Gas Tank Refurbish

[cozyheatdave]

I just got this blog from Eastwood. By coincidence I just purchased this refurbish kit for my TR7 – V6 project. I hope to do the tank restoration in a week or two. I’ll try to document my process and let you know how it goes.

http://blog.eastwood.com/mattsmotorheadtalk/the-cure-for-rusty-tank-syndrome/#comment-5542

[FI Spyder]

I did something similar with POR-15 tank sealer kit but I had the added problem of previous sealer failing and flaking off. POR-15 stripper would only soften it but roofing nails eventually got it off (with much turning) and got any rust off the surface. I'm not comfortable with "encapsulators" and any rust left is just another place for it to fail in future. I would want to see the inside shiny clean before I put the sealer in. With just a rusty tank I would do Metalready (very mild and leaves zinc coating as well as etches) or equivalent hard acid with roofing nails to get all the rust out.

http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11870&whichpage=1&SearchTerms=POR-15,tank,sealer,kit


TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[Hasbeen]

I have only cut open a couple of 7 tanks, & these were of course Oz tanks, so perhaps the rust was not as bad as some other places.

However, for what it's worth, I found the only internal rust was in a 2.5" or so wide strip, across the bottom front of the tank, where any small amount of water would lie, or slosh while driving.

The rest of these tanks had a gray surface coating, [looked like a dull paint], in very good, rust free condition.

After replacing the rusty, [& pin holed] strip, & treating the thing with POR 15 tank treatment, I have had no further trouble in over 8 years.

One thing I have done ever since the first tank repair, is use Morries, [spelling] upper cylinder lubricant in the fuel.

I don't know if this helps the engine, but I did notice it is absorbed by any water in the tank, making that water very greasy. I hope this greasy water is less likely to cause rust in the tank.

Hasbeen

[FI Spyder]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Hasbeen</i>



However, for what it's worth, I found the only internal rust was in a 2.5" or so wide strip, across the bottom front of the tank, where any small amount of water would lie, or slosh while driving.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's where water would normally lie, however as mine was sealed the only rust was where the water penetrated the sealer about a eight inch oval just above center opposite holes at the front. There was some roughness there while the rest of tank was baby smooth. Not something you would expect to find but comforting to know there is plenty of metal left in that spot. (There was only about half a cup full of water in tank.)

TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

[cozyheatdave]

Well, I did it!
I saw another topic about gas tank and thought I better tell my story.

I set aside an full day on Saturday. I washed my tank with water, and for good measure, did an early mild acid wash to get it as clean as I could. Then, rinsed, rinsed, rinsed. Then, I followed the directions perfectly. I even cleaned the outside. I can't tell you how proud it makes a person feel to do a job so perfectly. This is a nice looking tank. I even called my wife, who really doesn't care, but I have to tell someone. I said look how much money I'm saving, This tank is perfect, it just needs the inside cleaned. Once it's sealed it will last longer than a new one.

I got all the way to the step before the actual sealer goes in. A good cleaning with some Acetone and then began to air dry it so all the moisture is removed, when I discovered the holes. Not just one little harmless pin-hole, but a bunch of them. Obviously the tank was holding because of the rusted metal, but once clean, it would make a better sift than a tank to hold anything.

So, now I've invested in a tank sealer and cleaner kit, I bought paint, and I even wasted most of a Saturday.

I ordered a new tank today from Rimmers.

[bmcecosse]

Better with a new tank - not worth taking chances with all that fuel sitting behind your head!