1930 model a ford leaking gas tank

[dale kirner]

Gas tank repair. How to repair leak by steering column.

[Patrick L.]

The only way I know of is to remove, weld it and instal the '31 mount.

[Steve Plucker]

Reparing a tank should be done by a professional that knows just what the heck they are doing...JUST BE SAFE ABOUT IT.

Pluck

[WestCoast]

the only way to repair a gas tank leak is to pull the tank, have it flushed and then welded, after you do that install the 31 steering coluom support as Patrick posted

[Brentwood Bob]

gasoline is flammable.
Anytime you work around the gas tank you need to take every precaution to avoid an explosion.
Pull the tank, and repair outside the car.
Bob

[Jeff/Illinois]

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Wouldn't soldering be better than welding? Wouldn't the heat from the welding ruin the terne plate finish inside the tank? Exposing bare metal that will rust??

[Tom Wesenberg]

My 29 Tudor was soldered, and may have been done in place. By looking at the original welting I'm sure the tank was never removed. It sealed the leak and the previous owner also install the dash mount. I'd guess a heavy copper was used to do the soldering. That's the ones heated by the old blow torch.

[Bob from Northport]

Take or send it to Brent Terry's shop in Tennessee. They cut it apart, clean it completely, repair the damaged area, then reassemble it good as new. Not cheap, but done tight.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

I used Permatex metal gas tank repair kit and has been good for the last 10 years, I also replaced the mount with the upper style 31 mount.

[Patrick L.]

I've soldered or brazed many a tank, and maybe it would work where Dales is leaking. But, just saying its leaking where it is, I was thinking welding would be the thing to do.
Taking a good look at it would determine which to do.

[Kurt in NJ]

My tank had stains around the steering bracket, I sweat soldered all around the brackets--- still dry 40+ years later

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

My tank had stains around the steering bracket, I sweat soldered all around the brackets--- still dry 40+ years later

Kurt did you do this w/ the gas tank in place? Just curious thanks.

[Synchro909]

When one of mine started to leak there, I made a '31 style support (can't buy a RHD one), then thoroughly cleaned the area and used an epoxy putty to seal it. Been fine for several years now and many thousands of miles.
I'd have the same concerns about ruining the rust resistance of the nearby metal if it were welded - as mentioned by Jeff (post #6). What say you, Brent.

[maako]

My 29 seaped arond the mount so i used aircraft fuel tank sealer PR1422B1/2

[Dollar Bill]

As previously mentioned, soldering will work providing you have the right tools and ability. If it were me, I would try an easier approach first. Remove the steering column bracket and epoxy the crack then install the later 31 bracket. Depending on the length of the seam, you may consider reinforcing the repair by embedding wire screen in the epoxy.

If it doesn't work then you can remove the tank for a more thorough repair.

Fuel Tank Repair Kit

[29Cabriolet]

I pulled the tank, removed the steering column bracket, ground down the rivets and welded what was left of the rivets in place. Then I brought it to a radiator shop that coated the inside and pressure tested. Of course, final step, I replaced the steering mount with the '31 style.

[C26Pinelake]

Have it done by a professional. The life you save may be your own! Wayne

[barnstuf]

My 1930 developed a gas seep at the steering column bracket. This was in the late 1940's and I took the car to an old time mechanic. He said go take a walk for about an hour. When I got back the leak was soldered. I secured a 1931 dash mount bracket from a junkyard car and installed it. It is now more than 65 years later with no problem.

[ian Simpson]

I would use solder. Though I never did this to a Model A tank, I have saved several motorcycle and quad tanks. A later steering bracket is probably needed as it is important to relieve any stresses that caused the leaks.

[Kurt in NJ]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

My tank had stains around the steering bracket, I sweat soldered all around the brackets--- still dry 40+ years later

It was done out of the car, borrowed 600watt iron---i redid all the soldered areas----at the age of 16 I already had several years of gas tank soldering experience having done lawnmowers and a 57 T-bird (and got paid for it)