The Ford Barn

elfox · 01-23-2011, 02:52 PM

I am very new to the restoration process, so any advice would be immensely appreciated. I was raised on the farm many years ago, and have always admired the earlier Ford trucks. I bought a '29 AA truck a couple weeks ago, and the gas tank is in pretty rough shape. It doesn't leak, and the outside looks perfect, but the inside is full of rust. The filler screen was completely rusted, and after getting it out of the way, I found an inch of rust flakes on the bottom of the tank, under about 2 gallons of old 'crude oil looking' gas. I also noticed that there aren't any baffles in the tank. Were there baffles in some of the A's, and none in others, or did mine rust away entirely?

If the baffles weren't originally there, or if they aren't needed, I plan on taking the tank to a local radiator shop that said they would dip it. After reading many of the posts here, I am reluctant to use a tank sealer, as the risks seem to outweigh the benefits (in my opinion). As another option, does anyone make good-quality Model A gas tanks?

Tom Wesenberg · 01-23-2011, 03:02 PM

Good gas tanks can still be found. You might call Bert's in Denver 800-321-1931. Bert's is closed Sunday and Monday.

All Model A tanks should have baffles. Be carefull with dipping. A guy in our club had his 1929 tank dipped, and it came out of the tank minus the threaded brass filler.

Jim Parker Toronto · 01-23-2011, 03:10 PM

Congats on the AA truck.I have always been fond of them and would love to have one. Any pictures? It sounds like your tank has seen better days, Tom is right, try Berts, nice people to deal with!

wrndln · 01-23-2011, 03:11 PM

I am very sure that all 28/31 gas tanks had two baffles in them. Are you sure you looked far enough to the sides? What I did was rig up a brake light bulb to a battery and drop it carefully in the filler hole to see what was there - baffles and the bottom and sides of the tank. You could also use a small mirror on a rod that are sold at auto parts dealers. I have been debating with myself on how to possibly seal my tank. I have heard some good and mostly bad things about regular sealers as you probably have. I had a bad experience with Bill Hirsch's sealer some years back - it sheeted off after a few years. I am very sure I did what the direction said to do. I bought a product that Caswell Plating sell that is epoxy based. It is supposed to be better than the regular sealers and it should be at about $50 to $60 per quart & a half. It sounds like it would be better and will seal small holes in the tank. The website for Caswell is: http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm Hope this helps a little.

BTW, I don't believe anyone makes a replacement model A gas tanks due to liability issues. A company in Australia in making CCPU's but I don't know if they are making the gas tanks or you have to find an original like with Brookville bodies.
Rusty Nelson

elfox · 01-23-2011, 04:16 PM

Thanks Rusty - I used a mirror this time to look in the tank, and could see what was left of my baffles. Not pretty. Time to look for a new tank...

Any more suggestions for tank suppliers other than Bert's?

wrndln · 01-23-2011, 05:22 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

There is one on the Fordbarn swap right now. There are also 2 or 3 on eBay now too. They appear on eBay pretty regularly. Depending on where you live, the shipping can get expensive as they are heavy. You can expect to pay from $150 to $250 for a nice tank, plus shipping. I have found FedEx is usually the best for large objects. Be sure to ask a lot of questions of the buyer so you know what you are buying. You know there are two fairly common types of gas tanks, early 28 and later 28 & 29. There is a very early 28, but it is unlikely you will ever see one of them. The difference is where the choke bracket is located - middle of the tank - early 28 - closer to the passenger seat - late 28 and 29. I have several 28/29 gas tanks, but was not planning to sell them until I see how the tank in my 29 CCPU is when I get to restoring it in a year or two. If you have any other questions PM me.
Rusty Nelson
Lakeville, MN

01-23-2011, 02:52 PM	#1
elfox Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 12	Gas tank questions I am very new to the restoration process, so any advice would be immensely appreciated. I was raised on the farm many years ago, and have always admired the earlier Ford trucks. I bought a '29 AA truck a couple weeks ago, and the gas tank is in pretty rough shape. It doesn't leak, and the outside looks perfect, but the inside is full of rust. The filler screen was completely rusted, and after getting it out of the way, I found an inch of rust flakes on the bottom of the tank, under about 2 gallons of old 'crude oil looking' gas. I also noticed that there aren't any baffles in the tank. Were there baffles in some of the A's, and none in others, or did mine rust away entirely? If the baffles weren't originally there, or if they aren't needed, I plan on taking the tank to a local radiator shop that said they would dip it. After reading many of the posts here, I am reluctant to use a tank sealer, as the risks seem to outweigh the benefits (in my opinion). As another option, does anyone make good-quality Model A gas tanks?

01-23-2011, 03:02 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Gas tank questions Good gas tanks can still be found. You might call Bert's in Denver 800-321-1931. Bert's is closed Sunday and Monday. All Model A tanks should have baffles. Be carefull with dipping. A guy in our club had his 1929 tank dipped, and it came out of the tank minus the threaded brass filler.

01-23-2011, 03:10 PM	#3
Jim Parker Toronto Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,289	Re: Gas tank questions Congats on the AA truck.I have always been fond of them and would love to have one. Any pictures? It sounds like your tank has seen better days, Tom is right, try Berts, nice people to deal with!

01-23-2011, 03:11 PM	#4
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,297	Re: Gas tank questions I am very sure that all 28/31 gas tanks had two baffles in them. Are you sure you looked far enough to the sides? What I did was rig up a brake light bulb to a battery and drop it carefully in the filler hole to see what was there - baffles and the bottom and sides of the tank. You could also use a small mirror on a rod that are sold at auto parts dealers. I have been debating with myself on how to possibly seal my tank. I have heard some good and mostly bad things about regular sealers as you probably have. I had a bad experience with Bill Hirsch's sealer some years back - it sheeted off after a few years. I am very sure I did what the direction said to do. I bought a product that Caswell Plating sell that is epoxy based. It is supposed to be better than the regular sealers and it should be at about $50 to $60 per quart & a half. It sounds like it would be better and will seal small holes in the tank. The website for Caswell is: http://www.caswellplating.com/aids/epoxygas.htm Hope this helps a little. BTW, I don't believe anyone makes a replacement model A gas tanks due to liability issues. A company in Australia in making CCPU's but I don't know if they are making the gas tanks or you have to find an original like with Brookville bodies. Rusty Nelson

01-23-2011, 04:16 PM	#5
elfox Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Port Orchard, WA Posts: 12	Re: Gas tank questions Thanks Rusty - I used a mirror this time to look in the tank, and could see what was left of my baffles. Not pretty. Time to look for a new tank... Any more suggestions for tank suppliers other than Bert's?

01-23-2011, 05:22 PM	#6
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,297	Re: Gas tank questions Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There is one on the Fordbarn swap right now. There are also 2 or 3 on eBay now too. They appear on eBay pretty regularly. Depending on where you live, the shipping can get expensive as they are heavy. You can expect to pay from $150 to $250 for a nice tank, plus shipping. I have found FedEx is usually the best for large objects. Be sure to ask a lot of questions of the buyer so you know what you are buying. You know there are two fairly common types of gas tanks, early 28 and later 28 & 29. There is a very early 28, but it is unlikely you will ever see one of them. The difference is where the choke bracket is located - middle of the tank - early 28 - closer to the passenger seat - late 28 and 29. I have several 28/29 gas tanks, but was not planning to sell them until I see how the tank in my 29 CCPU is when I get to restoring it in a year or two. If you have any other questions PM me. Rusty Nelson Lakeville, MN