Derby fuel tank removal

Christopher Hadfield · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 2:50 pm Post subject: Derby fuel tank removal

Can anyone tell me how to remove my petrol tank from the car. All securing bolts have been removed (with some difficulty after 83 years) but there seems no large enough gap to actually take out the tank. Do I need to remove one of the springs?

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 6:19 pm Post subject:

It may be best to lift the frame onto axle stands, undo both rear shackles and lower the axle a little without straining the damper links.

Christopher Hadfield · Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2018 8:10 pm Post subject:

Thank you

Christopher Hadfield · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2018 7:30 pm Post subject: Derby fuel tank removal

It is out, a bit of work needed

Iain Warner · Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2018 9:06 am Post subject:

Well done. Looks like its sitting on the drawing room carpet!

Christopher Hadfield · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 8:56 am Post subject: Fuel tank sealing

Does anyone have any experience of POR15 or similar to seal a tank. Mine weeps around two of the rivets fixing the bulwarks or would it be sufficient to solder on the outside?

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 9:44 am Post subject:

Soldering is very dangerous, and tank sealants are OK provide that the interior is clean.

My suggestion would be to find one of the franchised "Tank Renu" firms often associated with radiator repairers, and have it taken apart and rebuilt, the charges are really economical.

Paul Spencer · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:13 am Post subject:

This is from my recent experience with the tank on my A.C. Sociable. The first question is "has it been sealed before?" Mine had, so I bought a three stage sealer kit. The first should remove old sealer, the second cleans the tank and the third is the new ethanol-proof sealer. I failed at the first stage. This is obviously not guaranteed as the manufacturer doesn't know what the old sealer is. Their chemical is supposed to work with most of them, but not whatever was in mine. So I took it to MTS Classic motorcycles, which specialises in tank refurb for bikes. It took them several weeks to get the old sealer out, but then they completed the process. When I got it back, I found it still leaked, so it went back again. They were very helpful at this stage. They have now taken it to where I am having my car serviced, so I will see it when I get the car back in a couple of days.

I definitely wouldn't apply heat. People say you can run exhaust gases through the tank to clear the petrol fumes, but I wouldn't trust it - I had liquid fuel stuck under a blister in the old lining. I did a temporary repair on the outside with JB Weld, and that got me through VSCC scrutineering.

Robert Craven · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:00 pm Post subject:

As Christopher and Paul have said it may be best to find a commercial repairer near you. They often seem to be radiator repair people and perhaps a Google search will find you a local one.
I know it's not anywhere near you but years ago I found an outfit near me [Ricketts of Swansea] who did a good job of replacing the entire bottom of a steel petrol tank. Their workshop didn't blow up so presumably they used the correct techniques. It wasn't expensive compared to the cost of a new tank.

John Murch · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:50 am Post subject:

Paul Rogers did some (or perhaps arranged for others to do) modifications on a tank a few years ago. May be closer to you.
http://paulrogersengineering.co.uk

Christopher Carnley · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 9:29 am Post subject:

Anglia Radiators in Cambridge.

Stephen Blakey · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:52 pm Post subject:

Years ago, I successfully brazed some nuts onto a motorcycle fuel tank in order to remove a dent with a slide hammer. I steamed it out with a wallpaper steamer. This removed all the residue from the inside and left the steel very bare. I do remember the inside went quite rusty after that.
If the tank's been sealed with goo then it's probably best to leave it to the experts.

Christopher Hadfield · Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:12 pm Post subject: Derby Fuel Tank removal

Thanks for all your replies. I did have the bottom cut out and new section welded in and looked very nice. After my second journey one of the rivets started to pull through leaving me with the same problem. I repaired it with a thin plate and some JB weld which has held fast for the last 300 miles. Could have done that in the first place and saved money for other much needed work! At least the metal is thicker than it used to be.
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Christopher Hadfield

Christopher Hadfield · Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:12 pm Post subject: Derby Fuel Tank removal

Thanks for all your replies. I did have the bottom cut out and new section welded in and looked very nice. After my second journey one of the rivets started to pull through leaving me with the same problem. I repaired it with a thin plate and some JB weld which has held fast for the last 300 miles. Could have done that in the first place and saved money for other much needed work! At least the metal is thicker than it used to be.
_________________
Christopher Hadfield