Repair Ideas..?
 

This is the place where the radiator rod bracket would be attached to the firewall, drivers side....

I'm pretty sure that is the fuel tank directly behind....I can make a patch, but do I weld it?

I'm a little leery of welding anywhere near the fuel tank..

So my other idea was, to make a backing plate larger than the hole, install it on the fuel tank side using panel adhesive to attach it, then cutting and fitting a patch for the hole so the repair is flush with the firewall, and then the bracket goes on....

Ideas?

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

To have any structural integrity, you are going to have to weld it. unfortunately that means removing the fuel tank first. That way it will last another 80 some years.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Fill the tank up with water. Can't explode then.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Remove the tank and do it right.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Deep down I know that this is the thing to do....

Only the folks who successfully weld near a fuel tank talk about it...

You never hear from the failures......

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

A couple of other ideas come to mind but removal of the tank is so simple to do, especially if the car is not in final coat of paint.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Safety first always.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

I just don't know ,but the mechanics at work weld tanks on fork lifts by putting an exaust pipe from another tow truck in the tank and run the engine when welding.Of course they drain the tank of all gas.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

that will work as well

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

I would say remove the tank from the start. The firewall can be welded without it, but if you do mess up and put a hole in the tank its going to be a bitch to fix it in place, and you may have to take it out anyway to repair the tank, after you fix the firewall.
Purging the tank with the exhaust gas will work. So will any inert gas, such as nitrogen, argon, CO2 etc. If you do decide to attempt welding the firewall with the tank in place, purge it before, and while you are welding, in case you have a miscue and blow through the wall of the tank. You wont like the result if you dont.
Good Luck

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

I have a 1930 and I found the tank a Bee-itch to remove. I do all of my thin metal welding with my MIG and you aren't liable to blow a hole with that. At least with the short bursts that I use to tack a patch in place. Dwell in place too long and anything can happen. To be on the safe side, back it up with a piece of 1/8 brass or aluminum in the space in between the firewall and the tank. I would also weld a welding rod to the patch for a "handle" to hold it in place for tacking.
Terry

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

ive soldered a hole shut on a John Deere A fuel tank before, just keep and easy flame and dont rush

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Depending on what state of rebuilding your rig, if you are rebuilding, why not just look for a good replacement tank? May be the best in the long run if you can find a good one.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

The tank is fine, the hole is only in the firewall...

I read about the tank removal process.....seems pretty involved...

I did lots of stitch welding when I rebuilt my jeep....

Thanks for all the responses and ideas....I think for right now I will focus on getting the engine mounts replaced. Right now one side of the bell housing is not even bolted to the mount.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

You pretty much have it figured out already. Just skip the panel adhesive and weld it. This is what i'd do:
#1- Remove the tank.
#2- Cut a tight fitting patch panel same thickness as the firewall and make it fit flush with the surrounding metal. No over lap. (If you're using a mig welder, you can leave a slight gap between the perimeter of the patch and surrounding metal. If using a tig welder, make the patch fit tight.)
#3- Cut a reinforcement piece for the tank side of the firewall. There should have been one there already. Just match its size.
#3- Drill (4) 3/16" holes through the firewall in the area where the corners of the reinforcement plate will be. DO not drill the reinforcement plate. Just the firewall. Use these holes to plug weld the reinforcing plate to the firewall.
#4- Fit your patch panel into the opening and carefully weld around the perimeter, but not all at once. Skip around so it doesn't get too hot and warp.
#5- Grind welds flush, and reinstall the bracket.

You should end up with an undetectable repair on the outside.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

I must be missing something.That looks like a 28-29 tank.That firewall is part of the tank,and if you take it out and set it on the bench,you STILL have the tank 3/4 of an inch behind the firewall itself.Taking it out just puts it into an easier position to work in,unless you want to cut the welds that hold the firewall to the tank and reweld it back on.You are NOT going to get to the back of that hole to weld back there unless you do just that.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

Yes, the firewall is part of the tank so removing it will bring the piece needing repair with it. Just find a new tank.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

How about gluing a piece of fire proof fabric to the tank as an extra precaution. Maybe even a thick mat of fire proof material.

Re: Repair Ideas..?
 

OK....lets see if I understand this.....

There is a horizontal seam about halfway down the firewall....it is bolted together...to remove the tank everything above that seam goes with it? So the top of the cowl there is the outside of the tank?

I have Les's book, and I read the tank removal procedure once, but I better read it again with this new understanding.....

And yes it is a '29.