Gas leak near steering column

[29Cabriolet]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

How is this repair done without dis assembly?

I did mine by removing the tank. A pretty significant task. On the Cabriolet the tank is under the cowl not a part of it like many other body styles. Once the tank was out, I had the rivets welded in place and replaced the column mount with the later '31 style. And I had interior of the tank coated with a sealer by a local radiator shop. Since most of the firewall had to come out to allow removal of the tank, and much of the ignition wiring was disconnected, I took the opportunity to replace all the ignition wiring.

[bluesman31]

Originally Posted by 29Cabriolet

I did mine by removing the tank. A pretty significant task. On the Cabriolet the tank is under the cowl not a part of it like many other body styles.

Wow, that is good to know that the tank is not the cowl!

[fredski]

Remove the steering wheel bracket by cutting it off close to
The tank. Buy a new bracket available aftermarket that
Attaches under the dash just under the windshield frame.
It will look pretty well stock.now try and seal area from outside tank.

I did this modification with out leaking tank just in case !

Others here may recommend a good type of sealer.

Fredski

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by fredski

Remove the steering wheel bracket by cutting it off close to
The tank. Buy a new bracket available aftermarket that
Attaches under the dash just under the windshield frame.
It will look pretty well stock.now try and seal area from outside tank.

I did this modification with out leaking tank just in case !

Others here may recommend a good type of sealer.

Fredski

You don't have to cut the bracket off the tank. Just remove the lower half, then install the dash hanger. People leveraging themselves in with the tank bracket in place is one of the causes of the leak. The dash hanger eliminates that stress.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

You don't have to cut the bracket off the tank. Just remove the lower half, then install the dash hanger. People leveraging themselves in with the tank bracket in place is one of the causes of the leak. The dash hanger eliminates that stress.

Way back in July '14 when I was shopping for my first A, the guy I eventually bought my '30 Town Sedan from pointed out some trouble areas to inspect while shopping. This was one of them.

Altho I don't have this problem (yet) this thread has prompted me to install the dash hanger on my '30 TS as "preventative maintenance". I had my Bratton's "wish list" made out and after reading the above post I realized I didn't need to buy the lower half, saving me ~ $11. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Synchro909

...provides an excellent place to mount those extra instruments discussed in a recent thread.

Yes... In my thread about the water temperature gauge I was wondering where to mount it. Another good idea. Thanks.

Partz on order...

[Y-Blockhead]

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Altho I don't have this problem (yet) this thread has prompted me to install the dash hanger on my '30 TS as "preventative maintenance". I had my Bratton's "wish list" made out and after reading the above post I realized I didn't need to buy the lower half, saving me ~ $11. Thanks.

Partz on order...

Update on my post in this thread; I received the parts I ordered from Bratton's to install the later model '31 steering column support.

I must say I am very disappointed (and a little pi$$ed off) in the finish and fit of the parts . The finish of the support bracket is extremely rough and the threaded holes in the bottom are rusty and not threaded far enough in to tighten the clamp (see pictures). More crap Hecho en Chine. Buyers beware...





You can't see in the pictures but I also had to grind down the clamp screw heads as they are to big to fit in the holes in the clamp. The lock washers? No way will they work.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by fredski

Remove the steering wheel bracket by cutting it off close to
The tank. Buy a new bracket available aftermarket that
Attaches under the dash just under the windshield frame.
It will look pretty well stock.now try and seal area from outside tank.

I did this modification with out leaking tank just in case !

Others here may recommend a good type of sealer.

Fredski

This was done on mine before i bought it.

[29Cabriolet]

Originally Posted by bluesman31

Wow, that is good to know that the tank is not the cowl!

I can only say that for my Cabriolet. I know that is not true for many other body styles, but do not know which ones may have the "under cowl" design.