Gas Tank worth fixing or toss it?

So, I hit a BIG bump, and the front tab broke on the front of my 1975's gas tank...



This did NOT damage the structural integrity of the gas tank. She does not leak gas from here.

The break caused the neck to slap the frame, and put a hairline crack where the neck meets the tank. If the gas didnt wash the undercoating off, it would have been hard to find.





THE QUESTION: Is this worth trying to fix? I have already ordered a poly tank and skid plate. This old tank is probably destined for the dumpster at work...

 

To weld on a gas tank you have to drain it, rinse it exceptionally well, then bring it to a PROFESSIONAL to have it defumigated.

Gas fumes + welders = very bad things

If it were me, I'd just get rid of it. New ones are not too expensive. Older ones have rust inside, weak points in their structure, etc.

For what it's worth, since you mentioned the poly tank in your post, you're probably about to get about three million responses on this site -- half will say the poly tank is the best; the other half will say to always go steel.

BTW, you can drop off your old gas tank at just about any junkyard and they will take it. You don't have to find a random dumpster in the middle of the night and worry about the environmental hazzards.

 

Good idea on the JY thing. I know I am in for a "Ford vs Chevy" / "PS3 vs XBox" / Ginger vs Mary Ann" arguement. The one thing I think folks will agree on is that the 1976 style of mounting the tank is better. I bought a poly tank, repo skidplate, and strap. This will eliminate the chance of the exact same failure happening again.

 

Ford. Always Ford. And Ginger. Definately Ginger....wait ...no ... Maryann.....I think.....Jeannie?

 

Very easy to weld on any gas tank! No need to put any water into it. If you use vehicle exhaust to dry and remove the fumes. But keep spreading rumors that it is difficult so I can charge a lot more to do it. Very common leak on rear tanks, I have even had new tanks leak around the filler. Sometimes the solder on that joint can be touched up just like a radiator and some are welded. The key is whether it is a solid tank or is it full of rust and not worth the effort to clean it out. Just letting you know that you do have options.

 

A few years back, a welding shop manager discussed the process to ensure a gas tank is devoid of fumes. He always recommended a professional -- but then again, as a shop manager, he probably had some liability issues.

I looked up a string on a welding forum. There are some good tips here but also some warnings about relatively small amounts of gas fumes and launched gas tanks.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=31637&highlight=gas+tank

 

Kinda off topic but I used to work at a shop with a tech who tried to do some welding in a old drum that we kept gasoline in. Clamped the ground on and the minute he the weld cut through the drum shot out from under him, out the door of the shop and came to rest against the door of a honda civic. Just glad the drum wasn't facing the other way. This idiot didn't even attempt at rinsing it out or anything.

 

Anyone in S Florida (Broward County) want a free gas tank from a 75? PM me.

 

Back when I worked in the oilfields there were 55 gal barrels everwhere and were commonlly used for just about everything. An old oilfield welder I knew used to cary a flexible hose which he ran from the exhaust of his truck to the bung on the barrel, after about 15 minutes he would cut and weld with no problems. He said nothing will burn without oxygen. That said, I Just replaced a tank becuase I didn't want to take the chance welding on it.

 

hey well my gas tank had a few rust holes in it on the bottom. i just wire brushed it down to the bare metal and jb welded it. and it has not leaked since. so this might be an option too.