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Sketchy fix

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 8:35 pm
by jfreez
Just spent a bunch of time changing all my brake lines and while nthe tank was out, I gave it a quick clean and sprayed it with some zink paint. But apparently the undercoating on it was holding back a pin hole. So I made a sketchy repair to keep the gas from leaking out.
So I have a tank on order from rockauto. The shipping option they gave was surprisingly cheap, plus the discount code made it a great price, see below

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 9:52 pm
by Frank DuVal
Sketchy? Not really. Bar of soap might be sketchy, and that works too.

Sketchy is I would have soldered the screw to the tank. Done it many times. With the fuel running out. I use a 100 watt soldering iron, unplugged. :eek: BUT DONT'T DO IT MY WAY! :rolling:

Good delivered price on a new tank. :tu:

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2024 7:09 am
by jjohnsonjo
I have used Marine-Tex epoxy for several gas tank repairs including my Vair. Fixes are still fine, some more than 30 years old now.

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2024 8:12 am
by davemotohead
I got a hole punched in a good gas tank and I took it out and filled it with soap and water for a day to get the gas fumes out and then brazed a patch over the hole. I use the brazing to patch pin holes as well, just clean the tank out really well to eliminate the fumes before putting a torch to it! :extinguisher: Did this in 2009 and still no leaks. :tu:

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2024 8:56 am
by Frank DuVal
Another added safety item if going to flame weld/braze a gas tank is after cleaning well, position the tank so you can fill it with water up close to the weld/braze area, so the air space for fumes is small. Then even if fumes, they just poof without drama. I did this when cutting tops out of 5 gallon thinner cans with a cutting torch to uses as open top cans (trash, wash buckets, etc.)

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2024 11:19 am
by RexJohnson
You can also run the exhaust of a running engine into the tank. This will get rid of the oxygen so there is no big bang.

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 9:42 am
by jfreez
I was able to buy a new tank and install it. but my "fix" held for the few weeks I needed it.

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 11:04 am
by American Mel
Suspect Kamila is a BOT.

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 11:36 am
by jfreez
might be, this thread has been silent for a while

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 12:56 pm
by 66vairguy
Sadly anything posted gets scanned, especially since AI now uses public data to "learn".

And some of you wonder why I don't put my legal name on public forums :eek: :eek: :eek:

NEVER email anything sensitive on public emails. I use a private encrypted email for discussions with family.

BTW --- in the business news --- a major vehicle manufacture got caught selling your driving habits (modern cars record all that) to various companies (insurance?). They were suppose to ASK YOU for permission, but the permission was buried in the sale contract folks signed so they DID NOT KNOW they were giving permission.

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE PARANOID DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE NOT OUT TO GET YOU! :rolling: :rolling: :rolling: :rolling:

I see a growing business DISABLING on board "vehicle dynamics recordings". BTW some companies will monitor your teenagers driving, even set limits on were they can drive via the on board vehicle computer or plug in module that sends data to your cell !!!!!

Re: Sketchy fix

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 2:22 pm
by Wittsend
I needed to add a fuel return line and found the removable fuel sender to be a non-explosive means. I soldered the new return tube in and unfortunately that somewhat melted the plastic (nylon?) insulated for the sender. I put a big blog of JB weld over the insulator/housing and even perpetually immersed in gas it has never leaked 16 years later.

As to the gas tank shipping $15.99! How do they do it??? About 6 months ago I bought carb gaskets weighing just a few ounces and the cost was $22 to go 90 miles by regular USPS. Glad the tank shipping was reasonable for you.

Not that you are likely to find a Corvair anymore at Pick Your Part (LKQ) but for years they have been piercing the tanks to drain them. They shove a red plug into the hole. Not sure if that is a legit fix but they still do sell their gas tanks. So maybe?
PYP fuel tank cost.JPG