Pinholed '57 Fuel Tank >>

My57Oval · Samba Member Joined: March 10, 2005 Posts: 624

What do you think, braze it? Solder? Its just the right corner that's weak. The opposite corner, left bottom, is much more solid, no pinholes. I've brazed stuff like this in the past but don't have access to those tools anymore.
I thought I would get it repaired, then seal it with the Eastwood POR 15 kit, and then get it painted L29.

Anybody ever try solder on holes this size? With braze I think I'm much more likely to blow through the rest of that corner.

Someone should make a replacement section for this little spot that so often rots out. Cut it out, weld in a new section and seal the inside! Done.

Maybe Virtanen would/could make some up? He makes everything else!!! Such beautiful work.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Rob

OLDveedubs · Samba Member Joined: February 10, 2003 Posts: 602

How much is your time worth?
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GLHTurbo · Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 6:58 pm Post subject:

wonder how this jb weld putty works?

http://www.jbweld.com/collections/epoxy-putty-sticks/products/steelstik-epoxy-putty-stick
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1966 Bus

My57Oval · Samba Member Joined: March 10, 2005 Posts: 624

From my experience, there isn't much time involved, why? I've brazed a dozen or so tanks in my prior life. Sometimes the metal is just to thin though.

Marine Tex works way better than JB Weld, but I'd rather try to fix it right.

BTW, I've got a different tank, a '56 only that's in great shape if anyone wants to trade for a '57 style tank. 2 horizontal ribs run the length of the '56 tank in front, vs. the 4 verticals ribs on the '57.

Rob

jason · Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 9:29 pm Post subject:

Cut it out and weld in a new piece. Take no time. I used to braze things at work. I don't anymore, I heard the braze is bad under paint. It has a chemical reaction or something. I can't remember what it was, I just remember not doing it anymore.

My57Oval · Samba Member Joined: March 10, 2005 Posts: 624

OK. Thanks for your advice Jason.

People who specialize in welding..they must have setups or specific types of welders to do very fine work like this? Obviously this is not structural, and the fix, while important to stop the fuel from leaking, is really only cosmetic.

So not a lot of weld is needed, just a very fine bead of weld material. What type of welder does this finer type of work?

Thanks!

Rob

splitjunkie · Samba Member Joined: April 04, 2006 Posts: 4095

That is rusting from the inside out. Inspect the inside really well. Very likely what you are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.
_________________
Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

My57Oval · Samba Member Joined: March 10, 2005 Posts: 624

Thanks. Yeah I'm going to cut that section out and get another piece welded in. The rest of the tank looks really good. Its just the lower edge where water accumulated and sat.

From now on I will siphon fuel out of the tank when the car sits.

R

Bruce · Posted: Wed May 13, 2015 7:57 pm Post subject:

Kjell Roar · Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:24 am Post subject:

Loctite's Metal Magic is one of the easiest solutions.

The Norwegian army got it in their lorries in case of repairing bulletholes in the tank...
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I got a historic car, every scratch got a history...

My car, Aug. 4th, 1955 / an early 56: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=610438


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