GarageStudios Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 Team,I have removed my gas tank, thankfully it had a drain plug. gas was dirty, possibly rusty tank and / or just old metal tank. Any suggestions, should I restore it (trying to keep car as original as possible) or replace? Also, it has a copper tube for the gas line, should I replace with new copper tubing or use something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rons49 Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 Faced the same issue with my 1950 Caddy. My feeling is that if a good reproduction is available to go with that, if the price is fair and within your budget. Gas Tank Renue company does a excellent job with a lifetime warranty, But shipping will have to be paid to and from. Is the gas line originally copper? I would go with "conifer" tubing. It is a bit costly but looks like steel, but bends easily like copper, and is rust proof. Copper, nickel & ferrous. The way to go for brake line as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzzzzzz Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 i restored my original 1918 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 My feeling is that if a good reproduction is available to go with that, if the price is fair and within your budget.I would agree with this sentiment. I restored the gas tank on my '52 Buick and brother, let me tell you, it was a PAIN!! Mine was filled with 40+ years of rust and varnish and it took forever to clean it out. Days and days of muriatic acid and other cleaners soaking in there and shaking, shaking, and more shaking. By the end of the cleaning process, my arms were dead from shaking that big cumbersome thing! The re-sealing process wasn't too bad but that cleaning process was a royal pain. From now on, if I ever need a new tank I'm going to look for a reproduction. If at all possible, I'll never restore another one! Good Luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel88 Posted July 12, 2012 Share Posted July 12, 2012 My 51 Ford wagon had been sitting in a garage for 27 years. It had black hard crud in it that used to be gas which I rinsed out with water. Then I took it to a radiator repair shop and they put it in their hot tank for a couple of days. I then used some gas tank sealer that I sloshed around, and put a gas line filter that was clear and the gas was visible going into the carb. That was about 23 years ago and I have not had any problems even with the ethanol in todays gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarageStudios Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 Thanks everyone, I am still unsure, but maybe thinking new... I don't know the condition of the "steel" and if I go through all the work of restoring, I may be disappointed. On the other hand, I would like to keep all parts as much as possible to keep it "original"... hmmmm, Ill have to report back on this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Stein Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 There's a nice tank on eBay currently for $199. (look up 1937 1938 Pontiac Chevy Gas Tank) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mando13 Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Its nice to keep everything origional if possible.I would remove the gas tank and take it to a Radiator shop and have them clean it out completely.They usually do a good job cleaning it out and than they put a sealer inside to prevent any rust from developing again. Just my thoughts.Mando Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarageStudios Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 Its nice to keep everything origional if possible.I would remove the gas tank and take it to a Radiator shop and have them clean it out completely.They usually do a good job cleaning it out and than they put a sealer inside to prevent any rust from developing again. Just my thoughts.MandoThanks, I did this with my radiator and they did a great job.... good idea, I never thought they may do tanks as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Autom8r Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 I have a 1938 Pontiac business coupe with a 76 year old gas tank that was reconditioned 20 years ago and has seen it's final days. I saw your forum thread and wonder what you ever did for yours. I cannot seem to locate a new tank for my old hot rod and wonder if you were able to locate a new tank and where?Thanks,Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 I had a new tank for my '36 Dodge made by a tinner shop. They reproduced it exactly in galvanized tin with rolled and soldered seams, a baffle and all fittings soldered in. It fit perfectly. I gave them the old tank to use as a pattern. Cost about $350. Now I have a brand new tank! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Autom8r Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 I may have to try that. I was able to locate a tank for a 1938 Chevy. Both cars are nearly identical. I need to get the car up on my lift and make some measurements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimacar Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Go new if you can, a lot of issues are solved that way....I've tried to save old tanks and have ended up wishing I'd gone the other direction... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarageStudios Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Faced the same issue with my 1950 Caddy. My feeling is that if a good reproduction is available to go with that, if the price is fair and within your budget. Gas Tank Renue company does a excellent job with a lifetime warranty, But shipping will have to be paid to and from. Is the gas line originally copper? I would go with "conifer" tubing. It is a bit costly but looks like steel, but bends easily like copper, and is rust proof. Copper, nickel & ferrous. The way to go for brake line as well.yes gas line is copper all the way... Thanks for the tips.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarageStudios Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Dave, I have just got back to this thread, still weighing in my options, tank is in great shape, just trying to figure out.. Cost to restore / service or buy new.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarageStudios Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Appreciate all the responses... It's doesn't cost much to get it looked at from rad shop, I may start there, then if they (I trust the guy) says ok to use, I may save cash and put that savings elsewhere.. Thanks everyone.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Wolfe Posted October 10, 2014 Share Posted October 10, 2014 The top of my 1930 Chrysler tank was cut open and the tank cleaned and then resealed. Can't see the repair and used the original tank. This repair can be dangerous unless you are skilled and know the safety items to follow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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