Bob,
My '47 Ford had a badly gunked up fuel tank. I replaced it with a
stainless steel tank from an outfit in Minnesota that advertises in street
rod mags. It fit perfectly, looks like the original but holds more fuel
(very handy for the big Chevy V8). I have had zero fuel problems since then
(1989).
When I talked to them on the phone, they said they got into the business
because cold Minnesota winters really accelerate rusty gas tank problems.
Rust is caused by moisture (in the air above the gasoline) condensing on
the cold steel on the inside of the tank. They said that they've replaced
tanks in cars that sat for only a few months. I got the impression that
they make gas tanks for just about anything.
I talked to an aircraft collector once who said that gas tank problems are
very common with old aircraft and that the so-called "slush" coating was
developed for aircraft. Reasoning that if it works for airplanes, it should
certainly work for cars, I used it on the gas tank of my Cord and haven't
had any problems so far. The key here is proper preparation, I cleaned the
inside of the tank by filling it with water and roofing nails and shaking
it like crazy (I made a swing-like contraption for shaking the tank) while
running water through it. It IS a coating, however, and I agree with Colin
Cobb that it will eventually go bad.
Stainless is the ultimate solution, however, and the Morgan gas tank is so
simple (no stampings) that any competent sheet metal shop should be able to
duplicate it. Malcolm Terry and his son David made an exact duplicate tank
out of aluminum for Malcolm's "Plus Six" and have had no problems with it
at all. Aluminum will corrode in the right circumstances but it is so much
better than steel that it is probably the ideal solution for a Morgan. The
wooden planks support it and protect it and the light weight is more in
keeping with the Morgan Way.
Howard Clark
P.O. Box 413 / 100 East Third Street
Brookston, IN 47923
765-563-3210 FAX 765-563-8946
'65 Morgan +4 2 str, '36 Cord 810 Beverly, '47 Ford Street Rod
At 09:32 AM 6/12/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>Chuck, Ive had it out before. Its not too bad a job and requires unbolting
>of of
>the wooden framework (on which the tank rests) from the two wheel arches.
>
>By the way I have considered a Stainless replacement in the past. I have
>seen a
>supplier advertising in one of the street rod magazines, someplace in mid-USA.
>Any recommendations from the list?
>
>Guess its time to bite the bullet and get into the job.
>
>Bob Tescione
>mogman@rpa.net
>
>"Vandergraaf, Chuck" wrote:
>
> > Jeff,
> >
> > "Pulling the [gas]tank." I recall reading that this is not a simple
> process
> > on account that the tank rests on transverse pieces of wood. Is there a
> > simpler way to remove the tank than to cut the wood from under the tank?
> >
> > Chuck Vandegraaf
> > '52 +4
> >
> > ----------
> > From: carfindr[SMTP:carfindr@tiac.net]
> > Sent: Sunday June 11, 2000 4:09 PM
> > To: BobTescione; morgans@autox.team.net
> > Subject: RE: Dirt in the Petrol Tank
> >
> > Bob,
> > I had a similar problem on my 58 +4. Yes you will have to pull the
> > tank.
> > After you have drained it and dried it thoroughly (I used a hair
> > dryer, and
> > just let it run on low for hours) Vacuum out all the loose rust and
> > dust you
> > can, I fashioned a slightly curved piece of 3/4" copper tubing on
> > the end of
> > my shop vac so I could suck more out. The get your self some tank
> > etch and
> > sealer from Eastwood, follow the instructions and your problem will
> > be
> > solved. The tank sealer is especially great. The whole process will
> > take a
> > couple of weeks though, as you have to let things dry out
> thoroughly
> > between
> > steps.
> >
> > Good luck!
> >
> > Jeff Webster
> > Buy Classic Cars from America!
> > Http://www.BuyClassicCars.com
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: owner-morgans@autox.team.net
> > > [mailto:owner-morgans@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of BobTescione
> > > Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2000 3:09 PM
> > > To: morgans@autox.team.net
> > > Subject: Dirt in the Petrol Tank
> > >
> > >
> > > Brethren:
> > > Some guidance, please. Just got my car back on the road after a
> > complete
> > > front end rebuild(51 +4). However it doesn't want to travel very
> > far
> > > before the fuel line seems to get plugged with dirt. Blowing air
> > back
> > > through the line will clear it for a while, but not reliably
> > enough to
> > > drive the car more than a couple of miles. I know that the
> > inevitable
> > > solution is pulling the tank and getting it cleaned.
> > >
> > > How can I avoid this hassle in the future. I'd appreciate your
> > thoughts
> > > on the subject.
> > >
> > > Bob Tescione
> > > mogman@rpa.net
> > >
> > >
> >
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