Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

I noticed a leak at the flared fitting on tank and have been trying to stop the leak w/o success.

First attempt: tighten the nut, no
Second: purchased 5/16 brake line for new flared fitting and Nut, no
Third attempt: bypass flared fitting, installed 1/2" fitting with 5/16" stub, no
Fourth: install rubber o ring between fitting and tank, no...start hearing words about insanity from wife...
Fifth: purchased gasoline resistant glue, glue fitting to tank, no
Sixth: purchased gasoline resistant teflon tape, no....thinking about buying a 38.
Seventh: Drop tank and just have it welded? Called local radiator shop, " I've been seeing replacement tanks with leak issues at fitting...."

Now, I am agreeing with wife to drop the tank and someone's insanity. Anyone else? No, I'm not writing about insanity, just the issue with Tank.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

My father repaired a similar leak by using JB weld. He put it all around the leak where the fitting went into the tank and was still there when he sold the jeep. Good luck!!

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

It needs to go to the rad shop. If you buy the .38, your wife will be left with the leak... ;)

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

I am using one of those repro '55/56 wagon gas tanks in my '55 Courier. It does not leak.
Before condemning the tank, look at the flare on your 5/16" metal tubing. Any imperfections in that flare will leak. When I re-did my Courier, I installed all new fuel and brake lines.
JB Weld will absolutely not hold anything around gasoline.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

It did work though.............maybe military jeep gas was different. Jus sayin............

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

... hmmpf ...

Good Point

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

Try another flared fitting?

" and that's when the fight started".. .��

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

The FAQ's on the JB site. Check other products listed for "wet" gasoline or water repairs.

https://www.jbweld.com/faqs

Doesn't say if it'll fill the hole from a 38, but might work on a fitting.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

Is the tank drained enough to remove the fitting/line? Inspect closely the fitting/flare for damage.

Maybe buy the shortest section of flared repair line, put a brass cap-off fitting on one end, install and see if it still leaks? If it does, most likely the tank fitting.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

if the rad shop said they(he) had seen it before and you trust him why waste your time.let the rad shop repair it they deal in those things all the time.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

Well, well, should have taken a look at the picture sooner.
Perhaps a burr about 1 and perhaps corrosion on take itself at 9.

Taking tank out soon, Holidays will probably interefer with repair.
Merry Christmas and a Great New Year Everybody and big thanks to all those who respond to fellow Ford Enthusiasts inquiries!

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

I have seen new fitting nuts from overseas with a line down the threads. Fuel would follow the line and leak. I looked through a bunch of them and found older fittings with no line.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

I have not seen self-tapping fittings on metal fuel lines, but even if they did have the self-tapping threads, they should still NOT leak.
The seal has nothing to do with the threads. The flare end of the metal tube is crushed against the fitting in the tank. That's the seal.
BTW, the thread used on all those metal tubing is NOT a tapered National Pipe thread. It is straight pipe thread, and does not tighten as it is turned clockwise.
If the gas tank was an old one that had been disconnected from the fuel line at a junkyard for any number of years, you could assume that the female fitting in the tank would be corroded and would not accept a good seal.
But I think he has a repro tank, so that isn't it.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

Daves55Sedan
I put a thread gauge on it, 20" with 1/2" Nut.
It also looks like the flare end on tank may be corroded.
The tank is a repro tank, perhaps the tank sat out prior to being sold?
Also I think the tank holds less gallons than it should, as you might know, perhaps, the tank on your Wagon is larger than on the Sedan?

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

Merry Christmas!


Couldn't make it back to the Red Chairs in Canada, Kootenay N.P. Marble Canyon

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

The line I'm talking about is not a self tapper, it is from manufacturing. The line is very fine, you need to really look for it. I agree with you on it should seal at the tapper. They dont always.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

All I can tell you is that the original fuel line is 5/16 metal tubing with standard straight pipe fitting and 1/2" hex. That factory flare is a double lapped inward which enhances the seal as you tighten. Don't know how many threads per inch, but it is a standard fitting. I don't think it is available in different thread configurations.
All '55 and '56 car gas tanks hold just under 17 gallons, but the wagon gas tanks are different and will hold just under 19 gallons.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

During the years (1996-2000) that I was building my '55 Courier, there was only a partial body and frame to start with. I wound up buying a very rusty used '56 wagon gas tank from a junkyard, sight unseen and had it shipped here (out of desperation since wagon tanks were not being reproduced back then).
That gas tank was rustier and nastier and the bottom was smashed in. I worked for two days grinding rust off of it and still couldn't get it all.
Anyway, of course the fuel line fitting was really rotten. I recall working for two days with a chemical and an old tooth brush trying to dissolve the rust out of that fitting. Don't remember what it was. I think I started with naval jelly and got fed up with it then switched to sulfuric acid. I got it clean. After painting the tank and installing it, I hooked up my new fuel line and it never leaked.
That tank is gone now. You could never achieve an accurate fuel level the way the bottom of that tank was caved in.

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

Question. Is it possible to remove tank w/o removing filler neck?
I'd rather remove the neck once the tank is out.
Possible to maneuver past the frame rail and lower pan?

Re: Fuel Tank Leak Fiasco at Tank '56
 

NO! look at how long that filler neck is and don't forget that the top of the filler neck has a mounting bracket that sits on top of the body bracket. If you did attempt to remove tank and filler neck as a unit, you would bend something at a minimum.
Always loosen worm-gear clamps at the base and loosen up the rubber hose, then open the gas tank door and remove one lag-screw at the top of the filler neck. Then pull the filler neck out thru the top before doing anything to remove the tank. This will ensure that nothing gets bent or scraped.