[DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16

Fri Sep 18 09:53:19 EDT 2015

Robert,

I too only had small leak, no visible signs of fuel but it would have a fuel odor around the car. I was surprised how big the leak was once I got to it, don't underestimate how much the fiberglass acts like a wick soaking up the fuel, then all it requires at some point is an ignition source........

Julian

From: npdrs at maui.net
To: julian_kift at hotmail.com; jderyke at aol.com; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16
Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:38:40 -1000

Hi All, thanks for all suggestions!One thing I am not sure about; would later steel tank (or SS replica sold by vendors) fit directly into my early 71 car or would I need to do any modifications to make it fit?I will probably try to somehow firs locate the hole without taking the tank (and engine) out of the car, although this might be impossible since there is a protection shield and then fiberglass in place...all squeezed really close to my 180 degree headers. The point is that leak is really, really small as it only makes corner of fiberglass wet, but is not enough to make a drop.I guess I will monitor it carefully and then go through trouble of getting the tank out, removing the fiberglass and then inspecting carefully the tank to find out what is actually wrong. All the best, Robert From: Julian Kift [mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2015 8:32 AM
To: Jack Deryke; npdrs at maui.net; De Tomaso List
Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16 As it is an aluminum tank, it is less likely the leak is from corrosion, so maybe a seam or as my steel tank did a contact wear point. My steel tank wore through on the shoulder where it narrows and was touching the inner fender. It would weep and smell of gas in the garage the next morning after filling the tank more than 3/4 full. I was fortunately able to remove the tank strap and move the tank over enough to be able to sand and effect a bondo repair (the stuff specifically for gas tanks) until the next time the engine was out.

JulianDate: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:21:54 -0400
To: npdrs at maui.net; detomaso at poca.com
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16
From: detomaso at poca.comEarly tanks were indeed aluminum, and the geniuses at the DOT forced Ford to wrap the aluminum with fiberglas as 'protection' against cracking. It is one layer thick and likely has long ago debonded. I would remove ALL the useless fiberglas so the actual leak can be located. Then since it seems small, Devcon or Bondo are both totally fuel-proof when cured- even the witches brew we're sold as "gasoline" these days. A pinhole in our tank was fixed with Bondo 15 years ago and still no leaks. Of course, TIG welding can also be done. Std steel tanks can replace it as well but early tanks are different shape than later ones. See the write-up in your Newsletter a few years ago on what Ted Mitchell had to go thru to adapt an early tank to a later car. Good luck- J DeRyke

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Stroj <npdrs at maui.net>
To: detomaso <detomaso at poca.com>
Sent: Wed, Sep 16, 2015 5:42 pm
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16

Hello,

I got early 71 car and my fuel tank looks as it is wrapped in
fiberglass and
painted black. 
I tried with the magnet and actual tank is
non-magnetic; is it aluminum?
Problem is that it must have a tiny leak as I see
one corner on the bottom
always being wet, but it is not enough to actually
make the fuel drip.
Are there any suggestions on best way to deal with this
problem?
I understand one needs to take the motor out to get to the tank?
Is
there a good way to repair/reseal my tank or is the best option to
replace it
with new one?
What is best option/where to buy a replacement tank that would
fit in stock
location. 

Thanks,
Robert

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-------------- next part --------------
   Robert,

   I too only had small leak, no visible signs of fuel but it would have a
   fuel odor around the car. I was surprised how big the leak was once I
   got to it, don't underestimate how much the fiberglass acts like a wick
   soaking up the fuel, then all it requires at some point is an ignition
   source........

   Julian
     __________________________________________________________________

   From: npdrs at maui.net
   To: julian_kift at hotmail.com; jderyke at aol.com; detomaso at poca.com
   Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16
   Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:38:40 -1000

   Hi All,

   thanks for all suggestions!

   One thing I am not sure about; would later steel tank (or SS replica
   sold by vendors) fit directly into my early 71 car or would I need to
   do any modifications to make it fit?

   I will probably try to somehow firs locate the hole without taking the
   tank (and engine) out of the car, although this might be impossible
   since there is a protection shield and then fiberglass in place...all
   squeezed really close to my 180 degree headers.

   The point is that leak is really, really small as it only makes corner
   of fiberglass wet, but is not enough to make a drop.

   I guess I will monitor it carefully and then go through trouble of
   getting the tank out, removing the fiberglass and then inspecting
   carefully the tank to find out what is actually wrong.

   All the best, Robert

   From: Julian Kift [mailto:julian_kift at hotmail.com]
   Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2015 8:32 AM
   To: Jack Deryke; npdrs at maui.net; De Tomaso List
   Subject: RE: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16

   As it is an aluminum tank, it is less likely the leak is from
   corrosion, so maybe a seam or as my steel tank did a contact wear
   point. My steel tank wore through on the shoulder where it narrows and
   was touching the inner fender. It would weep and smell of gas in the
   garage the next morning after filling the tank more than 3/4 full. I
   was fortunately able to remove the tank strap and move the tank over
   enough to be able to sand and effect a bondo repair (the stuff
   specifically for gas tanks) until the next time the engine was out.

   Julian

   Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:21:54 -0400
   To: [1]npdrs at maui.net; [2]detomaso at poca.com
   Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16
   From: [3]detomaso at poca.com
Early tanks were indeed aluminum, and the geniuses at the DOT forced Ford to wra
p the aluminum with fiberglas as 'protection' against cracking. It is one layer
thick and likely has long ago debonded. I would remove ALL the useless fiberglas
 so the actual leak can be located. Then since it seems small, Devcon or Bondo a
re both totally fuel-proof when cured- even the witches brew we're sold as "gaso
line" these days. A pinhole in our tank was fixed with Bondo 15 years ago and st
ill no leaks. Of course, TIG welding can also be done. Std steel tanks can repla
ce it as well but early tanks are different shape than later ones. See the write
-up in your Newsletter a few years ago on what Ted Mitchell had to go thru to ad
apt an early tank to a later car. Good luck- J DeRyke

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Stroj <[4]npdrs at maui.net>
To: detomaso <[5]detomaso at poca.com>
Sent: Wed, Sep 16, 2015 5:42 pm
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] DeTomaso Digest, Vol 135, Issue 16

Hello,

I got early 71 car and my fuel tank looks as it is wrapped in
fiberglass and
painted black.
I tried with the magnet and actual tank is
non-magnetic; is it aluminum?
Problem is that it must have a tiny leak as I see
one corner on the bottom
always being wet, but it is not enough to actually
make the fuel drip.
Are there any suggestions on best way to deal with this
problem?
I understand one needs to take the motor out to get to the tank?
Is
there a good way to repair/reseal my tank or is the best option to
replace it
with new one?
What is best option/where to buy a replacement tank that would
fit in stock
location.

Thanks,
Robert

_______________________________________________

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Managed by POCA
Posted emails must not exceed 1.5 Megabytes
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References

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   3. mailto:detomaso at poca.com
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   5. mailto:detomaso at poca.com
   6. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
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   8. mailto:DeTomaso at poca.com
   9. http://poca.com/mailman/listinfo/detomaso_poca.com