I have a spare fuel tank, wich the guy said does leak. However the sending unit was still good. I have seen someplace before where someone repaired a leak on the top of the tank with fiberglass. So, my question is this, has anyone here fiberglassed a fuel tank before? Will it hold up to the gas? If I could fiberglass it, I would so I would have a good spare cheap. But, if it will only hold for a short time before the gas eats it away, then there is no reason to! Thanks.
I have a site in my favorites (on the lap top computer) of a company that builds tanks. No idea if they can/will do Pinto tanks ?
I'll have the other computer fired up in a couple days. I'll shoot them an e-mail and find out.
there is a place in greenville , pa that will rebuild any tank.
Have the tank flushed then welded up by a radiator shop. It's inexpensive, and really fixes the problem. Add a tank sealant for long lasting results. My wagon tank was bad, and it's fully restored this way without any issues.
Chris
Thanks for the replies so far guys. I know I have looked into two places that restores tanks. They tend to be pretty pricey from what I have seen though! I am looking for something cost effective(cheap) but will hold up to the test of time(normal use). I am not sure if the current take has a leak on the top or not? If anyone remembers me asking a while back as it smells when I top it off. But otherwise, as long as I dont completly top it off, theres no fumes. So that is why I am toying with different ideas for now until the time comes where I can afford to do something. If I could spend $50 to do it one way or another, that would tickle me pink! But $200 or more is way out of the ball park for this boy! I have seen fiberglass tanks before. But then again do these use special epoxies, or have inside liners what have you? For the radiator shop to flush and weld. That may be a good idea! If I had a mig, I might try it myself. However, using a arc welder, I am sure to only make it leak tons more! ROFLMBO! I am open to any reasonable ideas here though for sure! I know in avarage, any "new" tank I have gotten has been between $125- $150. So I would be prepaired to spend up to that. I know many tanks can be had for a fifty spot from a yard. But then again, I wont find one of them around here. But that sure would be a nice price! O know after $150, I could almost get a smaller cell to go underneath! Or one to fill the spare tire cavity. So I would wiegh in those ideas! Thanks.
If you are having a strong gas smell only when toping off, it may be the seal where the filler pipe meets the tank, which can be bought at a local Ford dealer. part# E1AZ*9072*B
Gas tanks are very easy to solder (soldering iron only) I have done several and "even a cave man can do it". You must clean the spot to be soldered. I use scotch brite pads.
I have a Weller soldering station. Any suggested temp setting? Any certain chemicals to use to clean the area? What kind of solder do you use? I have regular solder for copper plumbing and flux core silver solder used for circuit boards primarily and dentistry. But I use that to solder together my model car frames. LOL. Let me know and I may give it a whirle! Thanks.
Acid core is what I use. What I use is a very large soldering iron, but that no problem, as any iron should work. Just don't try to get the gas tank hot enough to melt the solder as thats not necessary. Its very easy to do. The solder REALLY sticks to the tank, so its easy.
Don't mean to be a debbie downer, but shouldn't the tank be empty without any fumes before soldering? Won't any extreme heat cause a fire, and with a tank, explosion?
In my case, I wont have to worry about that as the spare tank has been off for years! But that is a very important thing to think about for others! Thanks.
The link I mentioned. I didn't look the site over much. No idea if it is what you are looking for.
http://www.titanfueltanks.com/
Tinker - keep in mind any tank you have to fix will still have issues. Fix one hole and another will soon pop up.
Sent mine here when I had the Pinto tank still in it. )now have a mustang 16 gallon tank) http://www.gas-tank.com/ (http://www.gas-tank.com/) I didn't want to take any chances, it is after all a gas tank and I wanted it done without having to second guess it. Just another piece of input. Soldering might be just as good, just not the way I went.
Reeves1, when I checked out the site all I could find are truck tanks?
Unless you plan on turning the Pinto upside down, I would think the empty tank would have to be removed first from the car and then soldered. There is no easy way. Remove it first, no matter how you fix it.
Well, the tank in question for me is off. But, turning the car over like say in a rotissare would be kinda cool! Too bad thay dont make one of those for a car on the frame for home mechanics who do not have enough room for a lift! HEHEHEHE.
I think it was the last issue of Pinto Times that had instructions on how to build a rotisserie to clean and undercoat your Pinto.
Pulling the tank isn't much work at all actually, if you have the rear of the car on jack stands.
I pulled the tank on my 78 a year and a half ago in about 30 minutes. I pulled the tank on the 73 station wagon in about 15-20 minutes. Difference being, the filler neck is longer in the 78 and took a bit more wrestling to get out!
yeah, appears to be simpler then it was on my van with a 30 gallon tank that was full with the extra stuff attached to them! LOL. Esp. With the rusted bolts!! LOL. Nice thing is, I have one to try to get refurbished one way or another hopefully before the one on the car goes bad and not usable! LOL.
Knock knock. Oh oops, that wasnt wood. Duh! I spoke too soon! Filled her up today and I srpung three visable leaks! Oh bother. While under the car looking around, noticed that A the old brake lines are still on and they just tied the new ones on. LOL> One rear shock is leaking as well. The inner fenderwells in the rear have been sheeted over and the floor boards are MUCH worse then they feel! I tried to do a leak test on the old tank. I counted 27, yes I said that right, 27 holes in the top of it! So I am doomed! Alternatives appear to be pay a lot to have someone make a crappy tank good. Buy a larger fuel cell. Buy a keg and hook it up or have someone run into the back of me? LOL. J/K. But, not my options are greatly decreased and the time frame has dramaticly decreased! So now for me to start wieghing the option. Happy happy joy joy!