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4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 11:32 am
by Erik Thomas
Greetings:

Just installed a new made in Europe 4,000 dollar GT fuel tank into my '60 356 B. The old tank was shot, so figured to upgrade to the larger tank. Mistake. New tank leaks out of the seams, and around the vent on the top. Alternative 1 is to take the tank apart and re solder it. Alternative 2 is to seal it with some sort of "miracle tank sealer"

Anyone have a tank sealer they can recommend?

Thanks, Erik

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 12:20 pm
by Ron LaDow
Have you contacted the supplier? If you fiddle with it, it's a pretty sure bet that any warrantee is void.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 1:26 pm
by John Brooks
Ed. That sucks, shipping it back is going to be expensive. Or

If there is an air conditioning shop around that still makes ducts they might be able to re solder it. Or an old roofer who has done copper. It take an old school sheet metal guy with a gas forge and a 12-16 oz soldering irons. Since its had fuel it it, getting the flux in the seams will also be a pain. You will also need to find some real lead solder. He might be able to reflow what's there, but probably need more lead.

Get a air hose or blower on it, start the venting, big hole down to remove the fumes. I put a heat lamp on the top, heat the tank to around 125f with air blowing in the tank for 24 hours. Getting the fumes out and all the seams dry is mandatory before starting.

Good luck

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 1:29 pm
by Adam Wright
You might also be able to fit a race car bladder in it.

Ironically I had a guy recently offer me a repro GT tank, but it was un-tested, after hearing your story I'm glad I declined. Another great reason this board is great.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 5:08 pm
by Jim Clement
my regular gas tank leaked.. I took it to known high quality / industrial type rad shop.. they fixed the leaks.. did a great job.
they also offer a bladder version..
the bigger rad shops know how to complete this.. contact them in your area.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2017 12:29 am
by Jim Alton
I've had fuel tanks fixed by an old-school radiator shop. They're used to cleaning and soldering big metal automotive things.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2017 7:34 am
by Martin Benade
The only trouble is that radiator shops are now quite a rarity. You might not have one locally any more.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sun Jun 11, 2017 9:09 am
by Jim Alton
Martin Benade wrote:The only trouble is that radiator shops are now quite a rarity. You might not have one locally any more.
Too true I'm afraid.

Harry and Son Radiator in Temple City, California fixed the cracks at my 356A's filler neck, cleaned and relined it. They were pretty well known--they got radiator work from European restorers but closed when Bob Trepanier (and Son) passed away.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2017 3:34 pm
by Thom Fitzpatrick
Erik Thomas wrote:Just installed a new made in Europe 4,000 dollar GT fuel tank into my '60 356 B.
How in the hell is a new tank $4k, and how in the hell do they let something out the door that they haven't tested?

Speaking of testing, I think you should probably make a visit to the clinic: after getting sodomized that hard, who knows what you picked up.

I had a bug tank years ago that seeped at the seam; I used the POR-15 tank sealer epoxy kit which fixed it right up.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2017 7:00 pm
by Adam Wright
Thom Fitzpatrick wrote:
Erik Thomas wrote:Just installed a new made in Europe 4,000 dollar GT fuel tank into my '60 356 B.
How in the hell is a new tank $4k, and how in the hell do they let something out the door that they haven't tested?

Speaking of testing, I think you should probably make a visit to the clinic: after getting sodomized that hard, who knows what you picked up.

I had a bug tank years ago that seeped at the seam; I used the POR-15 tank sealer epoxy kit which fixed it right up.
I would assume this is one of those hand built, one off, GT tanks, which explains the high price. Unlike the regular ones that are produced by the 100, these are one off hand fabbed pieces, so you pay the price. As for why they aren't tested, that I can't explain.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 12:49 am
by David Nicholls
Hello Eric

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Sounds like yours is the last tank they'll ever sell !

Like Thom, I've had great success with POR15 Tank Sealer.
One tank I did 15 years ago, the other, 10.
Great for tanks with rust holes.
Make sure the breather holes are clear, after you use it.

Regards
David

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:34 am
by Erik Thomas
Thanks to all who have answered. This is one of the hand made GT tanks, and it is a pretty impressive piece. Baffles inside, nicely made, and the original style forward reserve tube, under the dome. Getting a petcock to work was also a challenge, resolved by making a separate finger strainer part for the reserve function. Now in the process of sealing the tank up. Should be ok. The seller did advise to check it for leaks, so my bad for not doing a hydro test and then soldering it, before I put the paint on and gas in. I think the tank had to be worth the 4K - as it is complicated and must have been very difficult to produce at any price.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 1:28 pm
by Mike Ruddy
Erik, I salute your optimism and positive review of this rather expensive piece of engineering.

I fear not everybody would be so complementary on finding their purchase was so totally unfit for purpose.

With this in mind I wonder if I could interest you in some chocolate fire guards I have in stock, or indeed some bicycles developed specifically for fish.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:39 am
by Dick Douglass
Shop talk,
Lot Boy owned a shop and had spare original parts up in the loft. There was a original GT tank in the spare parts.
He always did a quick survey when up in the loft to make sure no one had been up there. One day he noticed the GT tank was gone, and his new hire had had trouble with the tank in his B car. He summoned the hourly and asked him to pull his B car into the service bay and open the front hood. There was the original GT tank from the loft!
He then had the hourly remove the GT tank and once that was done they pushed the car out into the street and called a tow truck and advised the hourly to never come back.

Re: 4,000 dollar fuel tank leaks

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 7:25 am
by John Weyand
When I was doing my C coupe, I took the rusting fuel tank to a shop in Ravenna, Ohio operating under a franchise called "Re-New". I had done some prior tanks for VW's and two PU trucks with the DIY kit that left a white liner inside. The Re-New left a redish color inside but sealed well and has shown no issues for three years.