Gas leak at column support
 

Before I did the body and finish work on my '29 gas tank, I put a few gallons of solvent in it to check for leaks. I found none. Now that it is ready for final paint, I see a slight weep at a corner of the column support bracket. Is there a successful way to stop this weep without destroying all my body work?

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

No, not unless you want to move the support to the dash rail.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Actually I have a rail mount I was considering using. What do you do with the existing support? Does it get in the way? If I use it, how do I stop the existing seep?

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

i had the same problem, used some sealer called red-kote. it works so good, you cant buy it in california. i bought 2 quarts and only used 3/4 of one.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

I used a 2 part apoxy gas tank repair kit from local parts place, worked great on an oil pan that I had leaking, turned rock hard and lasted for years, got to clean the metal good though.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

WARNING ABOUT TANK SEALERS! We just had a case of Redcote failing in a newly restored '27 Indian Chief tank destroying the paint job. My POR15 coating that I always swore by is breaking down due to the Ethanol in my Hendersons. I've recently seen that the percentage may be increased to 15% from 10% in gas. More problems coming. As your tank is not painted yet, I would take it out, excavate the crack and repair it by welding, brazing.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

In my case the bracket was very solid to the tank but there was a very very small seep in one spot at the top of bracket.

After cleaning and sanding on and around the tank bracket, I brushed on a good coat of Marine Tex Gray epoxy.

The dash rail bracket dropped the column about 1/4" leaving clearance to the old bracket. Haven't seen or smelled a seep of gas since.

Marine Tex is one tough epoxy. You can get it on ebay for about $12 for a 2 oz kit. You will only need a small amount of it.

Good Luck

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Steve is right, the only way to permanatly fix a gas tank leak is to silver solder or braze it, and if it has a straight line crack i would drill a very small hole (1/64 drill bit) at each end of the crack to stop it from traveling any farther, take a pecking hammer and put a small indention over and beyond the crack to give the repair material more area to bond to so it wont crack there again

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Steve, I hate to hear of your bad experience, BUT-- I really hate the fact that I just used redcoat on a 26Rdstr less than a year ago and less than 30 miles of drivein on it. Monte

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

The bracket seems very firm on the tank, and leaks from about a 1/8" spot.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Steve Ciccalone ........................
Did you see my thread, that had a list of stations, by state, that sold Ethonal-Free gasoline ?
MIKE :)

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Yes I did Mike. Unfortunately only one station in New Hampshire in a town called Freedom! It is in fact the only station in new England that is listed. I have to rent a tanker.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Use it! Remove the bottom part of the old clamp and it will not interfere at all.

Once this is done you can use any of the suggestions given for the leak.

I'm afraid that if you don't move the clamp, no matter how you fix the leak it will return.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Take it to your local radiator shop and have them solder it up. That is whatI did this spring and have had no problems since. I bought a dash support, but have been too lazy to install it. I'll regret it when I have to take the tank back to the radiator shop!

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Has anyone developed an air pressure method to check gas tanks for leaks? Seems like a bit of air pressure with a water soap mixture would help detect any leaks.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

Order PRC fuel tank seal from one on the aviation supply houses. Vans Aircraft, Aircraft Spruce are two that come to mind. This sealant is used to seal fuel tanks on aircraft. Clean the area around the mount, apply a thin coat and paint will stick to it.

Re: Gas leak at column support
 

I made a gas tank pressure tester by using an old radiator cap. Drill out the center to accommodate a valve stem from a mag style wheel. They have a rubber gasket to keep them from leaking. Just be careful how much pressure you use. A little goes a long way. To much pressure and you may create more holes that weren't there before. Just my 2¢