Steel Tank

Is there anywhere I can get a steel fuel tank to fit a '74 roadster? I would prefer a good used one, but a new one at a reasonable price would be ok. I don't think I am willing to try the Indian tanks that seem to be all over eBay.....

How much of a rush are you in?

Well, three or four weeks would be the outside, more if I have to...the painter who was going to paint the tank and panels doesn't think my current tank is good enough to invest that much effort in....he knows his stuff....says the inside is probably too far gone

whreid said:

Is there anywhere I can get a steel fuel tank to fit a '74 roadster? I would prefer a good used one, but a new one at a reasonable price would be ok. I don't think I am willing to try the Indian tanks that seem to be all over eBay.....

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New, good used, reasonable price and no Indian. Should be a piece of cake. Do you consider $1000 reasonable? If not, then you are going to have to trim your sails a bit.

whreid said:

Well, three or four weeks would be the outside, more if I have to...the painter who was going to paint the tank and panels doesn't think my current tank is good enough to invest that much effort in....he knows his stuff....says the inside is probably too far gone

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Is your current tank rusty? Previously sealed and coming apart? Dented?

The current tank has a dent on the top, which the painter says is not a problem. The inside has not been coated, but is rusty....not rusted through, but rusty....I can't tell how bad by looking through the fuel port, but it does look nasty..

whreid said:

The current tank has a dent on the top, which the painter says is not a problem. The inside has not been coated, but is rusty....not rusted through, but rusty....I can't tell how bad by looking through the fuel port, but it does look nasty..

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whreid
Try using a rust remover solution. There was a previous thread with a gas cap seal being cleaned from rust. Get some solution put it in the sun and get some brass bolts/nuts or small chain to use to swirl and agitate the rust. Drain, inspect, and repeat until it looks good. Unless the bottom is a sieve try to save it before giving up. Maybe try a Radiator repair shop. They may be able to clean the inside.
Cheers,
Thomas,
CNN

I have one that might work for you, send me a PM and I'll see if I can dig it out of the garage and get some photos for you. Cj

Do the rust abatement, test for leaks, repair as needed, paint, enjoy. Your painter may not fully understand how scarce they are. It is usual and customary painter boiler plate to warn the customer of possible leaks BEFORE the time/money investment of a nice paint job. Good practice.

After cleaning you can seal up the petcock and gas cap openings and do a pressure test to see if it is any good. Very low pressure like 3 lbs or less so you don't destroy it. Many long long threads here on this previously. The local paint shop I use does this to all tanks before painting.

A bit of Alcohol to see if its leaking ? a litre of methanol swished about ?

Marbles or rocks rattled around in it like the spoke noise test .
( should make a healthy sound . If they go through the sides , its Rusty . :wink: )

A PROBE , which is a steel bar with a bend & nob on the end , held in a vice . fed in though the filler is used to tease out dings . Specially easy ones like that .
Or you can cut the welds of the seams in the tunnel , & remove that to get access , then weld up again . :lol: :wink:
Ussually they cut a 4 in x 2 in port , in Ea Side , underneath . Knocked out the dings , then welded em back , or patches .

A good welder with mig or tig should get it near undetectable .