memory of 15 years ago when I purchased (according to the salvage yard) a "mint condition" replacement at what was a premium plus shipping price, That when filled with water proved to have more holes in it than Carter has pills! Two more tanks later I had at least a repairable one.
So I thought!
Well after trying every welding rod known to man and the flea market vendors magic brazing rod, I discovered that nothing sticks to whatever the thing is made of. So being a determined young man that learned welding at the old school of hard knocks, I remembered one last thing that could try before planting daisy's in it. So I snuck in to the wife's closet and gathered an assortment of wire clothes hangers and found one that would flow! Naturally the hanger would be thicker than the tank to add an extra level of aggravation. After what seamed like forever I torch welded with clothes hangers both entire seams and well I guess 15 years of good service is what I got.
So now that it's cool outside today, I started thinking about bus and remembered "the tank". I don't want to do this again, first because it just isn't fun to get to and second because I'm planning to live to 100 if it kills me. So I may be in for 3 more tank changes before my children get the bus. Those of you with successful experiences tell me how you have solved your auxiliary tank issue(s) in perpetuity please!
I'm not interested in alternative configurations, I can think those up all day. I want to replace or fabricate a replacement for the original! Tell me about Steel, Stainless Steel, or Aluminum, with bent corners, welded corners, rolled seams, baffles etc... Especially tell me if you know where I can get a brandy new one!
Tom C |
two dogs (66.90.219.139)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 9:24 pm: | |
think about getting it real clean..have it 'lightly' sandblasted and fiberglassing the outside |
Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.224)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 10:24 pm: | |
I have saved many rusted out fuel tanks by taking to a radiator shop that does trucks and having them boil out the fuel tanks and put teflon coating inside of them. |
two dogs (66.90.217.194)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2003 - 10:50 pm: | |
if money is no object...I'd duplicate it in stainless..any good welding shop could do it for probably 800, it would be here when your kids were 100 |
Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 7:42 pm: | |
Geoff, I'm interested in how the teflon is applied and how it bonds to the tank.
Tom C |
Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.9)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 18, 2003 - 8:37 am: | |
The radiator shop pours in the teflon liquid, lets it set for awhile, then tuns the tank to another angle and so on until all the sides are coated. It has to set for a day or two to dry. The key to having it stick is boiling it out and getting all the old fuel residue out.
--Geoff
'82 RTS CA |
two dogs (66.90.217.52)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, October 19, 2003 - 10:11 am: | |
what was your tank made of originaly?was it alum. or steel.. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (64.134.7.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 12:42 am: | |
And your sure it's Teflon?
Gary |
Tom Connolly (Tomconnolly) (64.58.196.218)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 20, 2003 - 8:00 pm: | |
"what was your tank made of originally?was it alum. or steel.."
A steel alloy, probably similar to galvalume.
Tom C |
chessie4905 (68.168.57.30)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 5:31 pm: | |
we had a new tank made at a metal fabrication shop near central Penna. a few years ago for approx 250$ out of steel. Fit was perfect and gained an extra gal. or so....they eliminated the recesses on the ends. We only had to mark and cut the holes for the filler tube and fuel tubes. I only wish we had installed a gage in it. It holds a hair under 30 gal.We use it as a transfer tank to the main tank. |
Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary) (209.128.79.46)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2003 - 6:21 pm: | |
the Gauge is not that hard to do, you can do it.
Gary |
john w. roan (Chessie4905) (68.168.57.30)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 5:30 pm: | |
yeah...I know, But taking it back down is a PITA when there is always more pressing things to do |