1927 27-27 fuel tank

[Slawnski]

Just when you think you’re making progress…

 

I removed the tank from the 27 this weekend. Dumped just about 5 gallons of old gross fuel, and noticed an old repair on the ds of the tank under the strap. Looked like roofing tar was used to cover a line of holes at the top crease. The t and has a couple big dents in it and the fuel gauge neck is broken off with just a couple threads left. I put in a wanted ad for a replacement tank. I found a radiator and tank repair shop not too far away from work - so I flushed the tank as best I could agitated with rocks, rinsed a bunch and took it to the shop today. They recommended getting a new tank made and said they couldn’t help. With nothing much to lose I stripped the paint and tar off the top of the tank tonight and cut into the top. See photos. I can:

1) cut open more of the top and clean out the gunk in the tank with a wire wheel- replace rusted sections of the baffle and weld up a new section of top

2) go through the process of making new ends and formers- then weld up a new tank. From what I have seen nobody makes these tanks? 

3) cut my losses and wait for a better used tank to show up. 
 

Making the tank would me moderately laborious- but I can do it. It just takes time. 
 

Repairing this one is quicker but could lead to more issues I cannot see right now. 
 

getting a used tank could put me back at square one with a lighter wallet. 
 

Anybody  have experience making these tanks? 
 

 

[Slawnski]

Last photo is the bottom of the tank after scraping a hardened layer of crud off. 
 

 

[Rock10]

That's a lot of crud. I wouldn't think it was worth saving, but if you can't get anything else... 🤷‍♂️

[Slawnski]

The more I think about it- I’ll open up this up more to access the whole interior- clean up the muck, wire wheel the whole thing- replace what really needs replacing then weld a new panel on and seal the tank. Or seal what I can - weld a new top on then seal the top of the tank after it’s in place. 
 

Anybody have a tank sealer recommendation? I seem to recall horror stories of sealers peeling up over time. 
 

Also my gas gauge took the top section of the fuel gauge neck off leaving just a few threads. I might replace the neck but I don’t know the thread pitch. 

 

[1956cody]

I have a 22-55 that had similiar issues. Hugh Leidlein recommended Don Hart Radiator and Gas Tanks in Waller Texas.  My tank was in rough shape, and they were able to repair and rebuild it. They also provide a Renu type relining/sealing. Price was reasonable,( not cheap) and my tank is very rare. Good luck with your restoration.

[old car fan]

49 minutes ago, Slawnski said:

The more I think about it- I’ll open up this up more to access the whole interior- clean up the muck, wire wheel the whole thing- replace what really needs replacing then weld a new panel on and seal the tank. Or seal what I can - weld a new top on then seal the top of the tank after it’s in place. 
 

Anybody have a tank sealer recommendation? I seem to recall horror stories of sealers peeling up over time. 
 

Also my gas gauge took the top section of the fuel gauge neck off leaving just a few threads. I might replace the neck but I don’t know the thread pitch. 

 

Bill hirsh makes a great sealer. We use it for vacuum tanks and cork floats, never a problem. 

[dibarlaw]

The 1927-27 tank I bought (from Handleman) to replace my 1925-25 tank was a bit better as it was not with the huge dent yours has.

 I needed the tank to get the gas gage assembly as what was on mine, the knurled bezel was broken and a plastic lens was glued in with sealer and no gage. The gage tower and threads were deformed since I believe the previous owner had tried to remove it with a pipe wrench. The tank was solid though but was leaking around the bottom seams. I used a fuel tank spot sealer that cost about $25.00 for a small amount. Following the directions for mixing it was to have about 5 minutes working time. Turned out more like 30 seconds. The salvaged 27 tank looked so much better and I salvaged the gage and bezel (broke the lens). When I sent it out to be cleaned and coated the top had much bigger holes on the top side. He had to use a lot of solder. I may have to have my other tank done as well as the expensively repaired/ coated one now leaks (from the top side) when nearly full. 

[Slawnski]

2 hours with an air tool and a small wire wheel and I now smell like, what I imagine, an offshore oil workers socks smell like just after a shift. But I have this:

 

[Slawnski]

I need another wire wheel, and I’ll go after the rest tomorrow. I pre-thumped out the dents- I’ll refine with hammer and dolly. Very pleased! 

[Slawnski]

I’ll evaporust the tank at the baffles to be sure all the rust is gone from the crevasses I can’t reach. Very surprised it’s coming as clean as it is! 

[Hubert_25-25]

Jim, 

   Great job on cleaning that tank.  Myers Early Dodge has the correct gas gauge nickeled bezel - but you have to be sure to get the one that is made for Buicks.  The Buick is a 2" -20 TPI.  (Dodge is a finer pitch).  They also carry a replacement fuel gauge, and some other parts - see my tech notes.  If you want to make an original look alike gauge, that can be done as well, 

Also note that you probably need to build a fuel pick up screen, and use a brass NPT plug for the bottom of the tank.    Hugh

 

[Slawnski]

Excellent Writeup Hugh! 

 

I will need to make up my filter screen at the pickup as there was nothing but a flap of solder left on mine. looks like the pickup tube was split at the bottom too- not sure if that is by design or not- 

 

I have the gauge and cap - but the treads from the tube are still stuck inside. that might be a mess- my worst case there is cutting the cap off to save the gauge and purchasing a new cap- if the gauge still works. It was soaking in evap-o-rust for a few days and it's in a bath of MM oil right now. fingers crossed! 

 

I will also need to source material to make the new gas gauge pipe that the gauge slides into, thread that to 2" 20 so I can have a (hopefully) working gas gauge. 

[jbbuick22]

I may have a tank that will fit you car, dimensions are  11 1/2,  X 17  x  30  complete with gauge.

 

Looks clean on the inside.

 

John B

[raydurr]

I had Moyers Fuel Tank Renu, South Greensburg Pennsylvania repair my 29 Buick fuel tank. It was done in 2011. It has performed flawlessly since. Moyers replaced the floor of my tank which looked like swiss cheese. I thought my tank was junk. They did great.

[Mark Shaw]

On 3/28/2023 at 6:07 AM, old car fan said:

Anybody have a tank sealer recommendation?

I use Red Kote tank sealer.