Soldering Fuel Tanks

[Mike K]

I know that professional abrasive blasters will not , under any circumstances blast old fuel tanks , no matter how old .

I think filling the tank with water sounds safe . I have heard of the exhaust gas idea too .

The normal hardware store solder sticks used by plumbers etc. will work fine on steel to steel . First , you have to sweat off the old neck , maybe a old fashioned soldering iron would do it , those pointy things with a wooden handle you heat up . ( like in metalwork at high school ) . This method would be safer too, as no flame is in contact with the tank . If you do use a flame , use a small LPG type torch , a oxy flame is way too hot . For flux , BAKERS soldering fluid is fine , or any of the common fluxes sold at a hardware store . You may have to re - tin the neck with new solder . Is the neck held in with any mechanical devices ? e.g. rivets . As some structural strenght is needed to provide some rigidity .

Another alternative is , make a new tank . Just need some 20 gauge galv sheet , some sheetmetal skills. a few pieces of sheetmetal gear e.g. guilotine and folder ! It can be done , but its tricky and takes lots of time . The raw material is so cheap , it doesn't matter if you stuff a up a few prototypes . To make the ends , you use a hardwood die , you dress the steel around the corners /edges . Its amazing what you can do after some practice. I have heard of guys making new tanks out of copper .

I have to make two new tanks for a Morris CS8 , they are round , this makes it a somewhat easier task than making CMP tanks . There was,a fellow in QLD , Peter Fraser , who makes first class Jeep petrol tanks , and any other type you desire , but , for a price .

Mike