MTFCA Forum

1926 Coupe gas tank, suggestions on sealing. Seems solid, no leaks, can see some rust inside, overflow tube works without leaks. Thanks.

What I have done is get visited a motorcycle site and used the material that they suggested. I don't remember what it was called. The tricky part is getting the tank to turn in all directions. One suggestion was to tie it to a Model T wheel with the rearend on jack stands. Start the T and let it turn the in high gear but low idle. Don't let it get out of hand apply the hand brake if needed in short spurts.

Have not had any issues in 10+ years.

Take your time and read the directions.

Steve

I used some kind of gas tank sealer from Eastwood over 10 years ago, still working.

POR market a fuel tank cleaning/sealing kit. There are three steps in the process. Mechanical cleaning of loose rust and crud, chemical treating to clean/prime the metal and then sloshing the tank to apply the sealant. It is an excellent system. I have used it three times. The oldest one is 11 years since application.

Allan from down under.

Ed Gallagher wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:32 pm

1926 Coupe gas tank, suggestions on sealing. Seems solid, no leaks, can see some rust inside, overflow tube works without leaks. Thanks.

How bad is the rust? Is there loose rust flakes or just a bit of surface rust?

I'd be very hesitant to put anything other than gas in the tank unless it's absolutely needed.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:37 am

Ed Gallagher wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:32 pm

1926 Coupe gas tank, suggestions on sealing. Seems solid, no leaks, can see some rust inside, overflow tube works without leaks. Thanks.

How bad is the rust? Is there loose rust flakes or just a bit of surface rust?

I'd be very hesitant to put anything other than gas in the tank unless it's absolutely needed.

If it aint leaking, dont screw with it. Remove any loose rust & monitor your sediment bowl.
You are more likely creating a bigger problem down the road from the tank liner coming loose & clogging the fuel system.
A different view from my experiences with coated tanks.

I'm with Jerry and speedytinc, the tank has survived and functioned for 97 years without being sealed. Will a sealer last that long? As they said, if it is not leaking and it is reasonably free of loose rust flakes, it ain't broke, don't fix it. But of course, it's your car, your choice.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 17, 2023 8:27 am

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 17, 2023 6:37 am

Ed Gallagher wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 16, 2023 7:32 pm

1926 Coupe gas tank, suggestions on sealing. Seems solid, no leaks, can see some rust inside, overflow tube works without leaks. Thanks.

How bad is the rust? Is there loose rust flakes or just a bit of surface rust?

I'd be very hesitant to put anything other than gas in the tank unless it's absolutely needed.

If it aint leaking, dont screw with it. Remove any loose rust & monitor your sediment bowl.
You are more likely creating a bigger problem down the road from the tank liner coming loose & clogging the fuel system.
A different view from my experiences with coated tanks.

I'll quote my friend Kenny here, "Don't scratch where it don't itch."

I'll go along with those who take the position that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

The T's fuel delivery system is not that finely measured and calibrated as more modern vehicles An occasional particle that can fit through the screen in the sediment bowl will cause nothing more than a hiccup.

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the input.


Ed

Glad to see this thread as I have soldered up the rust spot on my 26 tank that will be in the cowl of my speedster and I have already soaked it in the electrolysis vat for a couple weeks and the outside looks like a new dime, shined up nice, but I can't figure out how to get any loose material out of the tank with the baffles in the way.
It appears "clean" but i am positive there is stuff in there hanging around that would clog a fuel system.
So when you are spinning the tank, what is in there to rake the stuff off the sides and baffles?
This tank is in such a shape that I really don't want to put a sealer in it if I don't have to.
The experience I have had with both Kream and the Red Coat stuff, I don't want to use it.
My friends 39 Chevy had that Kreame in the tank and sheets of it would get sucked into the fuel filter and you would have to swap filters all the time. The Red Coat, if you use Stabil or Startron, it will devour the Red coat,and cause it to get into the carb,valves,and make a heck of a mess.

Mack, I used a couple of pounds of Tek screws to shift the loose stuff. You can count them into the tank if you want, but at emptying time, you can still hear strays rattling. I rotated my tank in a concrete mixer for 20 minutes or so. Then I was ready for the POR treatment.

Allan from down under.

I used water +Dawn blue dish soap + one box of drywall screws. SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE! My neighbor does motorcycle gas tanks and told me that drywall screws have sharper sides and points to help knock the crud off