Jump to content

Unofficial Home of Old Simplicity & Allis-Chalmers Garden Tractors

Soldering a steel tank


larry8200

Recommended Posts

larry8200
Posted
My 312's tank had the cap well and truly stuck, and had twisted the filler neck off the tank. Probably the reason PO sold it. I soaked it with PB for weeks, but I couldn't figure a way that wouldn't destroy the filler neck, even tried a pair of kitchen bottle openers. I took and cut 2 slits in the cap with a sawzall. I did cut into the filler cap a little but it should work fine. I cleaned it all up, heated it to burn away any oil/contaminants, cleaned it again, fluxed it up, and with a pre-historic and politically incorrect solder with a 50% lead content, it was a breeze. Took just half an hour. Going back out to paint it up. [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/201159726_IMG_5215.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/2011597239_IMG_5216.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/2011597321_IMG_5217.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/2011597350_IMG_5218.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/2011597442_IMG_5219.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/2011597514_IMG_5220.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/201159764_IMG_5221.JPG[/img]
Posted
Good job, I have soldered a piece like that.
rfsmith1952
Posted
Good job. I've seen it done. The guy cleaned the inside several times with soapy water, then held a cigarette lighter at the filler opening. After a brief but loud and exciting "whuuumph" the fumes had ignited and the tank was then really safe to solder.
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by rfsmith1952
Good job. I've seen it done. The guy cleaned the inside several times with soapy water, then held a cigarette lighter at the filler opening. After a brief but loud and exciting "whuuumph" the fumes had ignited and the tank was then really safe to solder.
Not a safe way to purge a gas tank. The tank needs to be filled with water and allowed to sit at least overnight full. The gas will surface and dissipate. Then the next day, drain and fill again. Soap is ok to use to emulsify the fuel, but the vapor will still be present. The "whuuumph" can be strong enough to overcome the strength of the metal. I've seen a poor purge job on an automotive gas tank once. Good thing I was like 50 feet away when that went WHUUUMPOW! The tank actually jumped off the workbench.
larry8200
Posted
This tank had sat for 2 plus years with no fuel line on the bottom or cap on the top, vapors were not an issue. I have seen people brazing on old harley tanks filled with water that went WHUUUMMMPHHH!!! I laughed while they were off checking there drawers. :D The rustier the tank the harder to purge, the rust is porous, and will hold on to gas
larry8200
Posted
And Paint... [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/20115913911_IMG_5222.JPG[/img] [img]http://www.michaelstractors.com/forum/upload/larry8200/20115913950_IMG_5223.JPG[/img]
larry8200
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by perry
nice job, looks good ^
And Running!!


sierradriver
Posted
nice job looks good
  • gwiseman locked this topic
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...