Liquid gas tank liners

T

Thomas E Westfall - Deceased 1970 - 2017

July 7, 1970 ~ June 10, 2017
I have spent the last few days chasing small leaks in my 57’s gas tank. Today I thought I was done, but after a low pressure, pressure test I found another pin hole. I have been told by so many people to pick up the liquid liner, but several years back I used this stuff and I had nothing but trouble. Does the new stuff work better? I cannot locate a new tank anywhere and a $300 restore would be awesome, but right now unrealistic financially.
Thank you
Tom






Do you know Hiram? He was a good man.
 
I cannot remember the brand but years ago i used a 3 step flush, nutrilizer and liner and had no problems. You just have to follow the directions and its alot of turning the tank around antd it took 4 days to do the process but it left a plastic type coating that was rock hard, never had an issue with rust or holes in the time I owned the car,
 
I have used this one with good results. One thing to keep in mind though if you have pin holes, the rust is on both sides of the metal, so you might stop the rust and seal it on the inside, but you also need to stop the rust and seal it on the outside.

Bill Hirsch tank sealer...
 
Thank you for the help. I spent about two hours on the phone with one of the gas tank restoration shops today and honestly he was a kool dude! Now I only have facebook photos so I hope you can see the public photos.

This is the rear floor and you can see where the gas leaked up yes up into the tire well.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

Now for the tank photo. You can see why it leaked up into the car. Most of the leaks are in the top of the tank and the gas came up thru the well drain. I have had absolutely no luck on finding a new tank. I even had the goddess of restoration look to no luck. She is a parts locater for a local rod and custom shop. Really nice and very helpful lady.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...type=3&theater

Well I showed the restoration shop the tank photos and he told my how he does it step by step. He said “anyone can do this just if you screw it up don’t blame me.” I’m going to split the tank at the seams and blast it inside and out. After this step I will breakout the copper welding spoons and start filling holes and then seal it inside then have a friend tig-weld the seams back together. I seal the outside and pray for no leaks.
The photos are set up for external FB viewing so I hope you can see them.
 
If I were going to cut the tank, I would only cut the top side of the tank, and then sandblast. That way, if you have to replace any metal to put it back together, then you can use new steel, and the tank will look correct from the bottom. In fact, you might be able to install a modern tank inside of the existing tank shell and still have it look original. A good metal fabricator could probably fabricate a replacement for you if you were to deliver the existing tank to him, and explain what you want to do. Many times when you find problem at the top of the tank, it is a result of dirt accumulation on the top of the tank, holding moisture. You might find that the rest of the tank is good.
 
a lot of work going on here. there are a few of the roll around plastic liners that are successful. Northern tool has a kit for about 50 bucks. labor is cheap if your doing it your self but there comes a brake even point. were cobbling or biting the bullet and getting new are the same money. it just that new is better for longer. with a sitting car I'm thinking I would line the take if I got a new one.
 
tank repair

I wouldn't cut the tank open. I usually take them to a good radiator shop and have them boiled out.

Solder each small hole shut using a heavy soldering iron. The sealer is not supposed to be to seal very big holes.

Beadblast the outside and prime it with epoxy primer. Then paint desired color.

Then seal them with the Bill Hirsch tank sealer (alcohol proof type).
Then let them dry for a few days.

Been using this method for many years with no failures yet.
 
A friend blasted the outer tank with his setup and WOW the top looks like someone shot it with a shotgun. Thank God for owed favors or I’d be at the subway with no money. So my tailgate and gas tank look a lot alike. I have to shelve everything for a few months due to a financial kaboom. But we will find our way out.
 
I opened the tank up today and it is so much worse than I had thought. I cut it so I could put it back together, but the inside is just crumbling away. The entire tank is a complete loss so I’m going to run a 10 gallon boat tank in the spare tire well just to move it around. Is a ranchero gas tank the same? From the photos it looks identical. I found a new ranchero tank, but it is $425 which right now it miles well be $40025. I’m going to find a few minor fixes that are affordable for now until finances get back to normal if I can remember what normal is. lol
 
they have the right tank in the re manufactured parts stores now. at 500 bucks. a lot of give for a tank but you'll get that much in cobbling up something else to work. remember it's the standard take of a 58 caddy your looking for.
 
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