Dented 1929 gas tank

[walkerlakeprinter]

I removed my dented gas tank that had a big amount of filler covering it. The tank is in good shape otherwise, but I am replacing it with a better one. Is there a way to remove the dent, or is there a market for a good dented tank?
I wish I knew how this dent was made.....my car apparently was in some sort of accident sometime as the right fender and splash aprons were kind of wrinkled. If my car could talk it would be an interesting story.

[J Franklin]

It can be cut out and re-welded, or maybe use a slide hammer and solder the holes.

[Oldbluoval]

I have a body shop tool called a Stinger
It will spot weld studs to bare metal. The studs are superficial and do not penetrate all way thru.
The studs can the be attached to a slide hammer
that has a backward motion of pressure. When complete, the studs can be broken
off the surface and the surface then ground flush
I’ve had some really good results with it
A versatile tool

[Synchro909]

What you describe as a Stinger was my first thought too but it might be worth noting that if any welding is done on the tank, the terne plating inside will be ruined. I'd be happy to use those spot welded studs to pull the dent but I'd seal the tank afterwards to prevent the inevtable rust, especially with your ethanol fuel.

[J Franklin]

"especially with your ethanol fuel": Ethanol also attacks terne plate.

[Oldbluoval]

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Most terne finish is long gone anyway
I’ve had some NOS with the finish but most used tanks I’ve seen has it way gone

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Oldbluoval

Most terne finish is long gone anyway
I’ve had some NOS with the finish but most used tanks I’ve seen has it way gone

"especially with your ethanol fuel": Ethanol also attacks terne plate.

Even more reason to seal it in my book.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

The biggest issue with using the stud gun as Bill suggested is tha in in this particular dent, a lot of stretch has been added that when you start lifting the metal, there is nowhere for it to go without shrinking the metal.

If you restore gas tanks by cutting them open in the factory weld, you will be able to work that dent out but you better have a jig or fixture when you go to reweld it together or it will likely be warped after reassembly. Also, the labor necessary to do repair this tank will significantly lower the core value.

[Oldbluoval]

My stinger also has a head to spot-heat and quench to shrink
Stinger is a great piece of equipment but I recall $300-400 so need multiple use application
to be cost -effective I would suppose