'35's Out of the Garage

[jfcrash]

It's been the last 8 years that I really got serious in starting a body off/frame up restoration.....prior to that I spent 5 years of collecting parts and taking pictures.....

Today, the plan was to roll the Phaeton out of the garage for the first time, add coolant, one gallon of gas and then fire it up.

It did start...then the wife said something is leaking at the rear of the car.

It's the new Drake 35/36 fuel tank, not out of the drain plug but from around the hole where the drain plug socket comes thru the tank bottom. Looks like the plug socket is held in place with a couple of rivits...

Now what ?? the last thing I want to do is take the tank out...

Thanks, Jim

[tierod]

Call Drake and see what kind of lame answers they will dream up. Had bad luck with a 36 pu tank and their response was that no one else ever had a problem. Right!

[Gumpy]

repair the tank but before take a video or pictures of it leaking...drain and remove the tank.....call your local radiator shop and see if they can seal it...ask drake if he'll pay for repair on tank....they're good people and will help!

[FlatheadTed]

It looks a nice job so far Crash!

[al pa.]

I think Drake has an accessory for that type tank.It's similar to the can,that hangs under a gas grille,to catch the grease.No one with this accessory,has ever had a problem.I always liked 35's,sarcasm is for tank designer.Nice work on the car.

[Vic Piano]

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Not sure what to suggest about the gas tank but you sure are doing an outstanding job on the car. Vic

[FL&WVMIKE]

jfcrash ........................
It sure looks like you are doing a fine job on your '35 ! Keep it up !
When you call BD, you will find that you are the first person, in the world, to have that problem - Stock answer.
MIKE

[37ford4dr]

car looks great, i always start the engines with only water and no antifreeze just in case ...a leaking gas tank boy thats disappointing. good luck with the repair, bob

[Ken Crans]

Hey Jim, That sucks that the tank has that issue. I'm sure you can work something out with B D. Don't they call your car a Phaeton Tub? LOL That is one nice 35.Ken

[Russ/40]

Not only a nice job on the restoration, but koodos for your tenacity. It is not easy to stay on course after all those years. So many people lose interest. How about posting a larger photo of your avatar, which I'm assuming is the same car before. How did you end up with the car?

[Mike in AZ]

looking beautiful....good job....Mike

[39portlander]

Look's good Jim, I'm thinking my 39 project would just take a "few years" It's almost been two but were about half way

That suck's about your tank, but that sound's just like my wife (The supervisor) God lover alway's pointing out somethin going wrong

[oldbugger]

Thats a beauty, to bad about the tank. Did you take a ride any way?

[Gumpy]

Jim hows your 35 coming along?

[jfcrash]

Thanks for asking Gumpy, as well as for all those comments to the original post….

The fuel tank leak issue turned out to be a problem with the pipe threads inside the drain plug neck…not a leak as originally thought…

Before doing anything, over the next week, I drained and refilled the tank several times watching the leak slowly develop. I came to realize that the drain plug itself was only catching by a few threads before it was tight and was not traveling fully into the drain hole…the gas seemed to come from around the treads and then work its way up to the bottom of the tank… I chased the drain threads with a 3/8-18 NPT tap and the plug became fully engaged within the drain hole…problem solved…. this was a huge relief.

The reassembly activities on the Phaeton are slowing down as I am waiting to get into the upholstery shop, Nov/Dec, for seats and top installation, saving fenders, doors and the balance of the electrical,etc for when I get it back.

In the mean time, my Wife and I are getting ready to start a new winter Restoration project…..our 1960's Kitchen, I am told it’s going to be a floor up / wall to wall project,LOL

Thanks,Jim

[Gumpy]

good for you Jim....got our last few sunning days here before the weather turns to rain,,,,yes sometimes ours wifes are more important than the car projects...your car looks great!!! keep us posted.....Gump

[Shadetree]

Great looking car and an excellent restoral started. I bought a Drake gas tank in 2007 with no issues. Glad the problem was solved without taking the tank back out.

Shadetree

[tub1]

great looking car 1935 phaetons are my favorite early ford but im easely pleased

[Woodie1]

I like your car Jim. It looks like your patience is starting to reward you. Post more pictures as it progresses.

[31chevy]

Very Very nice!
Gary.

[34coupe]

Originally Posted by jfcrash

Thanks for asking Gumpy, as well as for all those comments to the original post….

The fuel tank leak issue turned out to be a problem with the pipe threads inside the drain plug neck…not a leak as originally thought…

Before doing anything, over the next week, I drained and refilled the tank several times watching the leak slowly develop. I came to realize that the drain plug itself was only catching by a few threads before it was tight and was not traveling fully into the drain hole…the gas seemed to come from around the treads and then work its way up to the bottom of the tank… I chased the drain threads with a 3/8-18 NPT tap and the plug became fully engaged within the drain hole…problem solved…. this was a huge relief.

The reassembly activities on the Phaeton are slowing down as I am waiting to get into the upholstery shop, Nov/Dec, for seats and top installation, saving fenders, doors and the balance of the electrical,etc for when I get it back.

In the mean time, my Wife and I are getting ready to start a new winter Restoration project…..our 1960's Kitchen, I am told it’s going to be a floor up / wall to wall project,LOL

Thanks,Jim

glad you got the problem solved