One possible future for making reproduction parts

[mshmodela]

One possible future for making reproduction parts...

3D printing... I'm not sure what the status is with 3D printing of steel, iron, or aluminum, but it's only a matter of time, one would take old soda cans in a hopper and print an engine block...

A V8 printed engine :

https://youtu.be/iAkzb1nXzwU

[captndan]

Forget it. I'm an old fart and like the real stuff.

[Stretch Cab]

I have wondered why a gas tank couldn't be done with 3D.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Stretch Cab

I have wondered why a gas tank couldn't be done with 3D.

Done in modern synthetic materials, it would never rust.

[mshmodela]

Originally Posted by Stretch Cab

I have wondered why a gas tank couldn't be done with 3D.

That would be a great example... I would think that could be made today...

[Jeff/Illinois]

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I've thought that too, about a gas tank. Like Brent said once, the liability would be awful. Plus a complicated part to make under the old ways need like 35 separate dies????

[updraught]

You want to go to the trouble of making a fuel tank so you can stick it in the dash board ....?

Doesn't seem too hard to make a foundry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r41dcYUvNLk

[Dick Steinkamp]

Somehow, I got a completely different idea of the actual subject matter from the title of this thread. .

[Al 29Tudor]

I wonder if anyone has ever considered installing a bladder in good looking but rusty fuel tank.
Just a thought.

[denis4x4]

Speedway is doing 3-D printing to create tooling for spindles and some other items. I really like the idea of bladders as a solution for rusty tanks. Actually, they could reduce liability issues.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I cannot understand why folks believe they need a new gas tank. Why not restore what you have? This is kinda like the mindset that because I don't know how to bore a cylinder to the next size piston, instead I will buy a new engine block. Oh, and while I do feel that liability insurance could affect the price, for me it is the tooling costs that make stamping out fuel tanks cost prohibitive. Then, if you only had enough money for one set of dies, which specific tank do you choose?

[DougVieyra]

"I wonder if anyone has ever considered installing a bladder in good looking but rusty fuel tank. Just a thought. "
-------------------------------------

Now THAT is a good thought, one with promising possibilities - if the detrimental elements of 'Corn Gas' and Petroleum Gas can be brought under control. Remember 'real' gas eats things up and 'Corn' gas is even worse. BUT if those two problems were solved (tough job), then I think the other problems (Installation, Government Approval, EPA Approval,etc.) could be worked out, and we would have a great solution to a problem that plagues a great many of us.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Al 29Tudor

I wonder if anyone has ever considered installing a bladder in good looking but rusty fuel tank.
Just a thought.

Originally Posted by denis4x4

Speedway is doing 3-D printing to create tooling for spindles and some other items. I really like the idea of bladders as a solution for rusty tanks. Actually, they could reduce liability issues.

I kinda thought we had discussed this before, but I am always ready to implement modern methods, ...so refresh my memory on how this bladder would work, please.

I thought we calculated it, and the area between the baffles for the bladder to sit in would only hold something like 4 gallons thus yielding a 50 mile cruising range. Most of the comments I remember were to the effect of the bladder really would not be worth the trouble. Has something changed since then??

[ericr]

Originally Posted by forever4

The aftermarket makes fuel tanks for just about every Ford from 1909 to present, with the exception of Model A's

Why do people think that liability insurance will doom a Model A repro tank?

probably because a gas tank in the lap of the driver and passenger would shock an underwriter not familiar with such a configuration, just as some people were the car came out. despite untold millions of driving miles in the many decades since then, with no cascade of problems.

as an aside I wonder what took so long to move the steering column support bracket as the later location would have saved manufacturing costs associated with the former tank design.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I cannot understand why folks believe they need a new gas tank. Why not restore what you have? This is kinda like the mindset that because I don't know how to bore a cylinder to the next size piston, instead I will buy a new engine block. Oh, and while I do feel that liability insurance could affect the price, for me it is the tooling costs that make stamping out fuel tanks cost prohibitive. Then, if you only had enough money for one set of dies, which specific tank do you choose?

well one complicating factor in such a restoration is the conflicting advice posted at times regarding sealants. add to that the perceived decline in the number of specialty repair shops over recent history. Have you seen many new radiator repair shops opening up lately? or new plating shops, as a corollary? new machine shops springing up all over?

society in general has moved from repair to throw-away and old car owners are not immune from those ramifications.