Yet ANOTHER gas tank repair.....

[ruppluver]

I need this tank for a 1971 Sprint 440 build.
BUT,I figured I need to check the inside of it also.

Cutting the TOP off this time. It had REALLY OLD gas
in it,plus other junk!!

Inside had all kinds of thick,gooey stuff in the
bottom.It was even HARD to scrape out. I don't think
acid would touch this crap!!!
When I'm done cleaning the tank,I will weld a NEW
piece of steel over the top of tank. It will also
have an access cover I can take off so I can clean
out the center section if needed!!!!
This is the 3rd tank I've done,using a different
method each time.1st tank,I cut the bottom out.The
2nd tank,I cut the tank in half.Now this time,I cut
the top out.

[mcruppin]

I have been intrigued by your tank re-hab's. Now that you have taken three different approaches,(thanks for sharing with us) do you have a preference? Did you find one way easier or better than the others?

[ruppluver]

The jury is still out on the repair of the tanks.By cutting tank in half,the long way,it is really easy to clean the tank.But these tanks are made from thin material,very hard to weld. By cutting out bottom or top,the tank is harder to clean.Less chances for leaks when cutting top out.All 3 ways of cleaning tank,take considerable time & patience.I'm lucky,that I have the tools,the know how & welding/fabrication experience for doing the many repairs that are needed on my sleds.On the one I'm doing now,I plan to make a cleanout provision,for getting gas lines,filters etc out of tank.The fill neck will be involved with an unboltable cover. Very few tanks I cut apart,don't have something in the center section. I'll take more pics as I proceed. Thanks for your interest.

[ruppluver]

Here is the angle iron frame work for the cleanout opening.

Here is top cover being fitted to the tank & access hole.
It will be welded to the tank.After all fitting is done,I will
go into tank & clean it one more time.Will coat inside of tank
with WD-40.Then weld it up. Will also check for leaks &
then paint it. If this works,I will do all my future tanks
this way. It's the lesser of the 3 evils[ways] of doing this.

[ruppluver]

Here is the tank before the top gets welded on.
Yes,I got the top welded on,also got the gas fill tube
welded to the lift off cover.

[ruppluver]

Here is the finished gas tank! Color is black
hammertone. Looks like fish eyes.

[gargar84]

Looks great!