aussiecowboy Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 The gas tank on my 35 Pontiac is rusted out beyond repair and I want to attempt to make another from scratch, can I use plain mild steel or do I need a special grade of steel?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidAU Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Plain steel is no good. It will end up rusting inside and outside. They used to make auxilary petrol tanks for 4 x 4's, boats etc. out of Terne Plate which is sort of like galvanised sheet but has a high lead content in the coating which stops the gas attacking the steel and it is easy to soldier. In fact most of the gas tanks in older cars are made from it. I'm not sure if BHP is still making terne Plate but nowdays it is easier to make tanks out of stainless steel. 1.2mm, (or .9 but I think it is a bit light) 304 grade SS is what to make it out of. Easy to weld and/or soldier using Phosphoric acid for flux.I dont know if your tank is the same as a Chev but this Company sell Chev tanks if it is.www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=37/category_id=63/mode=prod/prd37.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiecowboy Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Hi David, thanks for the reply. I was afraid that might be the case, I am confident I could shape the tank from steel but I have never worked with stainless so I'm not so confident. Unfortunately the tank looks nothing like the chevy tank in your link. What about using mild steel and then sealing the inside with a dedicated tank sealing product and then paint the outside? I took the tank to my local aluminium and stainless fabrication places place but neither could replicate the curves, it would have to be all flat plate and angles. I will look into terne plate, can this be heated with an oxy to bend it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Heating to red heat will destroy the plating. Original tanks were stamped cold...................Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiecowboy Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Doesn't seem to be available anyway, so I'm back to rolling stainless..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivan Saxton Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Doesn't seem to be available anyway, so I'm back to rolling stainless.....My understanding is that it has in the past been favoured by undertakers in Sydney (NSW) for lining coffins. If you use stainless you need to enquire for a malleable grade. You could use a free-flowing silver brazing alloy, but it will require a much higher temperature than soft solder: In general you may use dilute nitric acid to remove the flux. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Correct about the terne plate, but some early gas tanks were made of galvanized steel. I don't know why you couldn't make one of galvanized or have it made by a sheet metal shop or duct shop. You would have to solder the joints.It is highly likely that you could find a suitable tank in your local junk yard. The dimensions are not critical as long as it fits.If the filler neck or fuel line needs to be relocated, that can be soldered by a radiator shop or sheet metal shop.Or, measure the tank and search the net for one that is close, and buy a new one. There are hundreds of different size tanks used on late model cars, and others made as "universal fit" replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I had a tank replicated by a local tinsmith from galv. tin with rolled and soldered seams. Even put in the baffle and all connections for about $350. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 How did it stand up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpage Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 It's been in the frame for several years as the car is still under restoration and has never had any fuel in it. I don't see any reason that it wouldn't hold up for a long time as many small gas cans were made from galvanized steel.The tinsmith claimed to have made several tanks previously with no problems. He did warn of welding the seams due to rusting so he rolled ans soldered them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 I made a couple of tanks for stationary engines. Local tin knocker bent up the halves from galvanized sheet and I soft soldered everything together. They did fine for the 10 years or so before I sold them..........Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 I had a new tank made for my one of my trucks by a local tin smith. I then had it zinc dipped and it turned out great. I am confident it will be here long after I am gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 There is a product called Zinc Annealed Steel sheeting that can be got from most sheet metal suppliers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now