The Ford Barn

Russ/40 · 11-05-2010, 03:28 PM

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?

Mike V. Florida · 11-05-2010, 04:07 PM

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

Russ/40 · 11-05-2010, 07:16 PM

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?

b ramsey · 11-05-2010, 07:47 PM

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.

IrishHills · 11-05-2010, 07:51 PM

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.

Steve Ciccalone · 11-05-2010, 08:04 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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.

dmaxweb · 11-05-2010, 08:08 PM

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

ford1 · 11-05-2010, 08:14 PM

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

Model T Monte · 11-05-2010, 09:52 PM

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

Russ/40 · 11-05-2010, 10:14 PM

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

FL&WVMIKE · 11-05-2010, 11:09 PM

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

Steve Ciccalone · 11-06-2010, 07:18 AM

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.

Mike V. Florida · 11-06-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ/40

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?

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.

Paul from Maine · 11-06-2010, 09:46 AM

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!

dean from bozeman · 11-06-2010, 11:01 AM

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.

31rpu · 11-06-2010, 12:51 PM

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.

TK in LA · 11-06-2010, 01:56 PM

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¢

11-05-2010, 03:28 PM	#1
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	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?

11-05-2010, 04:07 PM	#2
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Gas leak at column support No, not unless you want to move the support to the dash rail. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

11-05-2010, 07:16 PM	#3
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	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?

11-05-2010, 07:47 PM	#4
b ramsey Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: ramona, ca. Posts: 58	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.

11-05-2010, 07:51 PM	#5
IrishHills Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brooklyn, Michigan "Home of M.I.S." Posts: 399	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.

11-05-2010, 08:04 PM	#6
Steve Ciccalone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: "Live Free or Die!" Posts: 510	Re: Gas leak at column support Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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. __________________ "A wet bird doesn't fly at night."

11-05-2010, 08:08 PM	#7
dmaxweb Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 510	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

11-05-2010, 08:14 PM	#8
ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: oroville ca. Posts: 1,554	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

11-05-2010, 09:52 PM	#9
Model T Monte Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vici,Okla. Posts: 256	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

11-05-2010, 10:14 PM	#10
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Gas leak at column support The bracket seems very firm on the tank, and leaks from about a 1/8" spot.

11-05-2010, 11:09 PM	#11
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,449	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

11-06-2010, 07:18 AM	#12
Steve Ciccalone Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: "Live Free or Die!" Posts: 510	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. __________________ "A wet bird doesn't fly at night."

11-06-2010, 09:46 AM	#14
Paul from Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oxford Hills, Maine Posts: 325	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!

11-06-2010, 11:01 AM	#15
dean from bozeman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 997	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.

11-06-2010, 12:51 PM	#16
31rpu Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 33	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. Last edited by 31rpu; 11-06-2010 at 02:33 PM.

11-06-2010, 01:56 PM	#17
TK in LA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: La Verne, Ca. Posts: 854	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¢