leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Hi Model A friends,

May I address the community with a question about a repair of a leaking gas tank.

It is about my 1930 Fordor Town Sedan Deluxe, RHD. There is a slight leak at the gas tank at the steering column bracket, welded to the gas tank, fuel is not dropping, but smell is disturbing and my wife does not join me on trips because of that. The steering column has a second bracket, possible retrofit and that holds the steering column in place.

I don't want to remove the gas tank by now, it is a too massive operation and I am considering to use a liquid metal to seal the presumable leak from outside, around the welded bracket.

Is there someone, who tried to repair a leak by this way and how are the experiences after the repair?

Any thoughts are highly welcome, many thanks in advance
Best Greetings from Vienna-Austria, Albert

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

I repaired a similar leak, really just a stain and an odor, with silicone seal on my '30 cabriolet. That was nine years and 20,000 miles ago and it has not reappeared.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Hi Dave, thank you for your answer, how did you prepare the area to be sealed, other than draining the fuel from the tank, did you remove paint, how did you get rid of the fuel on the surface to be sealed ?

Thanks for taking time to answer my additional questions, Best Greetings, Albert

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

look up jb stick weld, clean to bare metal, get gas below leak, clean surface with mineral spirits, then apply stick weld. Its like modeling clay so squish it into any crevace. Let it fully cure for a week then paint it.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

It's best to drain all gas from the tank and let it dry. I have used Permatex metal gas tank sealer, it comes in a kit to seal and repair leaks in metal tanks, available at auto parts stores. It's a 2 part mix that you brush on. The tank should only use one support and remove the rubber strip from the second support. I fixed a bad leak in mine about 10 years ago and no leaks since.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Thank you all for these useful information, during my last trip in the US I bought four different liquid, two component, tank sealer, Permatex is one of them, the other one does have even an aviation safety approval. I will follow your advises and report upon completing the operation.

Many thanks to all of you, Best Greetings, Albert

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

After satisfactory repair, I suggest you install a Steering Column Support Bracket to ease the stress on the tank mount.

This is on Bert's Model A Store, but other suppliers also stock them.

http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3279

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Thank you for the advise, I have that already in this car, must have been installed by one of the previous owners, but certainly after the leaking appeared...

Best Greetings
Albert

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Albert check your personal messages I have a question for you. Thanks much

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

For others information it is not a good idea to drag yourself into the model A using the steering wheel for just this reason.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

About 10 years ago my 29 Coupe was leaking in the area of this bracket.

NOTE: Brackets were riveted to tank for strength and then soldered to seal them.

Leak APPEARED to be under the bracket which was slightly loose.

Took the tank to a radiator shop with experience in soldering tanks. Sure enough the bracket was loose ... but they checked further.

They also found a 1/2 inch long crack about 3/4 of an inch away from the bottom edge of the bracket.

Owner said that he always strips the paint for about 1 1/2 inches around the bracket in all directions to look for cracks.

This was a VERY small leak where the gas kind of seeped out of the crack very slowly and could not be seen with the paint covering it up.

I also installed the 31 bracket and removed the rubber from the old bracket. I thought it would be good to leave the original bracket in case someone wanted to restore the original setup in the future.

NOTE: A small hole was drilled at each end of the crack to prevent crack from getting any longer.

Then a patch made from a sheet of brass was soldered over the crack.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

I plan to do the same with my truck is add the bracket. Its already hard enough to get in the cab

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

I used JB-Weld on a slight leak at the choke rod support bracket. This is just a temporary fix for me but it seems to be holding quite well.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

I did a similar type fix because of a leak the radiator shop never could fix. I used a two part process. I think the first was to clean the tank and then the second was to seal the tank. I bought the "kit" from one of the Model A vendors. It has now worked for 3 or 4 years now.

Like mentioned above, being you have the additional bracket to support your steering column, be sure you have the rubber out of the other bracket attached to the tank.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

I doubt you'll be able to patch your bracket without taking the gas tank out and doing the repair correctly. I was able to remove and replace the tank from my completely restored '29 truck without scratching the paint, you can do the job right if you're careful. Not a big job really. Otherwise it will continue to seep. My wife loves my old cars, smells, leaks, rattles and all. Good luck with both.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Here's a thought. Run it until the gas level gets low. Then jack the car up so it leans to the passenger side, forces the gas away from the leak. May be just enough to allow you to fix it without removing the tank.

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Five years and 12,000 miles ago, I repaired my tank in place using Marine Tex. I also leave the bracket for the steering column loose so the constant vibration from the frame is not transmitted to the thinner sheet metal of the tank. And as already mentioned - don't haul yourself in and out using the steering wheel.
Al Leach

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

for those of you who have added the later dash bracket to your 28-29's how did you go about doing it? I have an idea on how but wonder if theres a sure fire way...

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

Mine bolted right up. Uses the existing bolts under the dash that secure the gas tank on my 31.
Another hole has to drilled for 28/29.
https://www.brattons.com/steering-co...t-bracket.html

Re: leaking gas tank at steering column bracket
 

I do not use steering support or choke support . just better that way